Deborah Sperati

Benjamin W. Smith is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Environmental Law. Benjamin W., who practices law in Raleigh, North Carolina, has been recognized since 2025. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Benjamin W. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

A seasoned litigator and counselor, Mark represents businesses and trade associations, with particular expertise in media and communications law. For some clients, he provides specialized regulatory, legislative, corporate, or litigation work. For others, he serves an outside general counsel role. Throughout his career, Mark has developed a capacity for solving complex problems that have stymied others. Mark’s principal clients are media and communications enterprises, such as digital m...

Jeffrey J. Goebel is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Corporate Law and Real Estate Law. Jeffrey J., who practices law in Raleigh, North Carolina, has been recognized since 2022. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Jeffrey J. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Jeff is an experienced workers’ compensation litigator serving the healthcare, hospitality and retail, manufacturing, professional services, and transportation industries among others. Jeff represents employers, third-party administrators and insurers throughout all stages of litigation, including appeals and subrogation lien recovery. Jeff also advises employers on matters involving employment discrimination and harassment, employee discipline and termination, workplace safety and OSHA...

Paul leads the Creditors' Rights Practice Group and is certified by the American Board of Certification and the North Carolina State Bar as a Board Certified Specialist in Business and Consumer Bankruptcy Law. His practice experience encompasses bankruptcy, collections, creditors' rights, and lender liability. He concentrates his practice in the representation of creditors in complex bankruptcy cases and state court collection litigation, including workouts, reorganizations, and contested mat...

Holly Mills is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Real Estate Law. Holly, who practices law in Raleigh, North Carolina, has been recognized since 2025. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Holly is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Robert 'Chip' Younce Jr. is a partner at Younce & Vtipil, P.A. Chip is a board certified North Carolina workers’ compensation lawyer and a member of the Association of Trial Lawyers of America, the North Carolina Advocates for Justice, the Workplace Injury Litigation Group, the North Carolina Bar Association, and the Wake County Bar Association. He has been heavily involved in church and community service throughout his career. Chip currently serves as bishop of the Cary Second Ward...

Dan L. O'Korn is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Biotechnology and Life Sciences Practice. Dan L., 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 Dan L. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Howard Cummings is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Criminal Defense: General Practice. Howard, 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 Howard is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

John W. Narron has been practicing law in North Carolina since 1977 and has been a partner with Smith Debnam since 1987. Mr. Narron’s practice consists of litigation, arbitration, mediation and business transactions. For 30 years, Mr. Narron has provided advice and litigation services to clients in central and eastern North Carolina in all manner of civil disputes frequently involving equitable distribution proceedings, alimony trials, will caveats, employment disputes, personal injury ...