Suzanne M. Patinella

Over the course of more than 25 years as a patent attorney matched with in-house experience as a pharmaceutical chemist at DuPont Merck Pharmaceuticals and Smithkline Beecham, Allen Baum, partner-in-charge of the Raleigh office, has the ability to take complex scientific and legal issues and distill them into timely, relevant and useful counsel. Allen represents life sciences companies in patent and licensing matters. Clients hire Allen to identify and execute strategies to protect key commer...

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

Thurston Debnam is one of the founding partners of Smith Debnam Narron Drake Saintsing & Myers, L.L.P. Thurston is the Section Head of the Business Law practice group and served as the firm’s managing partner from 1992 through 1997. He concentrates his practice in the areas of business and corporate planning and real estate law, including land use planning and zoning. For more than thirty years, Thurston has maintained a broad-based business practice, assisting clients with business...

Drake works with entities and individuals in transactions involving commercial real property. A substantial portion of his practice is focused on representing both landlords and tenants in commercial lease negotiations for a wide variety of spaces, including office locations, retail centers, industrial facilities, and solar farms. In addition, Drake represents buyers and sellers in negotiating and closing purchases and sales, including tax-deferred exchanges. He also represents developers and...

Steven maintains a varied practice focusing on representing workers who have been injured on the job and people who have been injured due to the negligence of others. His practice also includes representing consumers who have been harmed by unfair or deceptive business practices. Steven started his legal career with the office of the North Carolina Attorney General, where he worked primarily defending the state of North Carolina in workers’ compensation cases, before deciding to join Ma...

Ellis Family Law was built to help people navigate some of life’s most personal and high-stakes moments with clarity, strategy, and genuine care. Gray Ellis is the Founder and Managing Partner of the firm, and for more than 20 years, he has helped shape the standards, culture, and approach that guide the team’s work every day. Gray is a North Carolina Board Certified Specialist in Family Law—a distinction held by fewer than 2% of family law practitioners statewide—and ...

Louis E. Wooten III is a lawyer recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice areas of Litigation and Controversy - Tax, Tax Law and Trusts and Estates. Louis E. practices law in Raleigh, North Carolina Best Lawyers has recognized Louis E. Wooten III since 2011. 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 Louis E. Wooten III is held by other lawyers.

Rose Stout, a partner with the firm, is a highly respected attorney, characterized by humility, strength, compassion and a proven ability to effectively advocate for her clients.With over 20 years of experience, Rose represents clients in all aspects of family law, including divorce, custody, property division, child support and alimony. She has been a Board Certified Family Law Specialist by the North Carolina State Bar Board of Legal Specialization since 1991, with extensive trial experienc...

Kathleen B. Coyle is a lawyer recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice areas of Eminent Domain and Condemnation Law and Real Estate Law. Kathleen B. practices law in Raleigh, North Carolina Best Lawyers has recognized Kathleen B. Coyle 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 Kathleen B. Coyle is held by other lawyers.

David A. Rhoades is a lawyer recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area of Workers' Compensation Law - Employers. David A. practices law in Raleigh, North Carolina Best Lawyers has recognized David A. Rhoades since 2013. 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 A. Rhoades is held by other lawyers.