Joseph A. Cottingham

For almost 30 years, I’ve been fighting to defend individuals accused of crimes in the State and Federal courts of North Carolina. I love the job. For example, at the moment I am defending clients in investigations involving diverse subjects such as businesses being charged with PPP loan fraud, doctors and nurses with billing, coding and medical necessity issues, executives and managers accused of kickback schemes and wire fraud. In the process of defending these clients, I find it fasc...

Timothy Sheriff is a lawyer recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area of Personal Injury Litigation - Plaintiffs. Timothy practices law in Charlotte, North Carolina Best Lawyers has recognized Timothy Sheriff 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 Timothy Sheriff is held by other lawyers.

Jon Ferry brings his substantial experience as a federal prosecutor to assisting clients in False Claims Act litigation, government investigations and other enforcement actions, internal risk analysis and internal investigations. Jon served as Assistant U.S. Attorney for the Western District of North Carolina for over seven years. As the head of the Affirmative Civil Enforcement (ACE) program and the Healthcare Fraud Coordinator for the U.S. Attorney’s Office, Jon led and supervised num...

As the child of divorced parents, Jennifer has seen firsthand the stress the legal system can have on a family. She was fortunate in that her parents had a strong support system to include other family members and their respective attorneys, making the divorce process smoother and more manageable. More than twenty years later, Jennifer’s own children enjoy the benefits of having a large, blended, loving extended family comprised of grandparents, great grandparents, multiple aunts and un...

Benjamin H. Ellis is a lawyer recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area of Real Estate Law. Benjamin H. practices law in Charlotte, North Carolina Best Lawyers has recognized Benjamin H. Ellis since 2016. 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 Benjamin H. Ellis is held by other lawyers.

Stephen Lareau is a lawyer recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice areas of Litigation - Intellectual Property and Litigation - Patent. Stephen practices law in Charlotte, North Carolina Best Lawyers has recognized Stephen Lareau since 2025. 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 Stephen Lareau is held by other lawyers.

Christian Gerencir is dedicated to representing individuals and families who have been harmed due to the negligence of others. Based in Charlotte, North Carolina, Christian focuses his practice on Personal Injury Litigation for Plaintiffs and Workers’ Compensation Law for Claimants. He advocates for clients involved in workplace injuries, workers’ compensation claims, car wrecks, tractor-trailer accidents, and a wide range of personal injury matters, guiding them through each stag...

For nearly 20 years, Kimberly Kirk has provided practical, informed, and responsive counsel to health care providers throughout the region and nationally. Her goal in providing counsel and advice is to develop solutions that protect clients’ interests and advance their business goals while meeting regulatory requirements. Kimberly works on significant regulatory and transactional matters involving health care-related companies. Her practice includes advising clients on: Transactional ma...

Bobby Bowers is a civil litigator who regularly represents and counsels clients with complex commercial disputes. Bobby has considerable experience in real estate and construction-related matters, eminent domain proceedings representing property owners, manufacturer-distributor relationships, fiduciary litigation arising from wealth transfers and trust and estate administration, equipment lease disputes, and railroad equipment matters including car hire enforcement and end-of-lease/return con...

Patrick L. Kartes is a lawyer recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area of Patent Law. Patrick L. practices law in Charlotte, North Carolina Best Lawyers has recognized Patrick L. Kartes 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 Patrick L. Kartes is held by other lawyers.