Samuel W. "Sam" Johnson

Jennifer Giordano-Coltart Ph.D. is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Biotechnology and Life Sciences Practice and Patent Law. Jennifer, who practices law in Raleigh, North Carolina, has been recognized since 2022. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Jennifer is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

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.

Angela Farag Craddock is a partner at Young Moore, focusing her practice on helping businesses and institutional clients navigate civil litigation, state administrative litigation, and appeals. She leads the firm’s Appellate Practice and is a member of the Transportation and Logistics, Workers’ Compensation, and Insurance Regulation Practice groups. She also helped to spearhead formation of Young Moore’s Diversity & Inclusion Committee as its inaugural Chair and has been...

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.

Donna Renfrow Rutala, B.S.N., J.D., practices in the areas of medical malpractice defense litigation and health law. In her work, Donna represents hospitals, physicians, and other health care providers in civil litigation as well as administrative proceedings. She also advises hospitals on health law and employment law issues. Donna has trial experience in both the federal and state courts of North Carolina and has appeared before various administrative tribunals including the North Carolina ...

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...

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,...

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.

Franklin Drake is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Bankruptcy and Creditor Debtor Rights / Insolvency and Reorganization Law. Franklin, 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 Franklin is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Carlos Mahoney is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Civil Rights Law, Commercial Litigation, Litigation - Labor and Employment and Personal Injury Litigation - Plaintiffs. Carlos, who practices law in Durham, North Carolina, has been recognized since 2025. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Carlos is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.