Kristen Rigsby Smith

A native of Asheville, Ike returned home to practice law in 1981. After graduation from the University of North Carolina both as an undergraduate and from its law school, Ike clerked at the North Carolina Supreme Court in Raleigh for the year following his admission to the bar. Ike has practiced as a partner in two law firms including one he founded in 1998. He brings to HBS a wealth of trial experience. For nearly four decades, Ike has concentrated his area of practice in the field of medica...

Richard B. Harper is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Workers' Compensation Law - Claimants. Richard B., who practices law in Sylva, North Carolina, has been recognized since 2007. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Richard B. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Joshua O. Harper is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Personal Injury Litigation - Plaintiffs and Workers' Compensation Law - Claimants. Joshua O., who practices law in Sylva, North Carolina, has been recognized since 2022. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Joshua O. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Henry Teich has been practicing law in Asheville, NC for more than 40 years. He and his now retired law partner, Janson Grimes, founded the law offices of Grimes and Teich in 1979. Later, with the addition of partner Scott Anderson, the firm became Grimes Teich Anderson LLP. Henry is a North Carolina Board Certified Workers Compensation Specialist whose interest is assuring that his clients get the best medical treatment available under the circumstances and that they receive protection from ...

Edward L. Bleynat, Jr. began his legal career by clerking for James G. Exum, Jr., then the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of North Carolina. Cutting hsi trial teeth at a major Greensboro business litigation firm. In 1995, Ed relocated to Asheville, to continue his law practice and to raise his family in Western North Carolina where he grew up. Ed and Joe Ferikes merged their practices into Ferikes & Bleynat, PLLC in 2001. Ed is actively involved in a variety of church, civic, and comm...

Jennifer V. Boyer is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Tax Law and Trusts and Estates. Jennifer V., who practices law in Asheville, North Carolina, has been recognized since 2027. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Jennifer V. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Michelle Rippon is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Litigation - Labor and Employment. Michelle, who practices law in Asheville, North Carolina, has been recognized since 2023. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Michelle is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Clint represents clients facing a wide range of challenges in the areas of litigation, community associations, and zoning and land use. His experience covers all aspects of litigation, including pre-trial matters, motions, depositions, hearings, mediations, and arbitrations. In his community associations practice, Clint assists planned communities and community association boards and members with corporate governance, procedural requirements, governing document amendments, fiduciary duties, i...

Kimberly Coward is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Real Estate Law. Kimberly, who practices law in Cashiers, North Carolina, has been recognized since 2021. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Kimberly is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Bill leads the Litigation Practice Group and his practice experience encompasses civil litigation in both the state and federal courts. He has represented clients in a broad variety of complex construction, business, and commercial disputes. His civil litigation experience includes depositions, pre-trial and dispositive motions, mediations, arbitrations, jury trials, and appeals. Other areas of his litigation practice include insurance coverage disputes, personal injury, agribusiness litigati...