Heather Baker

Jeffrey A. Poley is a lawyer recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area of Public Finance Law. Jeffrey A. practices law in Raleigh, North Carolina Best Lawyers has recognized Jeffrey A. Poley since 2010. 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 Jeffrey A. Poley is held by other lawyers.

Byron L. Saintsing is a lawyer recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice areas of Banking and Finance Law and Commercial Litigation. Byron L. practices law in Raleigh, North Carolina Best Lawyers has recognized Byron L. Saintsing since 2016. 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 Byron L. Saintsing is held by other lawyers.

3 Things to Know About Doug Berger: He served as Deputy Commissioner at the North Carolina Industrial Commission for 10 years. He was named to the “Best Lawyers” list for Workers’ Compensation Law by Best Lawyers , 2021-2026.* He served as a North Carolina State Senator for four terms. Douglas E. Berger is a Partner at the Law Offices of James Scott Farrin and a North Carolina State Bar Board Certified Specialist in Workers’ Compensation Law . His approach to the law h...

G. Ryan Willis is a lawyer recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice areas of Criminal Defense: White-Collar and DUI / DWI Defense. G. Ryan practices law in Raleigh, North Carolina Best Lawyers has recognized G. Ryan Willis since 2016. 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 G. Ryan Willis is held by other lawyers.

Mr. Schilawski is a partner in the law firm of Wake Family Law Group in Raleigh, North Carolina. He received his B.A. degree from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill in 1971, his M.Ed. degree from North Carolina State University in 1976 and his J.D. degree from Campbell University in 1982. He served as Editor-in-Chief of the Campbell Law Review. Mr. Schilawski's principal area of practice is family law. In 1989, he was board certified as a specialist in family law by the North Car...

Elizabeth advises and defends health care providers in matters involving patient care issues and risk management issues. She has successfully handled numerous medical malpractice cases and has taken many of them to trial. She has obtained numerous defense verdicts in cases of alleged medical malpractice, a few of which are summarized on her “Milestones” page. Many of these cases involved catastrophic injury or death. Elizabeth represents clients before the North Carolina Medical B...

3 Things to Know About Tom Wilmoth: He leads the firm’s litigation team handling mass torts, multidistrict litigation, and consumer class actions. He has been recognized by Best Lawyers on the Consumer Protection Law list (2025–2026).* He brings prior experience in complex corporate defense litigation, including product liability matters. Tom Wilmoth is a Partner at the Law Offices of James Scott Farrin , where he focuses on complex litigation , including mass torts, federal multi...

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...

Alice C. Stubbs is a partner in the firm. She joined Tharrington Smith in 2006 after completing eight years as a Wake County District Court judge. First appointed in 1997 by Governor Jim Hunt, she was elected to the judgeship in 1998 and 2002. During her time on the bench, Ms. Stubbs presided in domestic court; was certified as a juvenile judge in 2001; and was designated as a family court judge from 2002 through 2005. Ms. Stubbs is a native of New Bern. She graduated from Phillips Academy in...

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...