David Kushner

Joe found his calling in the Federal and State courtrooms of North Carolina over 40 years ago. He has worked as a trial attorney ever since. He is familiar with many of the insurance professionals, defense lawyers, and trial judges that handle these cases in our state. "We only accept cases we think are meritorious and then prosecute those cases with vigor and passion born of a clear conscience." "Seeking justice in an unjust world" is Joe's professional motto. For the plaintiff, truth is our...

Roger W. Smith, Jr., was born in Raleigh, North Carolina and attended the Raleigh public schools. He received a Bachelor of Arts degree in English from the University of North Carolina in 1991. While at UNC he was inducted into the Order of Gimghoul. After college, Mr. Smith moved to Wyoming where, during a period of about two years, he learned to hand-make rough white-pine furniture in the Western tradition. He returned to North Carolina and co-founded Appalachian Designs, a company through ...

Julianne Rothert is a North Carolina family law attorney with Triangle Smart Divorce in Cary, North Carolina . She is board certified as a specialist in Family Law by the North Carolina State Bar Board of Legal Specialization and represents clients in a wide range of family law matters, including divorce, child custody, child support, spousal support, property division, mediation, and negotiated settlements. Originally from Conway, South Carolina, Julianne earned her Bachelor of Science in Ac...

3 Things to Know About Matthew Healey: He is a North Carolina State Bar Board Certified Specialist in Workers’ Compensation Law. He has been recognized by Best Lawyers as “Lawyer of the Year” in Raleigh for 2015, 2017, and 2022 and for inclusion on the “Best Lawyers” list for 2013-2026.* He previously represented employers and insurance companies, giving him valuable insight into the defense side of workers’ comp claims. Matthew Healey is a Partner at the L...

James S. Farrin is a lawyer recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice areas of Mass Tort Litigation / Class Actions - Plaintiffs and Workers' Compensation Law - Claimants. James S. practices law in Durham, North Carolina Best Lawyers has recognized James S. Farrin since 2027. The Best Lawyers recognition is based on a peer-review survey of lawyers in the same geographic region and legal practice area. The recognition reflects the professional regard in which James S. Farrin is held by other ...

Originally from Michigan, Carolyn Murchison moved to North Carolina after obtaining her undergraduate degree from the University of California, Berkeley. She received her law degree with honors from the University of North Carolina, where she was an editor of North Carolina Journal of International Law and Commercial Regulation, a Daniel H. Pollitt Fellow and a member of the James E. and Carolyn B. Davis Society. Prior to joining Tharrington Smith in 2000, Ms. Murchison was a policy analyst f...

Jessica L. Elliott is a lawyer recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area of Real Estate Law. Jessica L. practices law in Raleigh, North Carolina Best Lawyers has recognized Jessica L. Elliott since 2021. The Best Lawyers recognition is based on a peer-review survey of lawyers in the same geographic region and legal practice area. The recognition reflects the professional regard in which Jessica L. Elliott is held by other lawyers.

Joseph Schouten is a lawyer recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice areas of Commercial Litigation and Litigation - Intellectual Property. Joseph practices law in Raleigh, North Carolina Best Lawyers has recognized Joseph Schouten since 2026. The Best Lawyers recognition is based on a peer-review survey of lawyers in the same geographic region and legal practice area. The recognition reflects the professional regard in which Joseph Schouten is held by other lawyers.

Drew Patty is a partner with Phelps Dunbar, LLP in the firm's Intellectual Property and Cybersecurity Groups. He also leads the firm's Artificial Intelligence Working Group. With 30 years of experience in a broad range of transactional intellectual property matters and related litigation, he also has a growing AI and data privacy practice. His chemical patent experience includes patent preparation and prosecution in the fields of oilfield proppants and other downhole chemicals, refinery catal...

Lainie focuses her practice on complex civil litigation involving transportation and general liability matters. She also has significant experience defending medical professionals and attorneys in malpractice matters. She has argued issues of first impression before the Pennsylvania Superior Court (Middle District) and has successfully defended general liability matters before a jury, receiving a non-suit on behalf of a hospital client. She has significant experience in ADR of vehicle, genera...