Katie Smith

“Chris is just really willing to get in and get the job done. He understands the need to balance costs against trial preparation. He’s also willing to say, this isn’t my area, let me refer you to somebody else.” The above quote, from a national construction client with outside counsel in nearly every state, was shared with Thomson Reuters, the company behind Westlaw, during its global research with senior in-house counsel to identify top-performing lawyers in private p...

John C. Livingston is a lawyer recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice areas of Energy Law and Real Estate Law. John C. practices law in Raleigh, North Carolina Best Lawyers has recognized John C. Livingston since 2021. 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 John C. Livingston is held by other lawyers.

Robert L. Wilson, Jr. is a lawyer recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area of Health Care Law. Robert L. practices law in Raleigh, North Carolina Best Lawyers has recognized Robert L. Wilson, Jr. since 1991. 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 Robert L. Wilson, Jr. is held by other lawyers.

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...

Ryan Shuirman is a lawyer recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice areas of Medical Malpractice Law - Defendants and Personal Injury Litigation - Defendants. Ryan practices law in Raleigh, North Carolina Best Lawyers has recognized Ryan Shuirman since 2022. 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 Ryan Shuirman is held by other lawyers.

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...

“Charlie was the ultimate service provider. He is vastly experienced and had a great understanding of our issues. He was the best to deal with in every way.” – Client quote in Chambers USA Charlie Mercer focuses his practice on state and local tax controversies (SALT), including property tax, sales and use tax, and corporate and individual income tax. Charlie has extensive experience representing taxpayers in real property and business personal property tax appeals across No...

Elizabeth advises and defends health care providers in matters involving patient care issues and risk management issues. She has successfully handled numerous medical malpractice cases and has taken many of them to trial. She has obtained numerous defense verdicts in cases of alleged medical malpractice, a few of which are summarized on her “Milestones” page. Many of these cases involved catastrophic injury or death. Elizabeth represents clients before the North Carolina Medical B...

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 ...

Ken Soo’s areas of practice include public school law, employment law and civil litigation. He received his law degree with honors from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill in 1991. During law school, he was a note editor for the North Carolina Law Review. Mr. Soo completed his bachelor’s degree in comparative area studies at Duke University. Mr. Soo’s first career was as a wire service and newspaper reporter in Ohio, North Carolina and Florida, including stints w...