Eddie Speas

Michael leads the Health Care practice. He counsels physicians, hospitals, and other healthcare providers on regulatory, compliance, and transactional matters. He represents all types of closely-held businesses and their owners on such issues as the formation of business entities, financing transactions, and the merger, acquisition, and sale of businesses. Additionally, Michael advises banks, automobile and tractor finance companies, shopping center owners, homeowners' associations, and suppl...

Kristin H. Ruth is a lawyer recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice areas of Family Law and Family Law Mediation. Kristin H. practices law in Raleigh, North Carolina Best Lawyers has recognized Kristin H. Ruth since 2024. 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 Kristin H. Ruth is held by other lawyers.

Leann A. Gerlach is a lawyer recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area of Workers' Compensation Law - Claimants. Leann A. practices law in Raleigh, North Carolina Best Lawyers has recognized Leann A. Gerlach since 2020. 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 Leann A. Gerlach is held by other lawyers.

Robert H. Merritt, Jr. is a lawyer recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice areas of Commercial Litigation and Tax Law. Robert H. practices law in Raleigh, North Carolina Best Lawyers has recognized Robert H. Merritt, Jr. since 2012. 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 Robert H. Merritt, Jr. is held by other lawyers.

Ellis Family Law was built to help people navigate some of life’s most personal and high-stakes moments with clarity, strategy, and genuine care. Gray Ellis is the Founder and Managing Partner of the firm, and for more than 20 years, he has helped shape the standards, culture, and approach that guide the team’s work every day. Gray is a North Carolina Board Certified Specialist in Family Law—a distinction held by fewer than 2% of family law practitioners statewide—and ...

Ben is an experienced trial lawyer who earned his law degree from The George Washington University in Washington, D.C. He was trained in trial practice at the nation’s preeminent Public Defender agency, the federally funded Public Defender Service for the District of Columbia, described by United States Attorney General Eric Holder as “the best public defender office in the country.” From 2006 to 2011, Ben worked as an attorney at the Public Defender Service in DC, including...

Jeffrey R. Russell is a Board Certified Specialist in Family Law and a partner in the Family Law section at Tharrington Smith, LLP. His practice is concentrated in family law and appeals. Jeff earned his undergraduate degree in political science from Furman University and subsequently graduated magna cum laude from the Norman Adrian Wiggins School of Law at Campbell University. Before joining the firm in 2013, he clerked for the Honorable John C. Martin, Chief Judge of the North Carolina Cour...

Michael focuses his practice on the field of complex civil litigation with an emphasis on the prosecution of trucking and transportation cases. He also represents landowners whose property is being taken by eminent domain. He has extensive experience litigating wrongful death and catastrophic injury claims and has spoken nationally and internationally on topics related to trucking litigation, including best practices for post-accident investigation and evidence preservation. Prior to forming ...

With a career that has included in-house patent counsel positions at GlaxoSmithKline and Targacept, Inc. (now Catalyst Biosciences), Amy Fix understands the core business issues her clients face. She has spent many years helping clients protect pharmaceutical, agricultural and polymer technologies, and is notably skilled in the growing sector of small-molecule drug development. Amy’s clients range from large international pharmaceutical corporations to smaller companies producing innova...

Gene A. Riddle is a lawyer recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area of Workers' Compensation Law - Claimants. Gene A. practices law in Goldsboro, North Carolina Best Lawyers has recognized Gene A. Riddle 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 Gene A. Riddle is held by other lawyers.