H. Hunter Bruton

John R. Owen is a lawyer recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area of Patent Law. John R. practices law in Cary, North Carolina Best Lawyers has recognized John R. Owen 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 John R. Owen is held by other lawyers.

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

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

David A. Rhoades is a lawyer recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area of Workers' Compensation Law - Employers. David A. practices law in Raleigh, North Carolina Best Lawyers has recognized David A. Rhoades since 2013. 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 David A. Rhoades is held by other lawyers.

Steve Long leads the firm's Tax and Employee Benefits practice. He has extensive experience working with employers in banking, retail, and technology to establish and maintain retirement plans, executive compensation agreements, stock incentive plans and other employee benefits. Steve also advises charities and other tax-exempt organizations regarding their IRC 403(b) and IRC 457 retirement plans, as well as issues related to compliance with Internal Revenue Service and state regulations conc...

Charles is one of the firm's Managing Directors. His practice experience encompasses federal and state court litigation in various areas, including claims for wrongful death and serious personal injury. He has also litigated numerous cases involving complex insurance coverage issues, products liability, and professional malpractice. Charles is a frequent lecturer and has written extensively on a wide range of litigation topics, including "The Nuts and Bolts of Coverage Under the Homeowner Pol...

“Chris is just really willing to get in and get the job done. He understands the need to balance costs against trial preparation. He’s also willing to say, this isn’t my area, let me refer you to somebody else.” The above quote, from a national construction client with outside counsel in nearly every state, was shared with Thomson Reuters, the company behind Westlaw, during its global research with senior in-house counsel to identify top-performing lawyers in private p...

Bryan Skelton’s clients rely on his years of experience in intellectual property counseling and his focus on developing, executing, and enforcing worldwide market exclusivity strategies for their core assets. Pharmaceutical, chemical, and biotechnology companies of all sizes call on Bryan for portfolio growth, management and acquisition, due diligences, and strategic partnering. Bryan focuses his practice on advising pharmaceutical companies and research institutions on complex legal is...

Jason’s field experience as a chemist and his years as a patent agent allow him to offer his clients a comprehensive view of the patent drafting and acquisition process. In particular, his technical knowledge in small molecule chemistry, organic and analytical chemistry, and chemical engineering have benefited his clients. Jason focuses his practice on all services relating to patent application drafting and prosecution, patentability opinions, and freedom-to-operate opinions. Jason pre...

David Courie is one of Cumberland and Hoke County's best known and relied upon trial lawyers. David is a Fayetteville native with deep roots in the region. He is the son of a well-known small businessman and a highly regarded and loved, 40 year veteran school teacher. David joined the firm in 1997 as an associate to founding partner Jerry Beaver, following his work in Washington D.C., as a Special Assistant to North Carolina's Senior Senator and his completion of law school at Campbell Univer...