David D. Beatty

Carl E. Sanders is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Patent Law. Carl E., who practices law in Raleigh, North Carolina, has been recognized since 2021. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Carl E. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Beth Ferebee Atkins is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Real Estate Law. Beth Ferebee, who practices law in Raleigh, North Carolina, has been recognized since 2024. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Beth Ferebee is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Charles is one of the firm's Managing Directors. His practice experience encompasses federal and state court litigation in various areas, including claims for wrongful death and serious personal injury. He has also litigated numerous cases involving complex insurance coverage issues, products liability, and professional malpractice. Charles is a frequent lecturer and has written extensively on a wide range of litigation topics, including "The Nuts and Bolts of Coverage Under the Homeowner Pol...

Stephen T. Byrd is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Business Organizations (including LLCs and Partnerships), Closely Held Companies and Family Businesses Law, Corporate Law, Mergers and Acquisitions Law, Tax Law and Trusts and Estates. Stephen T., who practices law in Raleigh, North Carolina, has been recognized since 2018. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Stephen T. is held by other top law...

In joining Hardison & Cochran in 2008, Joel Jackson Hardison made a transition from defending insurance companies in Workers Compensation cases to representing injured and disabled workers. He applies the insights he gained from representing insurance companies to assist the injured workers he represents. There is little doubt about which type of practice he prefers. Hardison received a B.A. degree in journalism from the University of North Carolina in 1999 and a J.D. from the UNC School ...

Ms. Lang represents insurance carriers, individual defendants and corporate defendants. She has been named 2025 Best Lawyers in America for Insurance Law, Insurance Litigation, and Construction Litigation. Prior to working at Wall Templeton, Ms. Lang has worked for both insurance defense and plaintiff’s firms and brings an unique perspective and broad-based litigation experience to the firm. Ms. Lang received her J.D. from the Marshall-Wythe School of Law at the College of William and M...

Alice C. Stubbs is a partner in the firm. She joined Tharrington Smith in 2006 after completing eight years as a Wake County District Court judge. First appointed in 1997 by Governor Jim Hunt, she was elected to the judgeship in 1998 and 2002. During her time on the bench, Ms. Stubbs presided in domestic court; was certified as a juvenile judge in 2001; and was designated as a family court judge from 2002 through 2005. Ms. Stubbs is a native of New Bern. She graduated from Phillips Academy in...

Mary Aiken Barrow is a Board Certified Specialist in Family Law. Ms. Barrow earned her undergraduate degree in psychology from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill in 2006 and subsequently received her law degree from the Norman Adrian Wiggins School of Law at Campbell University in 2012. During her time at Campbell Law School, Ms. Barrow served as a member and as submissions co-editor of the Law Review. Additionally, she was a family law research assistant for Professor Jean Cary ...

Thomas I. Lyon is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Closely Held Companies and Family Businesses Law and Corporate Law. Thomas I., who practices law in Raleigh, North Carolina, has been recognized since 2019. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Thomas I. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

David Coats is the firm's co-managing partner and senior litigation partner. He has been recognized by and peer selected for each of the past 14 years for inclusion in The Best Lawyers in America ; Business North Carolina Magazine's Legal Elite ; and North Carolina Super Lawyers - and in a variety of areas including litigation, construction law, and insurance law. Since 1996, Martindale Hubbell has recognized David with its prestigious "AV" peer rating. In 2021 (as well as in 2019 and 2020), ...