William W. Plyler

Mr. Keen has practiced labor and employment law in the Raleigh office of Ogletree Deakins since 1987. His practice has included employment litigation in state and federal courts, representing clients before the National Labor Relations Board and advising clients on equal employment opportunity and wage and hour issues. He has successfully litigated cases to defense verdicts in employment discrimination cases. He has also litigated matters involving ERISA, non-competition and trade secrets, wo...

Beth Ferebee Atkins is a lawyer recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area of Real Estate Law. Beth Ferebee practices law in Raleigh, North Carolina Best Lawyers has recognized Beth Ferebee Atkins since 2024. 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 Beth Ferebee Atkins is held by other lawyers.

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....

Originally from Michigan, Carolyn Murchison moved to North Carolina after obtaining her undergraduate degree from the University of California, Berkeley. She received her law degree with honors from the University of North Carolina, where she was an editor of North Carolina Journal of International Law and Commercial Regulation, a Daniel H. Pollitt Fellow and a member of the James E. and Carolyn B. Davis Society. Prior to joining Tharrington Smith in 2000, Ms. Murchison was a policy analyst f...

Lori Allen focuses her practice on workers’ compensation defense, representing employers and insurers across North Carolina. She advises clients in the manufacturing, healthcare, transportation, hospitality, and retail industries and defends claims through all stages of litigation before the North Carolina Industrial Commission. Lori handles complex claims and develops practical strategies to resolve disputes efficiently—whether through negotiated settlements or contested hearings...

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...

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...

Joan has over thirty years of experience in eminent domain and condemnation law and has taught seminars to other lawyers on how to handle condemnation cases involving commercial property. She has a wide range of experience in federal district court, federal bankruptcy court, and many state court systems. Joan has been inducted as a Lifetime Member of the Million and Multi-Million Dollar Advocates Forums for obtaining multiple recoveries for her clients in excess of One Million Dollars. She ha...

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

Edwin Walker Jr. is a lawyer recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area of Trusts and Estates. Edwin practices law in Durham, North Carolina Best Lawyers has recognized Edwin Walker Jr. since 2016. 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 Edwin Walker Jr. is held by other lawyers.