J. Nicholas "Nick" Ellis

Robert H. Griffin is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Litigation - Insurance. Robert H., 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 Robert H. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Patrick Johnson is a business and transaction lawyer. For more than twenty years, including eight years with large New York and international law firms, he has counseled clients on M&A, securities, financing and commercial matters. Patrick has extensive experience representing clients in the sale or purchase of a business. He negotiates and advises on deal terms, representations and warranties, covenants, indemnification and survival provisions, exclusivity arrangements, and other key ter...

C.D. Taylor Pace is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Workers' Compensation Law - Employers. C.D. Taylor, who practices law in Raleigh, North Carolina, has been recognized since 2006. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which C.D. Taylor is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

“Chris is just really willing to get in and get the job done. He understands the need to balance costs against trial preparation. He’s also willing to say, this isn’t my area, let me refer you to somebody else.” The above quote, from a national construction client with outside counsel in nearly every state, was shared with Thomson Reuters, the company behind Westlaw, during its global research with senior in-house counsel to identify top-performing lawyers in private p...

Ms. Lang represents insurance carriers, individual defendants and corporate defendants. She has been named 2025 Best Lawyers in America for Insurance Law, Insurance Litigation, and Construction Litigation. Prior to working at Wall Templeton, Ms. Lang has worked for both insurance defense and plaintiff’s firms and brings an unique perspective and broad-based litigation experience to the firm. Ms. Lang received her J.D. from the Marshall-Wythe School of Law at the College of William and M...

Mark L. Hearp is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Criminal Defense: General Practice and DUI / DWI Defense. Mark L., who practices law in Fayetteville, North Carolina, has been recognized since 2025. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Mark L. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Hunt grew up in the mountains of North Carolina. After receiving his undergraduate degree from Appalachian State University, Hunt was commissioned as an officer in the United States Army, where he served as a captain. He is a former intelligence officer and veteran of the Iraq War. Hunt’s practice focuses on representing real people who have been harmed by the negligence of others, including from tractor-trailer collisions, car wrecks, defective products and construction accidents. He h...

Patrick M. Mincey is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Criminal Defense: White-Collar. Patrick M., 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 Patrick M. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Randolph Fletcher is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Business Organizations (including LLCs and Partnerships), Corporate Law, Mergers and Acquisitions Law, Real Estate Law and Tax Law. Randolph, who practices law in Durham, North Carolina, has been recognized since 2020. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Randolph is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Donna Renfrow Rutala, B.S.N., J.D., practices in the areas of medical malpractice defense litigation and health law. In her work, Donna represents hospitals, physicians, and other health care providers in civil litigation as well as administrative proceedings. She also advises hospitals on health law and employment law issues. Donna has trial experience in both the federal and state courts of North Carolina and has appeared before various administrative tribunals including the North Carolina ...