J. Dickson Phillips III

With a career that has included in-house patent counsel positions at GlaxoSmithKline and Targacept, Inc. (now Catalyst Biosciences), Amy Fix understands the core business issues her clients face. She has spent many years helping clients protect pharmaceutical, agricultural and polymer technologies, and is notably skilled in the growing sector of small-molecule drug development. Amy’s clients range from large international pharmaceutical corporations to smaller companies producing innova...

Jack Cummings is counsel in the Federal Tax Group of Alston & Bird in Raleigh and Washington, D.C. He served as IRS associate chief counsel (corporate) and chair of the Corporate Tax Committee of the ABA Section of Taxation. His books include The American Jobs Creation Act of 2004 (with Robert Hanson), The Supreme Court’s Federal Tax Jurisprudence published by the American Bar Association in 2010 and The Supreme Court, Federal Taxation and the Constitution , published by the America...

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...

Michael W. Ballance is a lawyer recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area of Workers' Compensation Law - Employers. Michael W. practices law in Raleigh, North Carolina Best Lawyers has recognized Michael W. Ballance 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 Michael W. Ballance is held by other lawyers.

Rose Stout, a partner with the firm, is a highly respected attorney, characterized by humility, strength, compassion and a proven ability to effectively advocate for her clients.With over 20 years of experience, Rose represents clients in all aspects of family law, including divorce, custody, property division, child support and alimony. She has been a Board Certified Family Law Specialist by the North Carolina State Bar Board of Legal Specialization since 1991, with extensive trial experienc...

Maria P. Wood is the Managing Partner in our Raleigh office and specializes in medical malpractice, aging services, correctional health care, professional malpractice and ethics, appellate, and general liability matters. In her more than twenty year legal career, she has gained significant litigation and trial experience. Maria has devoted her career to the representation of health care providers. These providers include hospital systems, long-term care facilities (skilled nursing and assiste...

Jeffrey R. Russell is a Board Certified Specialist in Family Law and a partner in the Family Law section at Tharrington Smith, LLP. His practice is concentrated in family law and appeals. Jeff earned his undergraduate degree in political science from Furman University and subsequently graduated magna cum laude from the Norman Adrian Wiggins School of Law at Campbell University. Before joining the firm in 2013, he clerked for the Honorable John C. Martin, Chief Judge of the North Carolina Cour...

Attorney Blake H. Larsen joined Raleigh Divorce Law Firm in June 2015 and focuses exclusively on Family Law matters in North Carolina. Based in Raleigh, North Carolina, Blake represents clients in divorce , child custody , child support , spousal support, equitable distribution , domestic violence matters, separation agreements, mediation, and other family law disputes. He works with individuals and families throughout the legal process and strives to help clients pursue practical and constru...

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

Kristin H. Ruth is a lawyer recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice areas of Family Law and Family Law Mediation. Kristin H. practices law in Raleigh, North Carolina Best Lawyers has recognized Kristin H. Ruth 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 Kristin H. Ruth is held by other lawyers.