Michael C. "Mike" Thelen

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 ...

Having served in key leadership positions in state and federal government, Ed Turlington uses this experience to serve clients in a variety of industries, including health care, transportation and education. Much of his time is spent advising technology companies on legal issues and public policy matters. Ed has a distinguished record of public service. He has served as Chief of Staff to both the Governor and Lt. Governor of North Carolina, as Special Assistant/Counsel to a United States Sena...

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.

Drake works with entities and individuals in transactions involving commercial real property. A substantial portion of his practice is focused on representing both landlords and tenants in commercial lease negotiations for a wide variety of spaces, including office locations, retail centers, industrial facilities, and solar farms. In addition, Drake represents buyers and sellers in negotiating and closing purchases and sales, including tax-deferred exchanges. He also represents developers and...

Mike Strickland serves as Of Counsel to the firm’s insurance regulatory practice group. His experience includes representing clients in the areas of insurance coverage, insurance regulatory matters, reinsurance and business litigation and appearing regularly before the North Carolina Court of Appeals and the Supreme Court of North Carolina. Mike has 30 years of experience representing the North Carolina Rate Bureau, a statutory organization responsible for rates, loss costs and policy f...

Jennifer Morris Jones is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Workers' Compensation Law - Employers. Jennifer Morris, who practices law in Raleigh, North Carolina, has been recognized since 2016. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Jennifer Morris is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Leann A. Gerlach is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Workers' Compensation Law - Claimants. Leann A., who practices law in Raleigh, North Carolina, has been recognized since 2020. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Leann A. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Noah H. Huffstetler III is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Administrative / Regulatory Law, Appellate Practice, Commercial Litigation, Health Care Law, Litigation - Antitrust and Litigation - Regulatory Enforcement (SEC, Telecom, Energy). Noah H., who practices law in Raleigh, North Carolina, has been recognized since 1991. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Noah H. is held by other top lawyer...

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...

Timothy S. Riordan is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Workers' Compensation Law - Employers. Timothy S., who practices law in Raleigh, North Carolina, has been recognized since 2005. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Timothy S. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.