Vicki L. Parrott

A member of Manning Fulton's litigation section, Michael T. Medford has more than 37 years of experience representing clients in a broad range of complex commercial litigation and insurance disputes. His practice focuses on complex business litigation involving shareholder and partnership disputes, disputes relating to the purchase and sale of businesses, business and legal malpractice claims, lending disputes, employment disputes, securities law disputes and insurance coverage and procuremen...

David Kushner has nearly 25 years of experience in media and communications law, focusing on broadcasting, media policy, and First Amendment issues. A trusted advisor, he is recognized as one of the nation’s leading authorities on retransmission consent agreements. David has extensive experience helping businesses navigate the dynamic media landscape and the unique legal challenges that they face in the digital age. His media and communications practice focuses on issues related to broa...

Kristin H. Ruth is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Family Law and Family Law Mediation. Kristin H., who practices law in Raleigh, North Carolina, has been recognized since 2024. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Kristin H. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Benjamin W. Smith is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Environmental Law. Benjamin W., who practices law in Raleigh, North Carolina, has been recognized since 2025. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Benjamin W. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Maria P. Wood is the Managing Partner in our Raleigh office and specializes in medical malpractice, aging services, correctional health care, professional malpractice and ethics, appellate, and general liability matters. In her more than twenty year legal career, she has gained significant litigation and trial experience. Maria has devoted her career to the representation of health care providers. These providers include hospital systems, long-term care facilities (skilled nursing and assiste...

Mr. Schilawski is a partner in the law firm of Wake Family Law Group in Raleigh, North Carolina. He received his B.A. degree from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill in 1971, his M.Ed. degree from North Carolina State University in 1976 and his J.D. degree from Campbell University in 1982. He served as Editor-in-Chief of the Campbell Law Review. Mr. Schilawski's principal area of practice is family law. In 1989, he was board certified as a specialist in family law by the North Car...

Joseph Baznik is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Personal Injury Litigation - Plaintiffs. Joseph, 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 Joseph 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 ...

Gerald H. Groon, Jr. is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Bankruptcy and Creditor Debtor Rights / Insolvency and Reorganization Law. Gerald H., who practices law in Raleigh, North Carolina, has been recognized since 2026. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Gerald H. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Lynn Burleson is a native of Albemarle, North Carolina. He was admitted to the practice of law in North Carolina after receiving his Bachelor of Arts and Master of Public Administration degrees from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, and his Juris Doctor degree from the Wake Forest University School of Law. Before joining Tharrington Smith, Mr. Burleson served as a district court judge and was a partner in the law firm of Kilpatrick Stockton. He has served as an adjunct professo...