Michael E. Kohagen

John Zaloom brings more than 20 years of experience to his employment and litigation clients. He advises clients on day-to-day employment issues and assists them when litigation is necessary. John also litigates complex and high stakes business disputes, intellectual property disputes, First Amendment litigation, and healthcare credentialing issues. John’s employment litigation experience includes disputes involving restrictive covenants, trade secrets, discrimination claims, Fair Labor...

James B. Black IV is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Workers' Compensation Law - Employers. James B., who practices law in Raleigh, North Carolina, has been recognized since 2018. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which James B. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Steve Mansbery joined Tharrington Smith in 2006 after earning his law degree from Case Western Reserve University. Prior to law school, Mr. Mansbery attended the University of Kentucky, where he earned his undergraduate degree in Finance, with Departmental Honors, and graduated magna cum laude. Mr. Mansbery has been appointed to the Wake County Bar Association and the Tenth Judicial District Bar Professionalism Committee every year since 2009. He was recognized as a "Rising Star" in North Car...

Ciara L. Rogers is a partner at Waldrep Wall Babcock & Bailey, PLLC. She focuses her practice on bankruptcy and business insolvency. She is certified as a Business Bankruptcy Law Specialist by the North Carolina State Bar and is licensed to practice in all Federal and State Courts in North Carolina and Virginia, as well as the Fourth Circuit Court of Appeals. Before joining Waldrep Wall Babcock & Bailey PLLC, Ciara was an attorney with Oliver & Cheek. Prior to that, she was a law ...

Joseph Schouten is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Commercial Litigation and Litigation - Intellectual Property. Joseph, 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 Joseph is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Matthew Duncan is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Employment Law - Management and Litigation - Labor and Employment. Matthew, 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 Matthew is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

A partner at Manning, Fulton & Skinner, P.A., Ritchie W. Taylor focuses his practice on corporate law, with a particular emphasis on franchising. From the firm's offices in Raleigh, North Carolina, he represents companies and individuals throughout the area, including Chapel Hill, Durham, Greensboro, Winston-Salem, Asheville, Charlotte, Wilmington, and other parts of the state. In his practice, Mr. Taylor provides advice and counsel on mergers and acquisitions, joint ventures, debt and eq...

George M. Teague is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Government Relations Practice and Insurance Law. George M., who practices law in Raleigh, North Carolina, has been recognized since 2008. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which George M. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Joe found his calling in the Federal and State courtrooms of North Carolina over 40 years ago. He has worked as a trial attorney ever since. He is familiar with many of the insurance professionals, defense lawyers, and trial judges that handle these cases in our state. "We only accept cases we think are meritorious and then prosecute those cases with vigor and passion born of a clear conscience." "Seeking justice in an unjust world" is Joe's professional motto. For the plaintiff, truth is our...

Charles is one of the firm's Managing Directors. His practice experience encompasses federal and state court litigation in various areas, including claims for wrongful death and serious personal injury. He has also litigated numerous cases involving complex insurance coverage issues, products liability, and professional malpractice. Charles is a frequent lecturer and has written extensively on a wide range of litigation topics, including "The Nuts and Bolts of Coverage Under the Homeowner Pol...