John R. Gardner

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...

3 Things to Know About Elizabeth Ligon Noriega : She is a North Carolina State Bar Board Certified Specialist in Workers’ Compensation Law. She has been recognized on the “Best Lawyers” list for Workers’ Compensation Law – Claimants (2025–2026).* She brings more than a decade of experience representing employers and insurers in workers’ compensation cases. Elizabeth Ligon Noriega is a Partner at the Law Offices of James Scott Farrin , where she focuse...

Brian D. Lake is a lawyer recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area of Workers' Compensation Law - Employers. Brian D. practices law in Raleigh, North Carolina Best Lawyers has recognized Brian D. Lake since 2009. 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 Brian D. Lake is held by other lawyers.

“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...

David Coats is the firm's co-managing partner and senior litigation partner. He has been recognized by and peer selected for each of the past 14 years for inclusion in The Best Lawyers in America ; Business North Carolina Magazine's Legal Elite ; and North Carolina Super Lawyers - and in a variety of areas including litigation, construction law, and insurance law. Since 1996, Martindale Hubbell has recognized David with its prestigious "AV" peer rating. In 2021 (as well as in 2019 and 2020), ...

Brian M. Ricci is a lawyer recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice areas of Personal Injury Litigation - Plaintiffs and Workers' Compensation Law - Claimants. Brian M. practices law in Greenville, North Carolina Best Lawyers has recognized Brian M. Ricci since 2014. 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 Brian M. Ricci is held by other lawyers.

Michael leads the Health Care practice. He counsels physicians, hospitals, and other healthcare providers on regulatory, compliance, and transactional matters. He represents all types of closely-held businesses and their owners on such issues as the formation of business entities, financing transactions, and the merger, acquisition, and sale of businesses. Additionally, Michael advises banks, automobile and tractor finance companies, shopping center owners, homeowners' associations, and suppl...

Joe found his calling in the Federal and State courtrooms of North Carolina over 40 years ago. He has worked as a trial attorney ever since. He is familiar with many of the insurance professionals, defense lawyers, and trial judges that handle these cases in our state. "We only accept cases we think are meritorious and then prosecute those cases with vigor and passion born of a clear conscience." "Seeking justice in an unjust world" is Joe's professional motto. For the plaintiff, truth is our...

Jeffrey P. Gray is a lawyer recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice areas of Administrative / Regulatory Law and Litigation - Land Use and Zoning. Jeffrey P. practices law in Raleigh, North Carolina Best Lawyers has recognized Jeffrey P. Gray 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 Jeffrey P. Gray is held by other lawyers.

Theodore C. Edwards II is a lawyer recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area of Commercial Litigation. Theodore C. practices law in Durham, North Carolina Best Lawyers has recognized Theodore C. Edwards II 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 Theodore C. Edwards II is held by other lawyers.