Robert A. Ponton, Jr.

David Coats is the firm's co-managing partner and senior litigation partner. He has been recognized by and peer selected for each of the past 14 years for inclusion in The Best Lawyers in America ; Business North Carolina Magazine's Legal Elite ; and North Carolina Super Lawyers - and in a variety of areas including litigation, construction law, and insurance law. Since 1996, Martindale Hubbell has recognized David with its prestigious "AV" peer rating. In 2021 (as well as in 2019 and 2020), ...

Deborah L. Hildebran-Bachofen has been practicing with Manning Fulton since 1988. Debbie has a broad range of experience with closely-held corporations, including corporate mergers, acquisition and structuring issues, planning and tax accounting issues, private debt placement, and tax planning. Debbie becomes an important part of the company’s outside management team, advising business owners on day-to-day operations, drafting and negotiating contracts, and advising on financial matters...

Brian M. Ricci is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Personal Injury Litigation - Plaintiffs and Workers' Compensation Law - Claimants. Brian M., who practices law in Greenville, North Carolina, has been recognized since 2014. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Brian M. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Robert Mills Kennedy, Jr. is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Insurance Law and Litigation - Insurance. Robert Mills, who practices law in Raleigh, North Carolina, has been recognized since 2024. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Robert Mills is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

David has over 40 years of trial and litigation experience trying cases throughout the North Carolina state and federal courts. He focuses his practice on complex civil litigation, with special emphasis on the defense and representation of clients in trucking and transportation, product liability and business litigation. David represents numerous national clients across North Carolina. He has also successfully represented his clients at the appellate level before the North Carolina Court of A...

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.

Stephanie Hutchins Autry has been a trial lawyer since 1987 and has focused her practice on eminent domain since 2000. Before joining Cranfill Sumner & Hartzog as a partner in 1995, Stephanie was a partner in the Raleigh office of an international law firm. Stephanie’s career has included dozens of successful jury and bench trials and reported appellate decisions. For the last 15 years, Stephanie has concentrated her practice exclusively in the area of eminent domain, representing p...

Kelly J. Mackay is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Corporate Law. Kelly J., who practices law in Durham, North Carolina, has been recognized since 2017. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Kelly J. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

David represents businesses, corporations, and individuals in all state and federal courts in North Carolina. His practice focuses on complex civil litigation, business litigation, insurance coverage and bad faith litigation, insurance defense, professional liability, and product liability. He has extensive experience handling electronic discovery and electronically stored information (“ESI”). David joined Young Moore in September 2016. Before joining the firm, David served as a l...

Bill is a partner and member of the Executive Committee of Hutchison Law Group. His practice focuses on corporate and transactional matters for life sciences companies. Many of his clients are innovators in the areas of cell therapy, drug discovery, development and delivery, healthcare services and related fields. Bill assists growing and established companies raise capital, acquire and out-license technology, collaborate with strategic partners and engage in mergers and acquisitions. Bill be...