Elizabeth Spainhour

Thurston Debnam is one of the founding partners of Smith Debnam Narron Drake Saintsing & Myers, L.L.P. Thurston is the Section Head of the Business Law practice group and served as the firm’s managing partner from 1992 through 1997. He concentrates his practice in the areas of business and corporate planning and real estate law, including land use planning and zoning. For more than thirty years, Thurston has maintained a broad-based business practice, assisting clients with business...

“Charlie was the ultimate service provider. He is vastly experienced and had a great understanding of our issues. He was the best to deal with in every way.” – Client quote in Chambers USA Charlie Mercer focuses his practice on state and local tax controversies (SALT), including property tax, sales and use tax, and corporate and individual income tax. Charlie has extensive experience representing taxpayers in real property and business personal property tax appeals across No...

Gavin Parsons is an experienced attorney representing many clients—from large corporations to local businesses and individuals—in high-stakes civil litigation in state and federal courts, including the North Carolina Business Court. Known for his practical, results-driven style, Gavin employs a strategic approach and creative thinking to deliver solutions clients need in a manner they appreciate. With a practice centered on both business and intellectual property litigation, Gavin...

With an extensive trial résumé, Brian centers his practice on insurance coverage analysis and litigation, insurance bad faith and extra-contractual litigation, insurance regulatory matters including representation of the North Carolina Rate Bureau and the North Carolina Reinsurance Facility, the defense of transportation liability claims involving large commercial trucks and buses, medical negligence cases and products liability litigation. Brian has litigated cases to verdict i...

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.

Who is Angela McIlveen? Angela McIlveen is a North Carolina Board Certified Specialist in Family Law, trial attorney, and CEO and Co-Founder of McIlveen Family Law Firm . She represents clients in complex divorce, equitable distribution, alimony, child custody, and other family law matters throughout North Carolina. Her practice is particularly focused on high-net-worth divorce and cases involving closely held businesses, real estate, investments, retirement assets, executive compensation, an...

Holly B. Martin is a lawyer recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area of Trusts and Estates. Holly B. practices law in Durham, North Carolina Best Lawyers has recognized Holly B. Martin 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 Holly B. Martin is held by other lawyers.

Bob deRosset serves clients primarily in the fields of construction, business, and product liability law. He tries cases at the state and federal level in North and South Carolina. He is certified by the North Carolina Dispute Resolution Commission to conduct mediated settlement conferences in Superior Court cases and uses his perspective as a seasoned litigator to assist parties to voluntarily resolve their disputes through mediation. Bob has also completed collaborative law training and adv...

T. Shawn Howard is a lawyer recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area of Personal Injury Litigation - Plaintiffs. T. Shawn practices law in Raleigh, North Carolina Best Lawyers has recognized T. Shawn Howard 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 T. Shawn Howard is held by other lawyers.

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...