Sharon L. Parker

A native of Asheville, Ike returned home to practice law in 1981. After graduation from the University of North Carolina both as an undergraduate and from its law school, Ike clerked at the North Carolina Supreme Court in Raleigh for the year following his admission to the bar. Ike has practiced as a partner in two law firms including one he founded in 1998. He brings to HBS a wealth of trial experience. For nearly four decades, Ike has concentrated his area of practice in the field of medica...

Jonathan built an early reputation among his colleagues as the lawyer other lawyers turned to with their problems. Since focusing on appellate work, he has briefed and argued before the Fourth Circuit, the North Carolina Court of Appeals, the North Carolina Supreme Court, and the Supreme Court of the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians. He has also been retained to serve as an appellate consultant in jury trials, providing real time guidance and briefing to preserve appellate issues in high stak...

Joshua O. Harper is a lawyer recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice areas of Personal Injury Litigation - Plaintiffs and Workers' Compensation Law - Claimants. Joshua O. practices law in Sylva, North Carolina Best Lawyers has recognized Joshua O. Harper since 2022. 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 Joshua O. Harper is held by other lawyers.

Anna has been practicing law for more than 25 years. She is a North Carolina Board Certified Specialist in Workers' Compensation Law and concentrates her practice in the area of Workers' Compensation. Anna first became licensed to practice law in Virginia in 1994, followed by Washington, D.C. in 1995. She has been practicing law in North Carolina since 1996. Anna is included in the 2018-2022 editions of Best Lawyers In America® for Workers Compensation Law-Claimants and is on the list of ...

Jennifer’s practice centers on the legal and personal complexities involved in family law matters. Her work includes a particular emphasis on complex equitable distribution and contested custody cases. She approaches family law as an area requiring both strong advocacy and careful judgment, recognizing that divorce, custody disputes, and related matters often involve emotionally difficult circumstances for clients and their children. In custody matters especially, she is committed to ca...

Edward L. Bleynat, Jr. began his legal career by clerking for James G. Exum, Jr., then the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of North Carolina. Cutting hsi trial teeth at a major Greensboro business litigation firm. In 1995, Ed relocated to Asheville, to continue his law practice and to raise his family in Western North Carolina where he grew up. Ed and Joe Ferikes merged their practices into Ferikes & Bleynat, PLLC in 2001. Ed is actively involved in a variety of church, civic, and comm...

Joe Ferikes began his practice in 1974 in Atlanta, Georgia, representing such entities as the County of Dekalb. In 1983, Joe and his wife moved back to their hometown of Asheville to continue his law practice and raise their family. He has been a private practice trial lawyer since 1981, and was a solo practitioner until forming Ferikes & Bleynat in 2001. Joe’s representative clients include the Towns of Woodfin and Fletcher, North Carolina, as well as the ABC Boards for Fletcher, W...

Orville D. Coward, Jr. was born in Sylva, North Carolina on December 22, 1953. He graduated magna cum laude from Yale University in 1976 with a BA in English and went on to receive his Juris Doctor from the University of North Carolina Law School in 1979, where he reestablished and served as President of Phi Alpha Delta Legal Fraternity. He was admitted to U.S. District Court, Western District of North Carolina in 1979, and to the Fourth Circuit Court of Appeals in 1985.Mr. Coward began his p...

3 Things to Know About Matthew Healey: He is a North Carolina State Bar Board Certified Specialist in Workers’ Compensation Law. He has been recognized by Best Lawyers as “Lawyer of the Year” in Raleigh for 2015, 2017, and 2022 and for inclusion on the “Best Lawyers” list for 2013-2026.* He previously represented employers and insurance companies, giving him valuable insight into the defense side of workers’ comp claims. Matthew Healey is a Partner at the L...

Jennifer V. Boyer is a lawyer recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice areas of Tax Law and Trusts and Estates. Jennifer V. practices law in Asheville, North Carolina Best Lawyers has recognized Jennifer V. Boyer 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 Jennifer V. Boyer is held by other lawyers.