Council Lawyers

Leah was born in Rocky Mount, North Carolina in 1967. Leah practices law in the following areas: workers’ compensation, personal injury litigation, trials in state and federal courts and arbitrations.
She is a Board Certified Workers’ Compensation Specialist through the North Carolina State Bar and a frequent lecturer at the North Carolina Academy of Trial Lawyers.

Russell is a native of Wilmington, North Carolina and has been practicing law in Eastern North Carolina since 2004. Russell attended the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and graduated in 1998 with degrees in Biology and Psychology. For the next few years, Russell worked in Chapel Hill and Durham as a research technician for the UNC Neuroscience Center, Intronn, LLC and Trimeris, Inc. During these years, Russell worked as part of research teams exploring RNA based gene therapies, viral fusion inhibitors, and the role Galactocerebroside plays in protein localization near nodes of Ranvier. After gaining...

My broad legal practice covers business litigation, ranging from complex cases in the North Carolina Business Court to more straightforward contract disputes, personal injury, and wrongful death cases, including medical malpractice.

But whatever type of case, I use investigative instincts that I honed over more than 14 years as a professional journalist before turning to the Bar.

I exited the University of Virginia in 1994 skilled in various forms of writing and on a mission to get to the bottom of things. A freelance writer and part-time newspaper reporter while still in school, I became a full-time journalist upon...

Mysty Blagg is a second-career Health Law Attorney that brings 20 years of previous health care industry experience into her practice of law. She has lived the full health care life cycle. In her previous career, Mysty was a health dental hygienist, Medicaid Appeals Specialist, and a Health Care Compliance Investigator. Mysty is uniquely positioned to understand the business of health care, the power of health care innovation, and the pressures the intense regulatory environment. She advises health care clients on issues stemming from regulatory matters, licensing disputes, health care fraud and abuse, digital health matters,...

I represent clients with tickets in Cumberland County and Hoke County. I began my legal career in the Cumberland County Public Defender's Office in 2006. In 2010, I went into private practice and founded Kimrey Law, PLLC in 2015 and joined the Hatley Law Office in 2019.

My legal career has focused exclusively on traffic, misdemeanor and felony defense, to include being a member of the Capital Defender's Roster to try First Degree Murder cases. I also have a vast trial experience, both in District and Superior Courts. I proudly serve as an advisory board member to Second Harvest Food Bank...

Jerry D. Parker, Jr., is a co-founding principal partner of Parker & Frey, PLLC. Mr. Parker directs all litigation operations. Mr. Parker is personally involved in every case and insures that each client receives impeccable representation. Mr. Parker's litigation team includes very experienced attorneys and paralegals as well as investigators who have worked as a cohesive unit successfully for over 25 years. Jerry recently received an AV rating from his peers, which means that he was deemed to have very high professional ethics and preeminent legal ability. Only lawyers with the highest ethical standards and professional ability receive a...

Keith Metz heads up our Charlotte office, serving clients in Mecklenburg, Union, Cabarrus, and Iredell Counties. After finishing law school, Mr. Metz opened his own law firm in Charlotte, focusing on criminal, family law, and small claims matters, which he continues to run in addition to his practice with iTicket.law. Mr. Metz also serves as a Pro Bono attorney for Safe Alliance, a Charlotte non-profit, aiding victims of domestic violence. Through his pro bono representation in court, Keith helps victims of domestic violence get the protection they need to live a safe life. Mr. Metz enjoys hiking with his German...

Ken was born in Honolulu, Hawaii in 1961 and served as a Captain in the United States Marine Corps from 1986 through 1990, where he was a member of the JAG Corps. Ken practices law in the following areas: workers’ compensation, personal injury litigation, wrongful death, bankruptcy, and trials in state and federal courts and arbitrations.

He is a Board Certified Workers’ Compensation Specialist through the North Carolina State Bar and was recently appointed to a three-year term on the North Carolina Bar Association Workers’ Compensation Section Council. Mr. King is also a member and frequent lecturer at the Workers’ Compensation...

Hunt's practice at Martin & Jones focuses on representing people who have been harmed by the negligence of others, including from tractor-trailer collisions, car wrecks, defective products and construction accidents. He has successfully tried numerous cases to verdict for his clients before juries across the state of North Carolina. He is licensed to practice in all North Carolina courts, as well as all federal courts in North Carolina and the United States Court of Appeals for the 4th Circuit. Hunt has been recognized by Super Lawyers every year since 2016 as a Rising Star.

Michelle Dewkett-Kochhar found her passion for workers’ compensation law dabbling in personal injury, workers’ compensation, and criminal defense law after graduating from law school. Dewkett-Kochhar graduated from Campbell University’s Norman Adrian Wiggins School of Law in 2019, and passed the North Carolina Bar Exam that same summer. A northerner at heart, Dewkett-Kochhar grew up in Rhinebeck, New York. She first moved to Raleigh to attend North Carolina State University, where she received a B.A. in International Studies and a minor in Spanish. While at law school, Dewkett-Kochhar served as a research assistant and interned with the Wake County Public Defender’s Office, a personal...

David Russotto began his legal career as an attorney with the U.S. Navy Judge Advocate General's (JAG) Corps. He was stationed at Naval Base Norfolk as Defense Counsel and then as Trial Counsel and Legal Services Attorney at Naval Air Station Oceana.

After attending Staff Judge Advocate School, David went on to work as staff Judge Advocate at FCTCLANT Dam Neck in Virginia Beach, providing legal advice to the base commander. In 1991, he went into private practice and in 2000, Mr. Russotto helped found Marcari, Russotto, Spencer & Balaban.

David’s long familiarity with the military and respect for the sacrifices made...

Jim Snow was born in Baltimore, Maryland, in December of 1956; admitted to bar, 1982, North Carolina; 1984, Virgin Islands and U.S. District Court, Eastern District of North Carolina. Education: University of Pennsylvania (B.A., 1979, cum laude); University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill (J.D., 1982). Member: New Hanover County (Member, Executive Committee, 1990-1994) and North Carolina Bar Associations (Member, Business Law and Real Property Law Sections, Business Law Section Council, 2004-2008; Business Law Section Council, Membership Chair, 2007-2008); The North Carolina State Bar (Fifth Judicial District, Secretary-Treasurer, 1989-1990, Chairman, Fifth Judicial District Young Lawyers Division, 1990-1992). ...

Lindsay Murphy Parker is an attorney in Eastern North Carolina focusing her practice on consumer bankruptcy. Lindsay received her undergraduate degree from the University of North Carolina at Wilmington. During her studies in Wilmington, she was employed by Gillespie & Murphy, P.A. as a legal assistant. After graduation, Lindsay moved back to New Bern and continued her legal career in the New Bern office location. In 2016, Lindsay received her Juris Doctorate from North Carolina Central University School of Law in Durham, NC. Lindsay uses her experience as a legal assistant in her practice of law, with a knowledge and understanding of...

Jennifer has vast experience representing clients throughout North Carolina at all stages of development, building and marketing from entity selection, contract negotiation, acquisition, due diligence, complex financing, land use planning, to permitting and advocacy with agencies and municipalities. Jennifer was recently named to the Real Estate Power List recognizing the 25 most respected and accomplished real property attorneys in North Carolina. Born and raised in Chapel Hill, Jennifer earned her Bachelor of Arts degree in Political Science from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill (’93) and earned her Juris Doctor degree from the UNC School of Law (’96)....

My goal is to provide the best possible service to my clients. My practices include family law and civil litigation. Please do not hesitate to call to schedule a consultation.

After moving from NY to NC, I found new residents in my community needed assistance with estate planning and estate administration. I have since expanded my practice to Northern Brunswick, New Hanover, and Pender Counties.

Danny Earl Britt, Jr., enlisted in the North Carolina National Guard as a private while he was still attending high school in Tar Heel, NC. Following high school he attended Appalachian State University where he walked on and played football graduating Magna Cum Laude in Boone, North Carolina with a B.S. in Political Science and concentration in pre-legal studies. After graduation, Danny immediately enrolled in law school in Oklahoma. Following law school Danny joined a firm in Elizabethtown North Carolina working for a few years before taking a job with the Robeson County District Attorney's office. Danny served...

Attorney Tom Lamb received his law degree from George Washington University in 1988, and his undergraduate degree from the College of William & Mary. He has an A-V rating peer review rating from Martindale-Hubbell, its highest classification. The Law Offices of Thomas J. Lamb, P.A. has a national litigation practice based in Wilmington, North Carolina. We represent people who have been seriously injured or died as a result of dangerous products, harmful chemicals, unsafe drugs, and asbestos mesothelioma claims. All cases are handled on a contingency fee basis, which means that you will make no payment...

I spend my time helping my clients and their families face the reality of handling child custody, asset divisions, child support and divorce. Many of these issues involve not only legal, but emotional, practical and even business implications. Our effective team understands the nuances of these cases, and provides supportive, competent, and, when needed, aggressive representation.

James F. Rutherford is a North Carolina native and graduate of the Michigan State University School of Law. He is genuinely passionate about advocating for the rights of the accused and guiding them through the criminal justice system. He is a highly rated attorney who earned an AV Preeminent® Rating by Martindale-Hubbell® for his legal ethics and talent and named a Super Lawyers® Rising Star™ from 2013-2015. James received certification as a criminal law specialist by the North Carolina State Bar in 2011 and is certified to administer standardized field sobriety tests.

John Alan Jones is the founding member and managing partner of Martin & Jones, where he has worked since he began practicing law in 1982. John Alan handles both trial and appellate work in state and federal courts throughout North Carolina and around the U.S. He heads the firm's medical malpractice group, which is comprised of three attorneys and seven staff members. John Alan dedicates a large percentage of his practice to representing individuals catastrophically injured by medical negligence, defective pharmaceuticals, toxic substances or other negligence. He also devotes a significant amount of his work time to consumer...

Haywood "Woody" White III is a former North Carolina State Senator and experienced trial attorney. His is a Board Certified Specialist in State and Federal Criminal Law, and has twice been awarded a member of the "Legal Elite" by Buisness, North Carolina Magazine.

Wilmington, NC Lawyer R. Clarke Speaks practices in the areas of personal injury and criminal defense. He has achieved National Recognition through AVVO and Superlawyers. Specifically, he has attained a rating of "10.0" out of a maximum score of 10.0 on AVVO. In addition, he is rated "Superb". Superb is the highest possible rating. He has earned the "Top Car Accident Attorney" designation. In addition, R. Clarke Speaks has been selected to the Superlawyers for the second consecutive year for his work in the legal field of personal injury law. Recently, Mr. Speaks...

My practice is solution driven to find the best result for firm clients. I try to take a custom approach to each client to create a unique experience to help best serve the individual client's needs.

James L Allard Jr. is an experienced attorney dedicated to serving his clients in the greater Wilmington, North Carolina area and beyond. Admitted to bar in 1986, Mr. Allard is an AV-Rated attorney by Martindale-Hubbell, and has been named Top 100 Trial Lawyers / National Trial Lawyers. Practice areas include: DWI defense, traffic law, DMV hearings, drug offenses, property crimes, violent crimes, sexual assaults, felonies, misdemeanors, trials in all federal and state courts, white collar crime. Visit his website for more information and call for a free consultation!

Laura was born and raised in Jacksonville, NC. In 2011, she graduated from East Carolina University with a Bachelor of Arts in English. She continued her education at Thomas M. Cooley Law School and graduated with a Juris Doctorate in 2013.

Laura enjoys writing, reading and engaging in community service. Laura joined the King Law Firm in 2014 and practices in the areas of workers’ compensation, personal injury litigation, and social security disability.

Growing up on a small farm in Central Iowa, I learned the importance of hard work, respecting my elders, and contributing locally. I graduated from Iowa State University, and eventually attended law school at the University of Wyoming. I have practiced law for several decades, focusing in recent years on estate planning, and I enjoy it. When my grandfather passed away without a will when I was a young man, my family was devastated, as the government took 70% of his estate. That lasting impression drove me to begin helping people avoid such difficult ends, and instead provide a soft...

Who am I? I am a lawyer who has been practicing for almost 24 years. For that entire period of time, I have only handled personal injury cases, nothing else. I understand that the important things in life are not things at all...but integrity, values and loved ones..family and friends alike. I do not represent corporations and I sure don’t represent insurance companies. I represent ordinary people. Why? Well, when I was about 22 years old, I was working on an oil rig in the Gulf of Mexico as a roustabout and later a part-time roughneck on a drilling floor. I...

Born in Germany, Chris moved at a young age to Cleveland, Ohio. After graduating from The Ohio State Law School and working two years at a mid-sized law firm, Chris, his wife Susan and their infant daughter decided to move to Wilmington, North Carolina to be near the beach (and warmer, less snowy weather).

Since that time Chris has handled a variety of legal matters including Bankruptcy (his focus), Estate Planning, Business Law, Criminal Defense and other legal matters.

Chris has been on the side of consumers as they face creditors and their respective lawyers. Chris has helped many people...

David E. Anderson, PLLC is a client-focused legal practice providing legal services in the areas of Estate Planning and Estate Administration.

Timothy D. Edwards has been practicing Family Law in Fayetteville, NC since 1995. He was raised in North Carolina and graduated from Richmond Senior High School in 1988. He then studied at Liberty University where he was a competitive member of the top nationally ranked Debate Team. He then received his Law Degree from Campbell University in 1995. He joined the law firm of Blackwell & Edwards upon graduation. His practice focuses on family law.

After college I was an insurance adjuster for home owner and auto claims for 2 years before I went to law school. This was good training for my practice. After law school at The University of Tennessee I worked in insurance defense of all types of cases including auto accidents, workers compensation, contract/insurance disputes, wrongful death cases and other litigated issues. Worker's Compensation Accident and Injury cases have been to bulk of my practice for the last 15 years. I also handle auto/truck accident injuries associated with work. The remainder of my time I spend as a mediator of a variety...

Family Law is my focus. Child Custody and all aspects of Divorce (including military divorce) are the bulk of what I do and I love it. I have the knowledge to get you to the best possible results available to you. In addition I take pride in making sure my clients know and understand what is happening in their case, because it is their life that is being impacted. I enjoy working as a team with my client to get the case successfully resolved.

Todd M. Hess: Professional Engineer. Certified Financial Planner. Patent Attorney. NC Intellectual Property Mediator.

Todd Hess primarily concentrates his law practice in the North Carolina and South Carolina markets in all areas of intellectual property. He is additionally licensed to practice law in Georgia, and in federal court with the United States Patent and Trademark Office.

He brings over a decade of intellectual property experience to Barnwell Whaley, particularly in counseling start ups in the pharmaceutical and specialty chemical industries as well as the craft brewing industry.

For Joey DeMartin, officially joining the team at Hardison & Cochran, Attorneys at Law feels like a homecoming. He worked at the law firm, writing motions and assisting in the call center while attending Campbell Law School in Raleigh. DeMartin graduated from the Norman Adrian Wiggins School of Law at Campbell University in 2018 and passed the North Carolina Bar Exam in 2019. The Washington, N.C., native is the first attorney in his family. “My grandfather was pretty happy with that,” DeMartin said, noting that the law had interested him from a young age. “I was definitely the family debater. … I...