Hayes S. Ludlum

Merrill's practice experience encompasses a broad range of business law matters, including start-up businesses, business transfers and acquisitions, transactional matters, and tax matters. He has extensive experience representing contractors, design professionals, and project owners in drafting and negotiating construction, design, and design/build contracts. His practice also includes the representation of health care organizations and their owners in corporate, transactional, and merger and...

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...

Dan Smith focuses his law practice on matters involving environmental, commercial, education, and state constitutional law. A former educator and environmental scientist, Dan represents businesses, boards of education, and individuals in state, federal, administrative, and appellate courts. Dan uses his scientific training and background to help clients solve complex problems related to environmental laws, frequently working as part of a larger Brooks Pierce team. Dan has represented and advi...

With over forty years of experience in litigation, John’s primary focus is on helping individuals and families who need his experience to navigate estate, trust or guardianship issues. He also works with businesses in evaluating contracts and handling commercial disputes. John’s experience representing individuals and families includes helping them navigate the difficult issues relating to the death of a family member, disputes arising out of an estate plan or will contest, and is...

Charles L. Steel IV is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Corporate Law, Litigation and Controversy - Tax, Tax Law and Trusts and Estates. Charles L., who practices law in Durham, North Carolina, has been recognized since 2010. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Charles L. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Timothy S. Riordan is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Workers' Compensation Law - Employers. Timothy S., who practices law in Raleigh, North Carolina, has been recognized since 2005. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Timothy S. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Clay C. Wheeler is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Commercial Litigation and Litigation - Securities. Clay C., who practices law in Raleigh, North Carolina, has been recognized since 2016. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Clay C. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

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...

Caren Enloe is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Bankruptcy and Creditor Debtor Rights / Insolvency and Reorganization Law. Caren, 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 Caren is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Jaye Meyer is listed in the Best Lawyers in America® and North Carolina Super Lawyers®. She has been recognized by Business North Carolina magazine as one of the "Legal Elite" in North Carolina. Ms. Meyer is a Board Certified Specialist in Family Law, a Fellow in the American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers, and is certified as a Family Financial Mediator. Ms. Meyer was admitted to the North Carolina Bar in 1990. She received her B.A. cum laude from Wake Forest University and her J.D. ...