Ruffin Lawyers

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,...

Ryan is a Raleigh-based criminal defense attorney with over 20 years of experience representing clients in North Carolina’s state and federal courts. He focuses on high-level felony cases, including drug trafficking, white collar crimes, violent offenses, and sex crimes. He has tried more than 35 cases to verdict and is known for securing acquittals in complex, high-stakes trials. Ryan has successfully defended clients accused of first-degree murder, armed robbery, felony assault, and second-degree rape. He also works behind the scenes to protect clients during investigations, often preventing charges from being filed or convincing prosecutors to dismiss weak cases. In federal matters, Ryan...

Jaye Meyer is listed in the Best Lawyers in America® and North Carolina Super Lawyers®. Ms Meyer received the Super Lawyers award for Top 50 Women Lawyers in North Carolina from 2010-2014, and Top 100 Lawyers in 2011. She has been recognized by Business North Carolina magazine as one of the “Legal Elite” in North Carolina. Ms. Meyer is a Board Certified Specialist in Family Law, a Fellow in the American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers, and is certified as a Family Financial Mediator.

Ms. Meyer was admitted to the North Carolina Bar in 1990. She received her B.A. cum laude from...

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 federal courts across North Carolina and he has received an AV rating from his peers as reported in...

Evan Horwitz was born in Raleigh, North Carolina. He received his undergraduate degree from Indiana University in 1997 and graduated from the Norman A. Wiggins School of Law at Campbell University in 2001. While in law school, Mr. Horwitz was the managing editor of the Campbell Law Review. After graduating, Mr. Horwitz served as a law clerk to Justice Robert F. Orr at the North Carolina Supreme Court.

Prior to joining Tharrington Smith in 2008, Mr. Horwitz spent almost six years as an associate at Manning, Fulton & Skinner, P.A., where he was a member of the firm’s litigation section practicing...

Wade Smith has been one of North Carolina’s best known and most acclaimed lawyers for nearly 50 years. His trials are recounted in books, magazines and journals. A renowned story teller, Wade insists that within each case there is a compelling story waiting to be told. In seminars and bar meetings Wade has shared the art of story telling. His cases offer a fine collection of North Carolina Courtroom lore. In 1979, Wade served as counsel to Dr. Jeffrey McDonald in the much studied and discussed Green Beret Murder case. Most recently he was lead counsel for Collin Finnerty, one...

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...

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. ...

Ms. McCray loves the practice of law and enjoys helping people. She was born in Orangeburg, South Carolina and attended South Carolina College (the University of South Carolina's honors college) receiving undergraduate degrees in English and Psychology. Ms. McCray graduated from the University of South Carolina School of Law in Columbia, South Carolina. During law school, she clerked for Judge C. Tolbert Goolsby at S.C. Court of Appeals and interned one summer in Raleigh for the North Carolina Family Policy Council where she gained intimate knowledge of the legislative process in North Carolina. During her third year, she clerked...

Mr. Privette has developed a diversified law practice and is capable of handling your legal needs. He is experienced in business and civil litigation, advising clients with respect to establishing business corporations, limited liability companies and partnerships as well as buying or selling a business, assisting clients with employment issues such as wrongful denial of benefits (unemployment, disability, or workers compensation), discrimination and sexual harassment. Mr. Privette represents individuals who have suffered the effects of personal or workplace injuries and represents clients zealously to ensure that they attain the compensation they deserve. He offers clients real estate services including but not...

Heather Fox is a highly skilled and dedicated criminal defense attorney based in the heart of Iredell County, North Carolina. With a passion for justice and a commitment to defending the rights of individuals facing legal challenges, Heather has earned a reputation as a tenacious advocate both inside and outside the courtroom. For Heather, every case is an opportunity to make a difference, protect rights, and seek justice. Heather was born and raised in Statesville, North Carolina. She is a double graduate from Liberty University, having completed her Bachelor’s degree in English in 2016 and her Juris Doctor in 2020. After...

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...

I enjoy working with clients to seek a just resolution of their dispute. Sometimes disputes can only be resolved by engaging the legal process through the courts, which I routinely do when necessary. My practice is concentrated on business ownership and control disputes, real estate and construction disputes (liens, payment and performance bonds, defective work claims, mediation and arbitration), summary ejectment and eviction proceedings, employment disputes, personal injury, and contract disputes.

Raleigh corporate lawyer Bob Morton is a true business and civil litigation generalist. He has successfully tried multiple civil jury trials. He regularly assists his business clients with planning, litigation avoidance, employment matters and virtually all other legal matters that his business clients face.

Bob believes that providing personal service and going the extra mile for clients isn’t just a good way to do business — it’s the only way to do business.

He has been featured as a consumer advocate on ABC’s “Good Morning America,” has served Three Terms as Chairman of the local Better Business Bureau (BBB), been recognized as...

Ana S. Nuñez practices in both our Criminal Defense and our Immigration practice areas. She was recruited from the Public Defender’s office in Wake County. Being an immigrant herself, she understands the importance of having an advocate in your corner when you need it the most. Fluent in Spanish, Ana serves on the Governor’s advisory council on Hispanic/Latino affairs, she has been named a Top 40 Under 40 Attorney by the National Trial Lawyers, and she was recognized with the Citizen Lawyer Award by the NC Bar Association for exemplary public service to her community. She is a graduate of...

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...

Angela was born in Connersville, Indiana in 1970. She was admitted to the North Carolina bar in 2000. Angela practices law in the following areas: workers’ compensation and personal injury. She attended Ball State University (B.S., 1993); Thomas M. Cooley Law School (J.D., 1999) Memberships/Associations: North Carolina State Bar Association; Onslow County Bar Association; North Carolina Academy of Trial Lawyers and North Carolina Bar Association Workers’ Compensation Section.

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...

Matthew Stauff believes the practice of law is a privilege that requires him to fight for those needing advocacy during life’s most trying times. He represents clients in divorce proceedings, child custody hearings, and defends those who have been wrongfully terminated from their jobs. During his nearly seven years with Legal Aid of North Carolina he developed extensive experience in family law, employment law, and civil litigation. While court is an option in many cases, Matthew believes that working matters out amicably through settlement leads towards a longer lasting outcome that is more cost-effective and efficient outcome.

Born and raised in...

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...

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...

Shannon Altamura is a highly reputable and skilled personal injury attorney with a primary office located in Asheboro, North Carolina. Ms. Altamura's personal injury practice assists injured clients in the following areas: car and trucking accidents, nursing home abuse or neglect, wrongful death, pedestrian injury, slip and fall injuries, premises liability, product defect, and worker's compensation. Ms. Altamura regularly battles insurance companies and other large corporations to obtain fair and favorable results for her clients, and she prioritizes providing exceptionally kind and attentive care to every one of her clients. Shannon Altamura has obtained numerous high value settlements in recent...

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...

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.

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...

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...

Attorney Rebecca A. Olla was raised in Austin, Texas. She obtained her undergraduate degree from Bryn Mawr College in Pennsylvania and her Law Degree from the University of Texas School of Law in Austin. Before joining The Bishop Law Firm, Rebecca worked for the Texas State Office of the Attorney General and the U.S. District Court of Southern New York. After working for the government (by the people), Rebecca refocused her practice to represent clients in federal appeals in U.S. District Court (for the people). Through her prior legal experience, Rebecca has learned that lawyers are needed to ensure positive outcomes for their...

I serve as the managing attorney at Maginnis Howard, a civil litigation firm based in Raleigh, NC, in Wake County. Our firm is unique in that we represent both plaintiffs and defendants in legal disputes. On the plaintiff side, my work primarily involves consumer class actions and business litigation. I previously held the position of chair for the Consumer Areas of Practice at the North Carolina Advocates for Justice. Our firm handles consumer cases on a contingency basis, covering issues under the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act (FDCPA), Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA), the Telephone Consumer Protection Act (TCPA), and related...

J. Michael Malone is a Raleigh, North Carolina lawyer that represents people injured as a result of someone's negligence or intentional acts. Mike represents injury victims across the State of North Carolina and has handled complex injury cases in most of the counties in North Carolina.

Mr. Malone focuses on complex personal injury cases including tractor-trailer wrecks motorcycle accidents, bicycle wrecks, car wrecks, burn injuries, insurance disputes, nursing home and assisted living abuse and mistreatment, pedestrian accidents, and virtually any other type of serious injury claim.

Mr. Malone also handles class action cases including insurance disputes and evacuation and...

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.

Weede Law, PLLC is a criminal defense law practice that handles all types of state and federal criminal cases. We serve the Triangle area as well as surrounding communities.

Attorney Patrick B. Weede, a former state and federal prosecutor and an experienced trial attorney, is uniquely qualified to handle your case. He knows how to identify the key issues and how to think like a prosecutor.

As a prosecutor, Mr. Weede handled almost every type of case, including traffic, DWI, drugs, fraud, property crimes, firearm offenses, common law/armed robbery, and murder. In addition, he...

Jeannette has 11 years of experience working in the insurance industry in claims handling. She has represented both plaintiffs and defendants and is bilingual in Spanish and English.

Fred Morelock received his bachelor’s degree from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill in 1974 and his law degree from UNC in 1976. He then practiced as a trial attorney for ten years in the areas of criminal defense and family law litigation before being appointed to the bench. He joined Tharrington Smith in 2001.

In 1986, Mr. Morelock was appointed by Governor James G. Martin to a Wake County district court judgeship. He was reelected three times and served for fourteen years. In 1990, Mr. Morelock became the first judge in Wake County to become a Certified...

Marsha Comeau
A native of upstate New York, Dan Clark moved to Charlotte, North Carolina in 1979 and in 1985 graduated with honors from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. He served first as a staff writer and then as an editorial board member on the North Carolina Law Review and upon graduation from UNC Law School in 1988 he joined Tharrington Smith.

Mr. Clark’s areas of practice include employment law, civil and business litigation, intellectual property law, and administrative law. He has counseled businesses and individuals, including legal, medical and other professional practices, individual executives, physicians, attorneys, scientists, engineers,...

Hill Allen is a partner in the firm and handles a broad range of civil and criminal litigation. His practice areas and recent cases include:

white-collar criminal defense;
healthcare fraud;
False Claims Act and qui tam, or whistleblower, litigation;
wrongful death and catastrophic personal injury;
antitrust litigation;
administrative law;
aviation and workplace accidents;
class actions and other commercial litigation;
campaign finance and political corruption matters;
environmental crimes;
intellectual property litigation;
mortgage fraud;
securities fraud;
trade secret and non-compete litigation; and
criminal tax investigations.

Mr. Allen's clients have included a former Olympic Gold medalist; a former North Carolina Lieutenant Governor...

Our nationally recognized Raleigh law firm focuses on criminal defense, family law, and professional license defense. A small firm mentality allows us to provide personalized attention to each matter. Our philosophy of tireless devotion to our clients and uncompromising honesty has earned us the reputation as one of the go-to firms in the State. We counsel our clients through all aspects of the case, providing the individual attention necessary to achieve justice and return peace to your life.

Kirk J. Angel, attorney and founder of The Angel Law Firm, PLLC, is a native of Western North Carolina. He received his BA in Philosophy from the University of North Carolina at Asheville. After graduating from UNC-Asheville, Mr. Angel attended the University of Tennessee where he received a Masters in Philosophy and his law degree in 1997. After graduating from UT, Mr. Angel practiced law with a small firm in Knoxville, Tennessee focusing his practice on employment law for employees as well as personal injury and worker's compensation. He returned to his home state to work as a Trial...

Erich has lived in North Carolina his entire life, and takes great pride in helping his fellow North Carolinians--individuals, families, and small businesspersons. Much of his practice is devoted to assisting people who have trouble with debt. A knowledgeable bankruptcy lawyer, he counsels clients on whether filing bankruptcy is their best option, and carefully guides them through the bankruptcy process. Erich also represents clients in debt-related non-bankruptcy litigation, including collections defense and unfair debt collection. Drawing on his experience as a bankruptcy law clerk, Erich can assist individuals and business that are parties to bankruptcy litigation, including defense of...

W. Carey Parker was born and raised in Statesville, North Carolina. After law school he returned to Statesville to join his father, David P. Parker, practicing law. Carey represents clients in the areas of family law, land litigation, civil litigation and estate planning and probate. Carey is heavily involved in the community he lives in - serving on several non-profit boards and as an elder at his church.