J. Dickson Phillips III

Drew Patty is a partner with Phelps Dunbar, LLP in the firm's Intellectual Property and Cybersecurity Groups. He also leads the firm's Artificial Intelligence Working Group. With 30 years of experience in a broad range of transactional intellectual property matters and related litigation, he also has a growing AI and data privacy practice. His chemical patent experience includes patent preparation and prosecution in the fields of oilfield proppants and other downhole chemicals, refinery catal...

John W. Narron has been practicing law in North Carolina since 1977 and has been a partner with Smith Debnam since 1987. Mr. Narron’s practice consists of litigation, arbitration, mediation and business transactions. For 30 years, Mr. Narron has provided advice and litigation services to clients in central and eastern North Carolina in all manner of civil disputes frequently involving equitable distribution proceedings, alimony trials, will caveats, employment disputes, personal injury ...

Dieter Mauch is a lawyer recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice areas of Employment Law - Management and Litigation - Labor and Employment. Dieter practices law in Durham, North Carolina Best Lawyers has recognized Dieter Mauch 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 Dieter Mauch is held by other lawyers.

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.

James C. Thornton is a lawyer recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice areas of Litigation - Municipal and Personal Injury Litigation - Defendants. James C. practices law in Raleigh, North Carolina Best Lawyers has recognized James C. Thornton 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 James C. Thornton is held by other lawyers.

John Zaloom brings more than 20 years of experience to his employment and litigation clients. He advises clients on day-to-day employment issues and assists them when litigation is necessary. John also litigates complex and high stakes business disputes, intellectual property disputes, First Amendment litigation, and healthcare credentialing issues. John’s employment litigation experience includes disputes involving restrictive covenants, trade secrets, discrimination claims, Fair Labor...

Michael focuses his practice on the field of complex civil litigation with an emphasis on the prosecution of trucking and transportation cases. He also represents landowners whose property is being taken by eminent domain. He has extensive experience litigating wrongful death and catastrophic injury claims and has spoken nationally and internationally on topics related to trucking litigation, including best practices for post-accident investigation and evidence preservation. Prior to forming ...

Whitney Brownlow is a lawyer recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area of Employment Law - Management. Whitney practices law in Raleigh, North Carolina Best Lawyers has recognized Whitney Brownlow 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 Whitney Brownlow is held by other lawyers.

Noah H. Huffstetler III is a lawyer recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice areas of Administrative / Regulatory Law, Appellate Practice, Commercial Litigation, Health Care Law, Litigation - Antitrust and Litigation - Regulatory Enforcement (SEC, Telecom, Energy). Noah H. practices law in Raleigh, North Carolina Best Lawyers has recognized Noah H. Huffstetler III since 1991. The Best Lawyers recognition is based on a peer-review survey of lawyers in the same geographic region and legal pra...

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...