Shelby D. "Mrs. Benton" Benton

3 Things to Know About Coleman Cowan: He received two Emmys, 2009 and 2013. He won a $5.1 million verdict for the grieving sons of a woman killed in a suspected road rage incident in Johnston County.** He secured a $2.8 million judgment for a family severely injured in a head-on collision with construction truck.** Coleman Cowan is a Partner at the Law Offices of James Scott Farrin and leads the firm’s litigation team . An experienced trial attorney, Coleman handles complex, high-stakes...

Doug Meier is a patent attorney and managing partner of NK Patent Law in Raleigh, North Carolina. His practice combines a background in electrical engineering with years of experience advising clients on patent law matters involving software, electronics, telecommunications, and computer technologies. Doug works with businesses, inventors, and technology companies to help protect and manage intellectual property assets through strategic patent guidance. Before entering the legal profession, D...

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 ...

Bryan Skelton’s clients rely on his years of experience in intellectual property counseling and his focus on developing, executing, and enforcing worldwide market exclusivity strategies for their core assets. Pharmaceutical, chemical, and biotechnology companies of all sizes call on Bryan for portfolio growth, management and acquisition, due diligences, and strategic partnering. Bryan focuses his practice on advising pharmaceutical companies and research institutions on complex legal is...

John N. (Nick) Fountain is one of the most experienced attorneys in North Carolina handling professional licensure issues and occupational licensing boards. He has appeared before dozens of the numerous boards and commissions in Raleigh, including the Real Estate Commission, the Appraisal Board, the Banking Commission, the CPA Examiners, N.C. Medical Board, the Dental Board, the Psychology Board, Licensed Professional Counselors and others. He is General Counsel to the State Board of Examiner...

Brad leads the Agribusiness Practice Group and his practice experience encompasses various areas of civil litigation in both the federal and state courts. He has experience in all aspects of civil litigation, including depositions, hearings, mediations, arbitrations, jury trials, and appeals. Brad advises clients and litigates cases involving all forms of commercial, business, estate, and intellectual property disputes. He regularly represents contractors, subcontractors, and suppliers in con...

Adam was born and raised in New York and earned his undergraduate degree in political science from the University of Maryland. After graduation, he attended law school at the University of Minnesota in Minneapolis, where he simultaneously competed as an amateur boxer. Developing skills as a fighter required discipline, focus, and resilience - traits that have been assets in his professional life ever since. Adam moved to West Palm Beach, FL after law school and worked as an assistant public d...

Ben is an experienced trial lawyer who earned his law degree from The George Washington University in Washington, D.C. He was trained in trial practice at the nation’s preeminent Public Defender agency, the federally funded Public Defender Service for the District of Columbia, described by United States Attorney General Eric Holder as “the best public defender office in the country.” From 2006 to 2011, Ben worked as an attorney at the Public Defender Service in DC, including...

Phillip J. Strach is a lawyer recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice areas of Employment Law - Management and Litigation - Labor and Employment. Phillip J. practices law in Raleigh, North Carolina Best Lawyers has recognized Phillip J. Strach since 2009. 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 Phillip J. Strach is held by other lawyers.

Sonya DuBree is a lawyer recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area of Family Law. Sonya practices law in Raleigh, North Carolina Best Lawyers has recognized Sonya DuBree since 2026. 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 Sonya DuBree is held by other lawyers.