Suzanne R. Walker

3 Things to Know About Jennifer Taylor: She has grown the firm’s Co-Counsel Department to seven figures and led the firm in offering representation to an additional 850+ clients via co-counsel opportunities in 2025.* She led the Intake Department to create nearly 55,000 intakes in 2025 as Intake Administrator. She was named to North Carolina Lawyers Weekly’s “50 Most Influential Women” list in 2025.* Jennifer Taylor is a Partner at the Law Offices of James Scott Farrin...

Upon graduation from law school in 1980, Doug Kingsbery joined the firm of Tharrington, Smith & Hargrove in Raleigh, North Carolina, where he worked as an associate in the areas of education law and criminal defense. He was made Partner in 1985, and has developed an extensive litigation and trial practice which includes trial and appellate work in civil, criminal and administrative law. Over the past 28 years, he has tried dozens of civil and criminal jury trials in numerous state and fed...

As a partner at the firm, Ben Whitley joins his father to provide comprehensive legal representation for their clients. The motivation for the Whitley family’s commitment to law stems from a desire to assist injured individuals, particularly when they face challenges against larger corporations. "Every case proceeds from a position of strength or we don’t proceed at all," says Ben, who has been involved in personal injury law since the beginning of his career for over two decades....

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.

Melissa Hill is a native of Asheville, North Carolina. She received her B.A. degree, magna cum laude, as a member of Phi Beta Kappa, from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill in 1984. She also attended law school at UNC, where she was admitted to the Order of the Coif, was on the North Carolina Law Review and received her J.D. with honors in 1987. Ms. Hill is the author of Tennessee v. Garner - The Use of Deadly Force to Arrest as an Unreasonable Search and Seizure, 65 N.C.L. Rev. ...

Jennifer Morris Jones is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Workers' Compensation Law - Employers. Jennifer Morris, 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 Jennifer Morris is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Jeffrey R. Russell is a Board Certified Specialist in Family Law and a partner in the Family Law section at Tharrington Smith, LLP. His practice is concentrated in family law and appeals. Jeff earned his undergraduate degree in political science from Furman University and subsequently graduated magna cum laude from the Norman Adrian Wiggins School of Law at Campbell University. Before joining the firm in 2013, he clerked for the Honorable John C. Martin, Chief Judge of the North Carolina Cour...

Leann A. Gerlach is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Workers' Compensation Law - Claimants. Leann A., who practices law in Raleigh, North Carolina, has been recognized since 2020. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Leann A. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Patricia A. Markus is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Health Care Law. Patricia A., who practices law in Raleigh, North Carolina, has been recognized since 2009. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Patricia A. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Michael focuses his practice on the field of complex civil litigation with an emphasis on the prosecution of trucking and transportation cases. He also represents landowners whose property is being taken by eminent domain. He has extensive experience litigating wrongful death and catastrophic injury claims and has spoken nationally and internationally on topics related to trucking litigation, including best practices for post-accident investigation and evidence preservation. Prior to forming ...