Raleigh, NC – August 16, 2024 – Tharrington Smith, LLP is proud to announce that 20 of our distinguished attorneys have been recognized in the 2025 edition of The Best Lawyers in America®, and 5 have been included in the 2025 edition of Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch® in America. These recognitions highlight excellence across 14 unique practice areas, showcasing our firm’s commitment to legal excellence.
Since its inaugural edition in 1983, Best Lawyers has become the definitive guide to legal excellence. Our firm is proud to consistently meet its high standards, with many attorneys featured year after year. The lawyers on The Best Lawyers list are reviewed by peers based on professional expertise and undergo a thorough authentication process to ensure they are currently practicing and in good standing.
Wade M. Smith, co-founder of Tharrington Smith, has been recognized by Best Lawyers for over 40 years and has been named the 2025 Best Lawyers® “Lawyer of the Year” in the Raleigh area. His exceptional career and leadership have greatly contributed to the firm’s reputation for legal excellence. Joining him in long-term recognition are Lynn P. Burleson and Jaye Meyer, each of whom has been recognized for 25 consecutive years, demonstrating their consistent commitment to excellence in their respective fields.
Fred Morelock, who has been recognized by Best Lawyers since 2006, shared his thoughts: “The ongoing recognition from Best Lawyers since 2006 is a significant milestone in my career. It reflects the dedication and support of my colleagues at Tharrington Smith, who play a crucial role in our collective success.”
Maura O’Keefe, named to the Ones to Watch list for the second year, expressed her gratitude: “Being named to the Ones to Watch list for the second year is truly humbling. This recognition reflects the collective effort and support of my amazing colleagues at Tharrington Smith. I am grateful to be part of such a dedicated team and look forward to continuing our work together.”
Tharrington Smith, LLP congratulates the following 20 attorneys recognized in the 2025 Best Lawyers in America list:
- F. Hill Allen – Commercial Litigation, Criminal Defense: White Collar (recognized for 14 consecutive years)
- Russell D. Babb – Criminal Defense: General Practice, Criminal Defense: White Collar (recognized for 8 consecutive years)
- Mary Aiken Barrow – Family Law (recognized for 2 consecutive years)
- Jonathan A. Blumberg – Education Law (recognized for 13 consecutive years)
- Lynn P. Burleson – Family Law (recognized for 25 consecutive years)
- Howard Cummings – Criminal Defense: General Practice (recognized for 5 consecutive years)
- Kris Gardner – Commercial Litigation (recognized for 2 consecutive years)
- Melissa Hill – Criminal Defense: White-Collar (recognized for 16 consecutive years)
- Evan Horwitz – Family Law (recognized for 10 consecutive years)
- Douglas E. Kingsbery – Bet-the-Company Litigation, Commercial Litigation, Criminal Defense: White-Collar (recognized for 21 consecutive years)
- Rod Malone – Construction Law (recognized for 2 consecutive years)
- Steven D. Mansbery – Family Law (recognized for 10 consecutive years)
- Jaye Meyer – Family Law (recognized for 25 consecutive years)
- Fred M. Morelock – Family Law, Family Law Mediation (recognized for 15 consecutive years)
- Carolyn Murchison – Education Law (recognized for 4 consecutive years)
- Jeffrey R. Russell – Family Law (recognized for 2 consecutive years)
- Roger W. Smith, Jr. – Criminal Defense: General Practice, DUI/DWI Defense (recognized for 10 consecutive years)
- Wade M. Smith – Bet-the-Company Litigation, Criminal Defense: General Practice, Criminal Defense: White-Collar (recognized for over 40 years)
- Ken Soo – Appellate Practice, Litigation – Labor and Employment (recognized for 5 consecutive years)
- Alice C. Stubbs – Family Law (recognized for 16 consecutive years)
Additionally, Tharrington Smith, LLP congratulates the following 5 attorneys recognized in the 2025 Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch® in America list:
- Casey Fidler – Family Law (recognized for 2 consecutive years)
- Melissa Michaud – Education Law (recognized for 2 consecutive years)
- Maura O’Keefe – Education Law (recognized for 2 consecutive years)
- Stephen Rawson – Education Law (recognized for 3 consecutive years)
- Patricia Robinson – Education Law (recognized for 2 consecutive years)
These accolades reflect our attorneys’ commitment to their clients and the legal profession. We are proud to see our firm’s legacy of excellence recognized and look forward to continuing to serve our clients with the same dedication and integrity.
About Tharrington Smith LLP:
The attorneys at Tharrington Smith, LLP pride themselves on providing the highest quality professional legal services available. The motto “We don’t deal with cases, we deal with people” is the foundation of their practice, and they have been building successful relationships in the state since 1964. Because of this, the firm has grown practices that reach across North Carolina and has earned a reputation that spreads across the nation. Focusing on the core proficiencies of family law, education law, criminal defense, criminal tax defense, and civil litigation, Tharrington Smith, LLP has helped countless individuals, companies, and governmental boards find lasting resolutions to their legal issues in North Carolina for 60 years.
© Tharrington Smith, LLP
