R. Maria Hawkins

With over forty years of experience in litigation, John’s primary focus is on helping individuals and families who need his experience to navigate estate, trust or guardianship issues. He also works with businesses in evaluating contracts and handling commercial disputes. John’s experience representing individuals and families includes helping them navigate the difficult issues relating to the death of a family member, disputes arising out of an estate plan or will contest, and is...

David Overton is a lawyer recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice areas of Litigation - Insurance and Personal Injury Litigation - Plaintiffs. David practices law in Raleigh, North Carolina Best Lawyers has recognized David Overton 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 David Overton is held by other lawyers.

Stephen T. Byrd is a lawyer recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice areas of Business Organizations (including LLCs and Partnerships), Closely Held Companies and Family Businesses Law, Corporate Law, Mergers and Acquisitions Law, Tax Law and Trusts and Estates. Stephen T. practices law in Raleigh, North Carolina Best Lawyers has recognized Stephen T. Byrd since 2018. The Best Lawyers recognition is based on a peer-review survey of lawyers in the same geographic region and legal practice ar...

3 Things to Know About Jennifer Taylor: She has grown the firm’s Co-Counsel Department to seven figures and led the firm in offering representation to an additional 850+ clients via co-counsel opportunities in 2025.* She led the Intake Department to create nearly 55,000 intakes in 2025 as Intake Administrator. She was named to North Carolina Lawyers Weekly’s “50 Most Influential Women” list in 2025.* Jennifer Taylor is a Partner at the Law Offices of James Scott Farrin...

Bob deRosset serves clients primarily in the fields of construction, business, and product liability law. He tries cases at the state and federal level in North and South Carolina. He is certified by the North Carolina Dispute Resolution Commission to conduct mediated settlement conferences in Superior Court cases and uses his perspective as a seasoned litigator to assist parties to voluntarily resolve their disputes through mediation. Bob has also completed collaborative law training and adv...

Don Beskind’s trial practice focuses on car and truck crash cases, medical and legal malpractice, and business torts. He is also a Professor of the Practice at Duke Law School. Don served on the American Association for Justice's Board of Governors and professional education committee - the National College of Advocacy, has been a Program Director for the National Institute of Trial Advocacy, has authored case files for AAJ and NITA and is a co-author of North Carolina Evidentiary Found...

Russell W. “Rusty” DeMent III is an experienced trial lawyer in Raleigh who is dedicated to defending clients accused of felonies and misdemeanors in North Carolina’s state and federal courts. Rusty continues the family legacy of being recognized by Best Lawyers like his father who was recognized in the first ever Best Lawyers list. A former Wake County prosecutor, he has the skill and experience to defend clients accused of such serious criminal offenses as murder, assault,...

Luther D. (Lew) Starling, Jr. is a life-long resident of Clinton, North Carolina. He attended Clinton High School where he served as President of his senior class and President of the Future Farmers of America. He graduated from Campbell University in 1987 with a bachelor's degree in Business Administration. While at Campbell, Lew served as President of the Adam Smith Club, the university's second largest student organization. 1n 1990, he earned his Juris Doctor degree from Wake Forest Univer...

Dalton Green is a lawyer recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice areas of Employment Law - Management and Litigation - Labor and Employment. Dalton practices law in Raleigh, North Carolina Best Lawyers has recognized Dalton Green 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 Dalton Green is held by other lawyers.

Mike has been practicing law with Martin & Jones for more than 20 years and his practice focuses on representing individuals suffering from asbestos-related diseases including malignant mesothelioma, lung cancer and asbestosis. His clients include workers who were occupationally exposed to asbestos in industrial settings such as power plants, chemical plants, railroads, shipyards, paper mills and other manufacturing facilities. Mike has represented clients from states all over the United ...