John W. Holton

John Edwards is a skilled personal injury attorney in North Carolina and the founder of Edwards Kirby, LLP. With a background as a U.S. Senator for North Carolina, the 2004 Democratic Vice-Presidential nominee, and a U.S. presidential candidate, John has long been a proponent for civil rights and protecting those who cannot stand up for themselves. He has been practicing law since 1978 and is an established trial attorney. At Edwards Kirby, LLP, he strives to provide clients with the dedicate...

Sandra Martin Clark is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Business Organizations (including LLCs and Partnerships), Closely Held Companies and Family Businesses Law, Corporate Law, Tax Law and Trusts and Estates. Sandra Martin, 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 Sandra Martin is held by other top lawyers in the same geo...

Steve Long leads the firm's Tax and Employee Benefits practice. He has extensive experience working with employers in banking, retail, and technology to establish and maintain retirement plans, executive compensation agreements, stock incentive plans and other employee benefits. Steve also advises charities and other tax-exempt organizations regarding their IRC 403(b) and IRC 457 retirement plans, as well as issues related to compliance with Internal Revenue Service and state regulations conc...

Benjamin W. Smith is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Environmental Law. Benjamin 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 Benjamin W. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Stephanie Goodbar is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Bankruptcy and Creditor Debtor Rights / Insolvency and Reorganization Law and Litigation - Bankruptcy. Stephanie, 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 Stephanie is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

With an extensive trial résumé, Brian centers his practice on the defense of transportation liability claims involving large commercial trucks and buses, medical negligence cases, insurance coverage litigation, insurance bad faith and extra-contractual litigation, and insurance regulatory matters including representation of the North Carolina Rate Bureau and the North Carolina Reinsurance Facility. Brian has litigated cases to verdict in many state and federal courts in North Ca...

Bettie Kelley Sousa is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Bankruptcy and Creditor Debtor Rights / Insolvency and Reorganization Law, Commercial Litigation and Corporate Law. Bettie Kelley, 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 Bettie Kelley is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Douglas Noreen is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Litigation - Trusts and Estates. Douglas, 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 Douglas is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Kevin L. Sink focuses his practice on bankruptcy and reorganization matters, commercial transactions, real estate and business litigation. He is certified as a Business Bankruptcy Law Specialist by the North Carolina State Bar and a Chapter 7 Panel Trustee for the Eastern District of North Carolina. Kevin is licensed to practice in all Federal and State Courts in North Carolina, as well as the Fourth Circuit Court of Appeals. He is a frequent lecturer at bankruptcy seminars. Kevin served as t...

Robert Jessup (“Robby”) is an owner of the Howard Stallings Law Firm and a civil trial lawyer, who handles wrongful death, serious injury, medical malpractice, and first-party property insurance claim cases. Robby received his BA cum laude (Journalism & Religious Studies) and his Juris Doctor cum laude from UNC-Chapel Hill. Robby is admitted to practice law before the Supreme Court of the United States, the United States Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit, all Federal Dis...