Hope Derby Carmichael

Luther D. (Lew) Starling, Jr. is a life-long resident of Clinton, North Carolina. He attended Clinton High School where he served as President of his senior class and President of the Future Farmers of America. He graduated from Campbell University in 1987 with a bachelor's degree in Business Administration. While at Campbell, Lew served as President of the Adam Smith Club, the university's second largest student organization. 1n 1990, he earned his Juris Doctor degree from Wake Forest Univer...

Hill Allen is a partner in the firm and handles a broad range of civil and criminal litigation. His practice areas and past cases include: White Collar Criminal Defense and Government Investigations, criminal, civil and regulatory – defending those under investigation or charged by federal and state law enforcement and administrative agencies. Mr. Allen has represented entities and individuals in investigations by federal grand juries in North Carolina and other states, as well as feder...

J. Heydt Philbeck concentrates his practice on complex civil litigation in the areas of civil rights, employment law, commercial litigation, contract disputes, unfair business practices, state and federal personnel law, constitutional law, and occupational licensing. Mr. Philbeck is an experienced trial advocate who has tried over 100 jury and bench trials to verdict. He has successfully represented clients before the North Carolina Supreme Court, the North Carolina Court of Appeals and the U...

T. Shawn Howard is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Personal Injury Litigation - Plaintiffs. T. Shawn, who practices law in Raleigh, North Carolina, has been recognized since 2026. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which T. Shawn is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

David R. Fricke is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Real Estate Law. David R., who practices law in Raleigh, North Carolina, has been recognized since 2011. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which David R. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

3 Things to Know About Susan Vanderweert: She is a North Carolina State Bar Board Certified Specialist in Workers’ Compensation Law. She holds a Martindale-Hubbell AV Preeminent Rating.* She was honored with a North Carolina Bar Association Citizen Lawyer Award for 2024. Susan Vanderweert is a Partner at the Law Offices of James Scott Farrin , where she concentrates her practice on workers’ compensation law . She represents injured workers across North Carolina and draws upon her ...

Sarah Blount is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Construction Law and Litigation - Construction. Sarah, who practices law in Tarboro, North Carolina, has been recognized since 2026. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Sarah is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Gary Jackson* is a name many attorneys in North Carolina know. He has been president of the North Carolina Advocates for Justice and has held leadership positions in several other national and state organizations. He is frequently asked to speak throughout the country at educational programs for lawyers and he regularly authors articles addressing current legal trends and developments. His 40+ year career is marked by many awards, with 24 of those years spent fighting for plaintiffs in numero...

“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...

Mr. Keen has practiced labor and employment law in the Raleigh office of Ogletree Deakins since 1987. His practice has included employment litigation in state and federal courts, representing clients before the National Labor Relations Board and advising clients on equal employment opportunity and wage and hour issues. He has successfully litigated cases to defense verdicts in employment discrimination cases. He has also litigated matters involving ERISA, non-competition and trade secrets, wo...