John Kivus

Barri Hilton Payne In 2011, Barri became a Board Certified Specialist in Family Law and a Certified Family Financial Mediator. She was born in High Point, North Carolina and grew up in Davidson County. She attended the University of North Carolina at Charlotte where she majored in Religious studies and Sociology. Barri is a 1999 graduate of University of North Carolina School of Law at Chapel Hill. After twelve years as a partner in a local law firm, Barri opened her own solo family law and m...

Scott Montgomery is a lawyer recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice areas of Family Law, Family Law Arbitration and Family Law Mediation. Scott practices law in Cary, North Carolina Best Lawyers has recognized Scott Montgomery since 2021. 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 Scott Montgomery is held by other lawyers.

Joseph Alexander “Alex” Marshall is a 2015 graduate of the University of North Carolina School of Law at Chapel Hill and earned his undergraduate cum laude from the University of North Carolina at Charlotte. Alex is an AV Preeminent Peer Rated Lawyer at Martindale Hubbell. He joined the criminal defense section of DeMent Askew & Johnson in 2021. For nearly six years Alex served Wake County as an Assistant Public Defender. Over that time he gained an unparalleled level of exper...

Paul leads the Creditors' Rights Practice Group and is certified by the American Board of Certification and the North Carolina State Bar as a Board Certified Specialist in Business and Consumer Bankruptcy Law. His practice experience encompasses bankruptcy, collections, creditors' rights, and lender liability. He concentrates his practice in the representation of creditors in complex bankruptcy cases and state court collection litigation, including workouts, reorganizations, and contested mat...

Steven maintains a varied practice focusing on representing workers who have been injured on the job and people who have been injured due to the negligence of others. His practice also includes representing consumers who have been harmed by unfair or deceptive business practices. Steven started his legal career with the office of the North Carolina Attorney General, where he worked primarily defending the state of North Carolina in workers’ compensation cases, before deciding to join Ma...

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...

Adam was born and raised in New York and earned his undergraduate degree in political science from the University of Maryland. After graduation, he attended law school at the University of Minnesota in Minneapolis, where he simultaneously competed as an amateur boxer. Developing skills as a fighter required discipline, focus, and resilience - traits that have been assets in his professional life ever since. Adam moved to West Palm Beach, FL after law school and worked as an assistant public d...

Leann A. Gerlach is a lawyer recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area of Workers' Compensation Law - Claimants. Leann A. practices law in Raleigh, North Carolina Best Lawyers has recognized Leann A. Gerlach since 2020. 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 Leann A. Gerlach is held by other lawyers.

Lynn Burleson is a native of Albemarle, North Carolina. He was admitted to the practice of law in North Carolina after receiving his Bachelor of Arts and Master of Public Administration degrees from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, and his Juris Doctor degree from the Wake Forest University School of Law. Before joining Tharrington Smith, Mr. Burleson served as a district court judge and was a partner in the law firm of Kilpatrick Stockton. He has served as an adjunct professo...

Joseph Schouten is a lawyer recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice areas of Commercial Litigation and Litigation - Intellectual Property. Joseph practices law in Raleigh, North Carolina Best Lawyers has recognized Joseph Schouten 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 Joseph Schouten is held by other lawyers.