Patrick M. "Pat" Wallace

Michael leads the Health Care practice. He counsels physicians, hospitals, and other healthcare providers on regulatory, compliance, and transactional matters. He represents all types of closely-held businesses and their owners on such issues as the formation of business entities, financing transactions, and the merger, acquisition, and sale of businesses. Additionally, Michael advises banks, automobile and tractor finance companies, shopping center owners, homeowners' associations, and suppl...

Susan “Ali” Overby joined the Law Offices of James Scott Farrin in 2015 and was selected as a firm Partner in 2024. She is an integral member of the firm’s Workers’ Compensation Law – Claimants practice, where she represents injured workers throughout Durham, North Carolina and across the state. Ali is known for her thoughtful and client-focused approach to helping individuals navigate the workers’ compensation process after a workplace injury. Ali is Board...

Edwin Walker Jr. is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Trusts and Estates. Edwin, who practices law in Durham, North Carolina, has been recognized since 2016. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Edwin is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

L. Lamar Armstrong III is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Appellate Practice. L. Lamar, who practices law in Smithfield, North Carolina, has been recognized since 2026. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which L. Lamar is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

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...

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 ...

Buxton S. Copeland is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Workers' Compensation Law - Employers. Buxton S., who practices law in Raleigh, North Carolina, has been recognized since 2017. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Buxton S. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Forest has been practicing law for twenty-five years. He spent the first six years of his career as a partner with a large "defense" law firm mainly defending large corporations in civil lawsuits. Seeing the inequalities that existed in the justice system between wealthy and powerful companies and regular people, Forest was motivated to change his law practice, join Martin & Jones and help level the playing field for ordinary, hard-working people and their families. With the experience Fo...

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

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...