John W. Holton

Fred D. Hutchison is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Corporate Law, Technology Law and Venture Capital Law. Fred D., who practices law in Raleigh, North Carolina, has been recognized since 2001. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Fred D. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

A native of Maryland and a former wrestler and wrestling coach, and now an avid rock climber, Jonathan Blumberg graduated from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill with an undergraduate degree in philosophy in 1982 and a law degree, with honors, in 1986. He served two years as a law clerk for Judge Eugene Gordon in the United States District Court for the Middle District of North Carolina before joining Tharrington Smith in 1988. Mr. Blumberg works in education law, employment law ...

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

Robert 'Chip' Younce Jr. is a partner at Younce & Vtipil, P.A. Chip is a board certified North Carolina workers’ compensation lawyer and a member of the Association of Trial Lawyers of America, the North Carolina Advocates for Justice, the Workplace Injury Litigation Group, the North Carolina Bar Association, and the Wake County Bar Association. He has been heavily involved in church and community service throughout his career. Chip currently serves as bishop of the Cary Second Ward...

J. Heydt Philbeck concentrates his practice on complex civil litigation in the areas of civil rights, employment law, commercial litigation, contract disputes, unfair business practices, state and federal personnel law, constitutional law, and occupational licensing. Mr. Philbeck is an experienced trial advocate who has tried over 100 jury and bench trials to verdict. He has successfully represented clients before the North Carolina Supreme Court, the North Carolina Court of Appeals and the U...

Jennifer Morris Jones is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Workers' Compensation Law - Employers. Jennifer Morris, 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 Jennifer Morris is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Upon graduation from law school in 1980, Doug Kingsbery joined the firm of Tharrington, Smith & Hargrove in Raleigh, North Carolina, where he worked as an associate in the areas of education law and criminal defense. He was made Partner in 1985, and has developed an extensive litigation and trial practice which includes trial and appellate work in civil, criminal and administrative law. Over the past 28 years, he has tried dozens of civil and criminal jury trials in numerous state and fed...

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), ...

Andrew W. Merrills is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Immigration Law. Andrew W., 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 Andrew W. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Jeffrey A. Poley is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Public Finance Law. Jeffrey A., who practices law in Raleigh, North Carolina, has been recognized since 2010. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Jeffrey A. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.