Kim Shaftner M.D., J.D.

Larry L. Coats is a lawyer recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice areas of Litigation - Patent and Patent Law. Larry L. practices law in Cary, North Carolina Best Lawyers has recognized Larry L. Coats since 2019. 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 Larry L. Coats is held by other lawyers.

Upon graduation from law school in 1980, Doug Kingsbery joined the firm of Tharrington, Smith & Hargrove in Raleigh, North Carolina, where he worked as an associate in the areas of education law and criminal defense. He was made Partner in 1985, and has developed an extensive litigation and trial practice which includes trial and appellate work in civil, criminal and administrative law. Over the past 28 years, he has tried dozens of civil and criminal jury trials in numerous state and fed...

Mark L. Hearp is a lawyer recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice areas of Criminal Defense: General Practice and DUI / DWI Defense. Mark L. practices law in Fayetteville, North Carolina Best Lawyers has recognized Mark L. Hearp 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 Mark L. Hearp is held by other lawyers.

Doug Meier is a patent attorney and managing partner of NK Patent Law in Raleigh, North Carolina. His practice combines a background in electrical engineering with years of experience advising clients on patent law matters involving software, electronics, telecommunications, and computer technologies. Doug works with businesses, inventors, and technology companies to help protect and manage intellectual property assets through strategic patent guidance. Before entering the legal profession, D...

With a career that has included in-house patent counsel positions at GlaxoSmithKline and Targacept, Inc. (now Catalyst Biosciences), Amy Fix understands the core business issues her clients face. She has spent many years helping clients protect pharmaceutical, agricultural and polymer technologies, and is notably skilled in the growing sector of small-molecule drug development. Amy’s clients range from large international pharmaceutical corporations to smaller companies producing innova...

Barri Hilton Payne In 2011, Barri became a Board Certified Specialist in Family Law and a Certified Family Financial Mediator. She was born in High Point, North Carolina and grew up in Davidson County. She attended the University of North Carolina at Charlotte where she majored in Religious studies and Sociology. Barri is a 1999 graduate of University of North Carolina School of Law at Chapel Hill. After twelve years as a partner in a local law firm, Barri opened her own solo family law and m...

Forrest G. Read IV is a lawyer recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice areas of Employment Law - Management and Litigation - Labor and Employment. Forrest G. practices law in Raleigh, North Carolina Best Lawyers has recognized Forrest G. Read IV 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 Forrest G. Read IV is held by other lawyers.

Joe found his calling in the Federal and State courtrooms of North Carolina over 40 years ago. He has worked as a trial attorney ever since. He is familiar with many of the insurance professionals, defense lawyers, and trial judges that handle these cases in our state. "We only accept cases we think are meritorious and then prosecute those cases with vigor and passion born of a clear conscience." "Seeking justice in an unjust world" is Joe's professional motto. For the plaintiff, truth is our...

David Overton is a lawyer recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice areas of Litigation - Insurance and Personal Injury Litigation - Plaintiffs. David practices law in Raleigh, North Carolina Best Lawyers has recognized David Overton since 2027. 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 David Overton is held by other lawyers.

Roger W. Smith, Jr., was born in Raleigh, North Carolina and attended the Raleigh public schools. He received a Bachelor of Arts degree in English from the University of North Carolina in 1991. While at UNC he was inducted into the Order of Gimghoul. After college, Mr. Smith moved to Wyoming where, during a period of about two years, he learned to hand-make rough white-pine furniture in the Western tradition. He returned to North Carolina and co-founded Appalachian Designs, a company through ...