Morven Lawyers

NCDRC Certified Superior Court Mediator

As a practicing business attorney in Charlotte, NC, I provide guidance for protecting businesses from possible legal exposure, helping businesses grow stronger, and protecting them once a legal issue arises. The son of a Lebanese immigrant with his own small business, I understand the need for competent and affordable business law assistance.

I have experience dealing in entity formation, contract formation and disputes, wage and hour disputes, other employment disputes, preparing employment documents to protect businesses on the front-end, trademark registration/searches, copyright infringement assistance, and several other areas.

I genuinely enjoy practicing law, meeting my clients, and doing my best to solve their problems. Each day brings a new face and a different challenge, and I am honored that I get to spend my days in my beloved hometown advocating for my neighbors. My focus is on traffic law and criminal defense in Bladen, Brunswick, and Columbus Counties, though I also handle 50-B and 50-C hearings for Domestic Violence Protective Orders. Additionally, my firm specializes in the mistreatment, serious personal injury, or wrongful death of inmates in North Carolina prisons and county jails. I am committed to...

When you are injured in an accident, there is only one chance to get it right. With over 25 years in practice, Marcus E. Hayes, Sr., has the experience and performance record to guide clients through the difficult maze of insurance and legal negotiations. As a member of the Million Dollar Advocates Forum, Marcus has the track record you want. Membership in this organization is comprised of attorneys in the United States who have recovered million dollar verdicts or settlements for their clients. While not a guarantee of similar results, clearly Marcus has the right stuff to tackle the...

With his history of activism and public service, it’s not surprising that Chris Stevens was drawn to a law career where he could help people. He is passionate about helping those who are in need, especially military veterans who are fighting the Department of Veterans Affairs to get the benefits to which they are entitled.

Chris earned his juris doctor from the UNC School of Law. He graduated from Appalachian State University with a bachelor of science in business administration, double majoring in economics and marketing. While in law school, Chris won the Eugene Gressman & Daniel H. Pollitt Appellate...

Karina Herhusky is a dedicated professional who strives to provide the best legal representation for her clients. She believes that empathizing with clients is the key to successful representation. Karina understands the importance of keeping clients informed throughout every step of the process.

An immigrant herself, Karina understands a client’s perspective, including the challenges they face to legalize their status and other issues that may have an impact on their legal status. As a wife and mother, Karina empathizes with families who may be facing the threat of separation due to their immigration status. She fiercely advocates on behalf of...

After training initially with one of the top biotech patent groups in the U.S. and practicing in large general practice firms for over 20 years, Carl has the experience to meet the intellectual property needs of startups, mid-size R&D companies, large biotherapeutic and pharmaceutical companies, and top tier, research-intensive universities. He enjoys doing single-project work, as well as comprehensive counseling and portfolio development for startups and growing companies.

Carl counsels scientific founders on initial protection strategies for their platform technology (timing, scope of disclosure, landscape analysis, ownership issues), develops licensing programs for biotechnology, and evaluates lifecycle management programs for marketed human...

John Barrow has 27 years of Trial Experience in District and Superior Court in Piedmont North Carolina, Primarily Forsyth County, Kernersville and Winston Salem, NC. John is a relentless advocate inside and outside the courtroom. Enjoys an excellent reputation among the Forsyth County Bar and clients alike. Aggressive, knowledgeable and effective. Award winning Criminal Defense. Publishes an annual Law Calendar addressing DWI and Criminal laws and issues in trials and sentencing. Prior life - Grocery store manager, carpenter, mechanic, restaurateur, Racer. Enjoys - Life, Wife and Family - Plans and Projects. ...

Eleanor Panetti is a Winston-Salem lawyer who has been practicing family law for nearly three decades. Eleanor provides comprehensive legal counsel to men and women involved in family law disputes, to spouses creating and expanding families through adoption, and to those protecting and caring for children of family members. She is skilled and experienced in all matters related to divorce, custody and paternity, property settlement and support, the legal issues unique to the LGBT community, and those specific to senior populations.

Eleanor is passionate in her representation of people involved in family disputes, whether through divorce, supporting parents through child custody...

Keith Stroud is a 25+ year veteran of the practice of law. Keith supports businesses in the Triad, spouses going through a separation and divorce, individuals and couples through estate planning, executors and administrators handling the estate of a loved one, and seniors and their family members in long term care and asset protection matters. He provides a straightforward and comprehensive approach to legal representation, and offers unique solutions designed to meet the goals of his clients.

While Keith’s practice is structured to help his clients avoid litigation, he is first and foremost a trial lawyer. His civil and past criminal...

Carter Whittington concentrates his practice in North Carolina workers’ compensation law, helping injured workers seek the benefits they need and deserve after sustaining a job related injury. Whittington started working at Hardison & Cochran while he was a third-year student at Campbell University’s Norman Adrian Wiggins School of Law. After graduating cum laude and receiving his J.D. in 2016, he joined Hardison & Cochran as a full-time attorney. A North Carolina native, Whittington grew up in Winston-Salem and attended the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, where he received a B.A. in political science in 2012. In law school, Whittington was...

Becoming a lawyer has been part of Julie Vergara Duque’s game plan since childhood. From the time she enrolled in law school, she knew she wanted to use her expertise to improve other people’s lives and help them navigate legal challenges. In 2024, she joined the Deuterman Law Group as an associate attorney in the workers’ compensation practice, working primarily out of the Winston-Salem office. As a native Spanish speaker, she will focus her practice on cases involving Spanish-speaking clients who have been injured on the job. Julie’s family immigrated from Colombia when she was a child, and an attorney’s work on...

As an injury attorney, he’s found a job that combines his passion for research and for helping people who have often been wronged by the system that is supposed to protect them.

Jack graduated summa cum laude from N.C. Central University with a double major in political science and criminal justice. He earned his juris doctor from the University of Alabama School of Law in 2016.

Originally from Basingstoke, England, Jack came to the United States on a tennis scholarship at N.C. Central. He started playing tennis at age 5 and was part of England’s national program as a junior.

While at...

As a personal injury attorney, Chase Coble enjoys the dual role he serves as his clients’ legal advocate and support system. When someone suffers a life-altering injury, they often are dealing with serious physical, financial, and emotional pain, and stress. Add to that the burden of dealing with insurance companies, health care providers and the legal system, and it can be overwhelming. Having an experienced advocate to guide them through the legal system allows Chase’s clients to focus on what’s most important: healing and getting their lives back on track. Chase, who grew up in Burlington, joined the Deuterman Law Group’s personal...

Andrea Smaxwell is committed to being a strong, effective advocate for her veteran clients as they seek the legal benefits guaranteed by their past military service. She has a breadth of knowledge and experience in international law, workers’ compensation, and personal injury law.
Andrea earned her Juris doctorate with a distinguished specialization in international law from Golden Gate University School of Law in San Francisco in 2009. She continued her studies at the school’s Sompong Sucharitkul Center for Advanced International Legal Studies. She earned her Master of Laws (LLM) in International Legal Studies there in 2010. While earning her second law...

Amelia joined Partin, Patton and Brown in August 2003 and became a partner in January 2009. Her practice focuses in the areas of Social Security Disability and Long Term Disability. Amelia is a North Carolina Board Certified Specialist in Social Security Disability Law. Amelia attended law school at Wake Forest University School of Law (2003) and joined Partin, Patton and Brown after her graduation. As a law student, Amelia was active in the Public Interest Law Organization and Guardian Ad Litem program. Amelia is a member of the North Carolina State Bar, North Carolina Bar...

After growing up in Kernersville, NC, Allie attended Campbell University where she was a member of the Women's Soccer Team and received a B.S. in Business Administration. From Camel to Phoneix, she went on to attend the Elon University School of Law where she obtained her Juris Doctorate in December 2019. Allie has successfully completed the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration’s course on DUI Detection and Standardized Field Sobriety Testing, a 24-hour course taught to officers trained in DWI investigations. Allie married her High School sweet heart, Landon, in 2020. They enjoy being outdoors; watching sporting events (Go Canes!); and...

Robert Frey is recognized by his peers and his clients as an expert in Workers' Compensation cases. In his law career, he has helped countless of injured workers and their families obtain the medical care and the compensation they deserve. Known for his accessibility, compassion and tenacious trial preparation, Mr. Frey is one of the leading worker's compensation attorneys in North Carolina. Mr. Frey has litigated complex workers compensation and personal injury cases. He takes pride not only in advocating for victims of workplace and personal injury, but in providing them with the resources and information they...

Kellie Corbett chose the University of South Carolina for her undergraduate degree for two reasons: the pageantry of big-time college football and the fact she hates snow. She got the pageantry but it came with snow – a freak storm, 8” of the stuff, her freshman year.

There’s a lesson there but we’re not exactly sure what it is — yet.

Kellie was accepted at the University of North Carolina School of Law where she became the first law student in the history of American law schools (that dates back to 1793) to fall in love with Trusts and Estates while taking...

Stephanie joined the Cary Estate Planning team in May of 2023 as an Estate Planning Lawyer. She spent a combined eight years as a solo estate planning practitioner and then pro bono attorney in Pittsboro, North Carolina. She believes in proactive planning at all stages of our lives and aims to provide client-centered service. Stephanie lived in Massachusetts, Wisconsin, West Virginia, and Ohio before attending Duke University in North Carolina, where she studied comparative religion. She relocated permanently to Chatham County after returning to Ohio briefly to study at Miami University. During law school at North Carolina Central University, Stephanie served as...

John A. Price has over four decades of legal experience, including first chair trial experience on a variety of complex business and commercial litigation matters with special emphasis on the areas of antitrust and unfair/deceptive trade practices, business torts, securities fraud, intellectual property, minority shareholder, regulatory, products liability, environmental, and a wide spectrum of business disputes. He is ranked AV Preeminent with 5 out of 5 for legal ability and ethics by Martindale-Hubbell in a peer-reviewed rating. He is certified in civil litigation by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization, licensed to practice law in Kansas, Texas and...

Mr. Spain was admitted to the State Bar in 2013 and practiced as an estates and business law attorney prior to joining BHSPA in 2018. Jason focuses on Estate Planning and Probate law, helping clients plan for their family’s future and to assist clients in administering the estate of a loved one. He also is proficient in helping small business owners set up business succession plans that will allow their companies to be passed on to the next generation and help provide financial security for their families in the event of retirement, death, or disability. ...

Chris Hyland is an experienced personal injury lawyer and managing partner at Hyland, Padilla, & Fowler, PLLC. He is committed to protecting the rights of injury victims in Raleigh and Durham. Chris attended the College of Wooster for his undergraduate degree and earned his Juris Doctor from Campbell University School of Law. Active in the legal community, he is a current member and former Durham County Bar Association president. He is also a part of the North Carolina Advocates for Justice, the Fourteenth Judicial District, the North Carolina Bar Association, and more. For his dedication and success, he was awarded...

David Coolidge is a skilled and experienced criminal defense attorney at Coolidge Law Firm, based in Raleigh, North Carolina. Coolidge is dedicated to defending the rights of clients throughout the area who have been charged with crimes, including DWI, drug charges, sex crimes, domestic violence and a variety of felony and misdemeanor charges. Coolidge graduated in the top 5 percent of his class from the Duke University School of Law, which is one of the top law schools in the country. There he received top-notch training both inside the classroom and in the field as a student. ...

Parker grew up in the Raleigh & Wake County, North Carolina. She completed her Bachelor of Arts in Journalism at the University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill in 1975. After graduation, Parker worked in public relations at Duke University Medical Center for several years before enrolling in law school at Wake Forest School of Law, where she completed her Juris Doctor in 1985. As a law student, Parker was a member of the Moot Court Board and was elected to the Order of the Barristers. She was a member of the school’s National Appellate Team and...

2020 will be the 14th year that I have practiced law exclusively in criminal defense. My legal career began as a deputy public defender in Los Angeles County where I received extensive training and experience. During my tenure as a public defender, I tried approximately 18 jury trials and more than 50 juvenile cases ranging from misdemeanors to serious felonies and strikes, including one murder case in the juvenile system. Now in private practice in North Carolina, I maintain the original passion and dedication to my clients that drew me to this work while still in law...

Leto has many years of experience litigating cases for plaintiffs in the North Carolina state and federal courts. Her practice is now concentrated primarily on representing victims of crime, particularly sexual abuse. She also handles catastrophic personal injury cases. Leto has received widespread recognition for the effectiveness of her work. She has the highest rating (AV) for legal ability and ethical standards given by Martindale-Hubbell. She has been listed in Best Lawyers in America and in North Carolina Super Lawyers, where she has been named multiple years as one of the top fifty women lawyers in...

Attorney J. Wallace Pierce was born in the Republic of South Africa. In the course of his tenure as a scholar, he spent much of his time studying, exploring and grasping the complexity that surrounds South Africa's race relations. In early 2001, Attorney Wallace Pierce relocated to Durham, North Carolina with his family. Attorney J. Wallace Pierce acquired his Bachelors in History, Concentration in African American History, from North Carolina Central University in 2006. Attorney Pierce finished this four yearlong program in only three years. His determination and enthusiasm to furthering his involvement in the local community grew as...

Joel C. Harbinson attended the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and graduated in 1977 with an A.B. degree and from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill School of Law in 1979 with a J.D. degree. He has been self-employed since 1979 as a criminal, domestic, and personal injury attorney in Taylorsville. In addition, Joel is a certified mediator in Superior Court cases, receiving accreditation from the N.C. Dispute Resolution Commission in 1998, and is a certified arbitrator in District Court cases. Joel is the former President of the 22nd Judicial District Bar Association (1987-1988, 1999-2000) and a...

Loch Saslow is a 2009 graduate of Elon University School of Law’s inaugural class. Loch joined Hill, Evans, Jordan & Beatty following admission that year. Loch is a trial lawyer. He focuses his practice primarily in the areas of family law, bankruptcy, civil disputes, including business matters, and contractual issues, as well as Wills, Estates & Trusts.

A native of Greensboro, North Carolina, Loch holds a B.A. in History from Furman University in 2006 where he served as Community Service Chair of Sigma Nu Fraternity, played Club Lacrosse, and coached lacrosse at Riverside High School in Greenville,...

Dr. Stanley Elliot After being married for 13 years, I was going through a rough separation. This was not easy for me and the separation also involved a custody battle for our child. I met with several attorneys and all of them were suitable. But I didn't just need a suitable attorney, I needed an experienced, litigation-savvy attorney. Richard Gantt was that attorney. When we met over lunch, he was informative, empathetic, and also ready to do battle in the courtroom. Richard was available to talk day and night. He has thought of innovative ways to proceed with all aspects...

Originally from Grand Haven, Michigan, Andrew Bullard attended the University of Michigan, graduating with a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Political Science. He later attended Michigan State University College of Law and obtained his J.D. in 2010. Andrew Bullard primarily practices estate planning, estate administration, special needs law and guardianships at the firm. Andrew’s experience includes assisting individuals and families as they navigate the process of planning and administering estates and trusts. Additionally, he guides fiduciaries through their duties in the probate process and helps families plan for the care of loved ones with long-term special needs. Andrew takes...

Billie Guthrie has spent more than 20 years working with people experiencing challenging life situations and fighting for social justice, first as a social worker and later as an attorney. Billie, who has a master’s degree in social work from the University of North Carolina, worked in the mental health field as an administrator and social worker. One of her primary roles was as a policy advocate, fighting for legal and systemic changes to improve outcomes for disabled adults and people dealing with persistent mental health issues and homelessness. As an attorney, Billie helps her clients navigate the complicated and often frustrating...

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 Martin & Jones out of a desire to help real people who have been injured or harmed. Steven understands how difficult it is for people...

Forest has been practicing law for more than twenty-five years. He spent the first six years of his career as a partner with a large “defense” law firm mainly defending large corporations in civil lawsuits. Seeing the inequalities that existed in the justice system between wealthy and powerful companies and regular people, Forest was motivated to change his law practice, join Martin & Jones and help level the playing field for ordinary, hard-working men and women and their families.

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...

Attorney Peace is a managing partner at the Law Office of Peace & Squires, PLLC practicing in the areas of Business, Contracts, and Personal Injury Law. Attorney Peace has worked extensively negotiating North American and International contracts, and has used her notable negotiations skills to effectuate first-rate results for her clients.

Attorney Peace earned her Juris Doctor degree from North Carolina Central University in 2008, her Master of Business Administration, Cum Laude, from North Carolina Central University in 2004, and her Bachelor of Business Administration in Finance, Magna Cum Laude, from North Carolina Central University in 2002. While attending North Carolina...

Mike has been practicing law with Martin & Jones for more than 20 years and his practice focuses on representing individuals suffering from asbestos-related diseases including malignant mesothelioma, asbestos related lung cancer and asbestosis. His clients include workers who were occupationally exposed to asbestos in industrial settings such as power plants, chemical plants, railroads, shipyards, paper mills and other manufacturing facilities. Mike has represented clients from states all over the United States as well as from various provinces in Canada.

Community connections run deep for Angie, whose family has lived in the Yadkin Valley region for several generations. As a former prosecutor and founder of the Public Interest Law Foundation during law school, where she attended on a prestigious merit-based scholarship, Angie has a deep passion for protecting the most vulnerable in the community. That abiding sense of commitment, alongside her sharp legal judgment and astute attention to detail, makes her an effective legal advocate for her clients.

Sara Barlowe is an associate attorney at Bagwell Holt Smith where she practices in the Firm’s Family Law department. Sara joined the Firm in July of 2020 shortly after relocating to the Research Triangle area from Astoria, Queens with her family and their two cats. While in New York, Sara worked as an Assistant District Attorney with the Bronx District Attorney’s office where she focused primarily on domestic violence and special victims cases with the exception of a year-long stint in the office’s Special Investigations Division where she handled long-term wiretap investigations. Sara received her Juris Doctor, cum laude, from Benjamin...