Justin M. Puleo

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.

During Jim’s thirty-plus year career practicing law, Jim has developed a reputation as an aggressive litigator who embraces the details of his client’s cases and is up to speed on the law. Jim concentrates his practice in bankruptcy and debtor creditor relations, business disputes and business transactions. He has served as a fiduciary as a trustee in chapter 7 and chapter 11 cases and as a receiver in state court. He has a background as a transactional business lawyer and a Certi...

Walt Tippett provides legal counsel to professionals and privately held businesses, typically regarding fiduciary relationships, ownership rights, or the development of real estate, technology, or research innovations. With his extensive personal and professional experience in the governance of privately held companies, Walt is adept at handling disputes concerning complex agreements to govern, purchase, sell, finance, and dissolve business ventures. Having developed and financed real propert...

Jason represents and assists contractors, subcontractors, owners, lenders, and design professionals in all areas of the construction and development process. His goal is to help clients through the building process in the most efficient and cost effective manner. His practice experience includes civil litigation, preparation and negotiation of construction contracts, and development of best practices for construction companies. Prior to joining the firm, Jason clerked for Chief Justice Mark D...

Robert E. Whitley, Jr. is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Personal Injury Litigation - Plaintiffs, Product Liability Litigation - Plaintiffs and Workers' Compensation Law - Claimants. Robert E., 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 Robert E. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

A seasoned litigator and counselor, Mark represents businesses and trade associations, with particular expertise in media and communications law. For some clients, he provides specialized regulatory, legislative, corporate, or litigation work. For others, he serves an outside general counsel role. Throughout his career, Mark has developed a capacity for solving complex problems that have stymied others. Mark’s principal clients are media and communications enterprises, such as digital m...

With more than 40 years of litigation experience in areas including medical malpractice, worker’s compensation, and general casualty litigation, Joe now focuses his practice on mediation. Certified by the North Carolina Dispute Resolution Commission to conduct mediated settlement conferences in Superior Court cases, Joe is available to conduct mediations in most North Carolina counties. Joe is a member of the American Board of Trial Advocates (ABOTA) and holds an AV Peer Review Rating f...

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

G. Ryan Willis is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Criminal Defense: White-Collar and DUI / DWI Defense. G. Ryan, 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 G. Ryan is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

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...