James H. Cooke Jr.

Paul Holscher is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Employment Law - Management and Litigation - Labor and Employment. Paul, who practices law in Raleigh, North Carolina, has been recognized since 2018. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Paul is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Jennifer Giordano-Coltart Ph.D. is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Biotechnology and Life Sciences Practice and Patent Law. Jennifer, who practices law in Raleigh, North Carolina, has been recognized since 2022. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Jennifer is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

David Mannheim is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Venture Capital Law. David, 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 David is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

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...

William S. Cherry III is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Commercial Litigation, Construction Law, Employment Law - Management, Insurance Law, Litigation - Insurance, Litigation - Labor and Employment and Litigation - Real Estate. William S., who practices law in Raleigh, North Carolina, has been recognized since 2018. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which William S. is held by other top lawyers i...

Melissa Hill is a native of Asheville, North Carolina. She received her B.A. degree, magna cum laude, as a member of Phi Beta Kappa, from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill in 1984. She also attended law school at UNC, where she was admitted to the Order of the Coif, was on the North Carolina Law Review and received her J.D. with honors in 1987. Ms. Hill is the author of Tennessee v. Garner - The Use of Deadly Force to Arrest as an Unreasonable Search and Seizure, 65 N.C.L. Rev. ...

Holly Mills is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Real Estate Law. Holly, who practices law in Raleigh, North Carolina, has been recognized since 2025. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Holly is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Steve Mansbery joined Tharrington Smith in 2006 after earning his law degree from Case Western Reserve University. Prior to law school, Mr. Mansbery attended the University of Kentucky, where he earned his undergraduate degree in Finance, with Departmental Honors, and graduated magna cum laude. Mr. Mansbery has been appointed to the Wake County Bar Association and the Tenth Judicial District Bar Professionalism Committee every year since 2009. He was recognized as a "Rising Star" in North Car...

James B. Black IV is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Workers' Compensation Law - Employers. James B., who practices law in Raleigh, North Carolina, has been recognized since 2018. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which James B. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Don Beskind’s trial practice focuses on car and truck crash cases, medical and legal malpractice, and business torts. He is also a Professor of the Practice at Duke Law School. Don served on the American Association for Justice's Board of Governors and professional education committee - the National College of Advocacy, has been a Program Director for the National Institute of Trial Advocacy, has authored case files for AAJ and NITA and is a co-author of North Carolina Evidentiary Found...