Michael C. "Mike" Lord

Michael J. Denning is a lawyer recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice areas of Family Law, Family Law Arbitration and Family Law Mediation. Michael J. practices law in Raleigh, North Carolina Best Lawyers has recognized Michael J. Denning 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 Michael J. Denning is held by other lawyers.

Robert Mills Kennedy, Jr. is a lawyer recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice areas of Insurance Law and Litigation - Insurance. Robert Mills practices law in Raleigh, North Carolina Best Lawyers has recognized Robert Mills Kennedy, Jr. since 2024. 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 Mills Kennedy, Jr. is held by other lawyers.

Donna Renfrow Rutala, B.S.N., J.D., practices in the areas of medical malpractice defense litigation and health law. In her work, Donna represents hospitals, physicians, and other health care providers in civil litigation as well as administrative proceedings. She also advises hospitals on health law and employment law issues. Donna has trial experience in both the federal and state courts of North Carolina and has appeared before various administrative tribunals including the North Carolina ...

Lynn Burleson is a native of Albemarle, North Carolina. He was admitted to the practice of law in North Carolina after receiving his Bachelor of Arts and Master of Public Administration degrees from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, and his Juris Doctor degree from the Wake Forest University School of Law. Before joining Tharrington Smith, Mr. Burleson served as a district court judge and was a partner in the law firm of Kilpatrick Stockton. He has served as an adjunct professo...

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 ...

S. Nicole Taylor is a lawyer recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area of Family Law. S. Nicole practices law in Raleigh, North Carolina Best Lawyers has recognized S. Nicole Taylor since 2012. 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 S. Nicole Taylor is held by other lawyers.

Phillip Cowan is a lawyer recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area of Family Law. Phillip practices law in Raleigh, North Carolina Best Lawyers has recognized Phillip Cowan 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 Phillip Cowan is held by other lawyers.

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. ...

Thurston Debnam is one of the founding partners of Smith Debnam Narron Drake Saintsing & Myers, L.L.P. Thurston is the Section Head of the Business Law practice group and served as the firm’s managing partner from 1992 through 1997. He concentrates his practice in the areas of business and corporate planning and real estate law, including land use planning and zoning. For more than thirty years, Thurston has maintained a broad-based business practice, assisting clients with business...

With an extensive trial résumé, Brian centers his practice on insurance coverage analysis and litigation, insurance bad faith and extra-contractual litigation, insurance regulatory matters including representation of the North Carolina Rate Bureau and the North Carolina Reinsurance Facility, the defense of transportation liability claims involving large commercial trucks and buses, medical negligence cases and products liability litigation. Brian has litigated cases to verdict i...