Lisa Rushton

Melissa Hill is a native of Asheville, North Carolina. She received her B.A. degree, magna cum laude, as a member of Phi Beta Kappa, from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill in 1984. She also attended law school at UNC, where she was admitted to the Order of the Coif, was on the North Carolina Law Review and received her J.D. with honors in 1987. Ms. Hill is the author of Tennessee v. Garner - The Use of Deadly Force to Arrest as an Unreasonable Search and Seizure, 65 N.C.L. Rev. ...

Jeffrey A. Poley is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Public Finance Law. Jeffrey A., who practices law in Raleigh, North Carolina, has been recognized since 2010. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Jeffrey A. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

J. Heydt Philbeck concentrates his practice on complex civil litigation in the areas of civil rights, employment law, commercial litigation, contract disputes, unfair business practices, state and federal personnel law, constitutional law, and occupational licensing. Mr. Philbeck is an experienced trial advocate who has tried over 100 jury and bench trials to verdict. He has successfully represented clients before the North Carolina Supreme Court, the North Carolina Court of Appeals and the U...

In joining Hardison & Cochran in 2008, Joel Jackson Hardison made a transition from defending insurance companies in Workers Compensation cases to representing injured and disabled workers. He applies the insights he gained from representing insurance companies to assist the injured workers he represents. There is little doubt about which type of practice he prefers. Hardison received a B.A. degree in journalism from the University of North Carolina in 1999 and a J.D. from the UNC School ...

Fred D. Hutchison is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Corporate Law, Technology Law and Venture Capital Law. Fred D., who practices law in Raleigh, North Carolina, has been recognized since 2001. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Fred D. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Jason Campbell is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Eminent Domain and Condemnation Law. Jason, who practices law in Raleigh, North Carolina, has been recognized since 2024. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Jason 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...

T. Shawn Howard is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Personal Injury Litigation - Plaintiffs. T. Shawn, who practices law in Raleigh, North Carolina, has been recognized since 2026. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which T. Shawn is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Bob is a trial lawyer who regularly represents management in labor/employment law and related matters. National employers rely on Bob to advise their employment practices and represent their interest throughout the country. He has defended hundreds of lawsuits, taken hundreds of depositions and successfully obtained many jury verdicts and arbitration awards.He often represents prominent employers and their executives in high-stakes disputes and advises clients facing scrutiny by the governmen...

Ali Overby is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Workers' Compensation Law - Claimants. Ali, who practices law in Durham, North Carolina, has been recognized since 2026. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Ali is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.