Madeleine M. "Maddi" Pfefferle

Amy's litigation practice focuses on complex commercial disputes, fiduciary duty claims, unfair and deceptive trade practices claims, and community association matters. Amy also has significant experience representing policyholders in a broad range of first- and third-party coverage litigation with their insurance carriers and co-chairs the firm's Insurance Counseling and Recovery Practice Group. That experience includes litigating coverage disputes pertaining to commercial property insurance...

Ryan Bliss is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Workers' Compensation Law - Claimants. Ryan, who practices law in Durham, North Carolina, has been recognized since 2025. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Ryan is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Kevin M. O'Brien is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Insurance Law. Kevin M., 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 Kevin M. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Michael Jordan is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Personal Injury Litigation - Plaintiffs. Michael, who practices law in Durham, North Carolina, has been recognized since 2024. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Michael is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Susan Vanderweert is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Workers' Compensation Law - Claimants. Susan, 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 Susan is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Justin L. Mauney, a partner at Wake Family Law Group, was admitted to the practice of law in North Carolina in 2007 and focuses his practice on all aspects of North Carolina family law litigation and negotiation. Justin received his Bachelor of Science in Business Administration from the Kenan-Flagler Business School at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill in 2004. In 2007, he received his Juris Doctor, cum laude , from the Norman Adrian Wiggins School of Law at Campbell University...

A trusted advisor, Marcus Trathen focuses his practice in the fields of communications law, utilities regulation, mass media, the Internet, intellectual property, and legislative representation. Marcus counsels clients on a variety of issues, including telecommunications regulation, media and the First Amendment, Internet law and regulation, and broadcast licensing and regulation. Marcus advises businesses on complex matters related to intellectual property licensing. Marcus has extensive exp...

David Coats is the firm's co-managing partner and senior litigation partner. He has been recognized by and peer selected for each of the past 14 years for inclusion in The Best Lawyers in America ; Business North Carolina Magazine's Legal Elite ; and North Carolina Super Lawyers - and in a variety of areas including litigation, construction law, and insurance law. Since 1996, Martindale Hubbell has recognized David with its prestigious "AV" peer rating. In 2021 (as well as in 2019 and 2020), ...

Adam was born and raised in New York and earned his undergraduate degree in political science from the University of Maryland. After graduation, he attended law school at the University of Minnesota in Minneapolis, where he simultaneously competed as an amateur boxer. Developing skills as a fighter required discipline, focus, and resilience - traits that have been assets in his professional life ever since. Adam moved to West Palm Beach, FL after law school and worked as an assistant public d...

James A. Roberts III is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Banking and Finance Law, Bet-the-Company Litigation, Commercial Litigation, Construction Law, Corporate Law and Personal Injury Litigation - Plaintiffs. James A., who practices law in Raleigh, North Carolina, has been recognized since 2003. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which James A. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and...