Derek A. Sutton

Lynn Burleson is a native of Albemarle, North Carolina. He was admitted to the practice of law in North Carolina after receiving his Bachelor of Arts and Master of Public Administration degrees from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, and his Juris Doctor degree from the Wake Forest University School of Law. Before joining Tharrington Smith, Mr. Burleson served as a district court judge and was a partner in the law firm of Kilpatrick Stockton. He has served as an adjunct professo...

3 Things to Know About Elizabeth Ligon Noriega : She is a North Carolina State Bar Board Certified Specialist in Workers’ Compensation Law. She has been recognized on the “Best Lawyers” list for Workers’ Compensation Law – Claimants (2025–2026).* She brings more than a decade of experience representing employers and insurers in workers’ compensation cases. Elizabeth Ligon Noriega is a Partner at the Law Offices of James Scott Farrin , where she focuse...

Stephen H. Smalley is a lawyer recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area of Immigration Law. Stephen H. practices law in Raleigh, North Carolina Best Lawyers has recognized Stephen H. Smalley 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 Stephen H. Smalley is held by other lawyers.

Evan is a litigator who works predominantly in the area of construction law. He represents and advises contractors, subcontractors, owners, and design professionals in all stages of the construction and development process. His experience includes drafting and negotiating construction, design, and design/build contracts. Additionally, he represents owners, contractors, and subcontractors in a variety of civil litigation matters. Evan, a Lumberton, North Carolina-native, earned his bachelor's ...

Kathleen B. Coyle is a lawyer recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice areas of Eminent Domain and Condemnation Law and Real Estate Law. Kathleen B. practices law in Raleigh, North Carolina Best Lawyers has recognized Kathleen B. Coyle 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 Kathleen B. Coyle is held by other lawyers.

Steven Bader is a lawyer recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area of Appellate Practice. Steven practices law in Raleigh, North Carolina Best Lawyers has recognized Steven Bader since 2025. 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 Steven Bader is held by other lawyers.

Shirley M. Diefenbach is a partner/member of the law firm of Walker, Lambe, PLLC, where she primarily practices in the areas of Estate Planning, Elder Law and Trust & Estate Administration. Ms. Diefenbach is also the managing partner of the Trust & Estate Administration department within the law firm. For over forty years, Walker Lambe, PLLC has served its clients, in the areas of Estate planning, Trust Administration, Probate, Taxation, Estate and Trust Disputes, Planning for childre...

Marcia Armstrong is a partner in the firm The Armstrong Law Firm, P.A., in Smithfield, North Carolina. She was admitted to practice in North Carolina in 1983 after receiving her bachelor’s degree in 1980 from Salem College and her J.D. degree from Wake Forest University in 1983. She has also served as an adjunct professor of law for the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill School of Law. Ms. Armstrong’s practice is limited to family law. In 1989, she was certified by the No...

Mr. Coltrain practices primarily in the field of construction law, providing legal advice, litigation services, and assistance in regulatory compliance efforts. Prior to practicing law, Mr. Coltrain graduated summa cum laude with a Bachelor of Science degree in Chemical Engineering and worked for five years as a project engineer in the nuclear and plastics industry. Mr. Coltrain was the 2013-2014 Chair of the Construction Law Section of the North Carolina Bar Association and is, currently, th...

Phillip Cowan is a lawyer recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area of Family Law. Phillip practices law in Raleigh, North Carolina Best Lawyers has recognized Phillip Cowan 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 Phillip Cowan is held by other lawyers.