Jonathan Y. Ellis

Wade Smith has been one of North Carolina's best known and most acclaimed lawyers for nearly 50 years. His trials are recounted in books, magazines and journals. A renowned storyteller, Wade insists that within each case there is a compelling story waiting to be told. In seminars and bar meetings Wade has shared the art of storytelling. His cases offer a fine collection of North Carolina Courtroom lore. In 1979, Wade served as counsel to Dr. Jeffrey McDonald in the much studied and discussed ...

Shirley M. Diefenbach is a partner/member of the law firm of Walker, Lambe, PLLC, where she primarily practices in the areas of Estate Planning, Elder Law and Trust & Estate Administration. Ms. Diefenbach is also the managing partner of the Trust & Estate Administration department within the law firm. For over forty years, Walker Lambe, PLLC has served its clients, in the areas of Estate planning, Trust Administration, Probate, Taxation, Estate and Trust Disputes, Planning for childre...

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.

Nicola Prall is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Employment Law - Management, Immigration Law and Litigation - Labor and Employment. Nicola, who practices law in Raleigh, North Carolina, has been recognized since 2021. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Nicola is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Stephanie Hutchins Autry has been a trial lawyer since 1987 and has focused her practice on eminent domain since 2000. Before joining Cranfill Sumner & Hartzog as a partner in 1995, Stephanie was a partner in the Raleigh office of an international law firm. Stephanie’s career has included dozens of successful jury and bench trials and reported appellate decisions. For the last 15 years, Stephanie has concentrated her practice exclusively in the area of eminent domain, representing p...

A.T. Debnam is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Family Law and Family Law Mediation. A.T., 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 A.T. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Richard M. Lewis is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Workers' Compensation Law - Employers. Richard M., who practices law in Raleigh, North Carolina, has been recognized since 1995. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Richard M. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Devon is one of the firm's Managing Directors. Her practice encompasses a wide range of labor and employment issues, including wage and hour matters, federal contractor compliance, employment discrimination, harassment, and retaliation claims, employee discipline and termination decisions, personnel policies and practices, restrictive covenants, and background checks. Devon regularly counsels HR executives and C-suite officers, navigating them through the many state and federal requirements f...

Noah H. Huffstetler III is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Administrative / Regulatory Law, Appellate Practice, Commercial Litigation, Health Care Law, Litigation - Antitrust and Litigation - Regulatory Enforcement (SEC, Telecom, Energy). Noah H., who practices law in Raleigh, North Carolina, has been recognized since 1991. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Noah H. is held by other top lawyer...

Jeff D. Rogers is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Mortgage Banking Foreclosure Law and Real Estate Law. Jeff D., 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 Jeff D. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.