Firm News

We are proud to announce that the North Carolina Association of Defense Attorneys (NCADA) selected Attorney Kristine L. Prati to serve a three-year term on its Board of Directors.  Ms. Prati assumed her new role at the close of the NCADA’s business meeting of the 46^th Annual Conference on June 10, 2023.  She is completing service as the 2022-2023 Chair of the Workers’ Compensation Practice Group of the North Carolina Association of Defense Attorneys, and previously served as the 2021-2022 Vice-Chair of the Workers’ Compensation Practice Group of the North Carolina Association of Defense Attorneys.

Read the entire press release here.

The NCADA was founded in 1977 and is a resource for education, networking, and information sharing for defense counsels.  The organization is committed to enhancing the skills, effectiveness, and professionalism of civil trial lawyers, as well as anticipating and addressing issues relevant to defense lawyers and the civil justice system.  As a board member, Ms. Prati will add insight, experience, and knowledge from her defense practice to assist the organization in its mission.

The North Carolina Association of Defense Attorneys 46th Annual Meeting will be held in Hilton Head Island, South Carolina, June 8, 2023 through June 10, 2023.  Attorney Kristine L. Prati, 2022-2023 Vice-chair of the Workers’ Compensation practice group of the NCADA, will speak before other professionals on the ‘Impact of Recent Opinions in Workers’ Compensation’. This year, her session will provide a summary of the recent decisions in the first extended benefits case, Sturdivant v. N.C. Dept. of Public Safety, and will include in depth discussion on the removal of second opinions from the fee schedule, lack of definition of “usual and customary” fees, and ongoing pre-payment issues.

We are proud to announce that Dan was featured in the recent North Carolina State Bar Spring 2023 Journal!  Dan Pope’s connection to Ukraine and Ukrainian culture is deeply important to him and to his family. Uniting for Ukraine (“U for U”) provides a pathway for Ukrainian citizens and their immediate family members who are outside the United States to come to the US and stay temporarily in a two-year period of parole.  Find out how Dan and attorney Benjamin A. Snyder, chair of the Immigration Subcommittee of the North Carolina State Bar’s Board of Legal Specialization, joined forces to help a family arrive in the United States by reading the full publication here.

We give sincere thanks to all, including Dan and Ben, who have supported the humanitarian aid for Ukraine.  To find out more about the United for Ukraine project, visit DHS, USCIS or United for Ukraine.

We are pleased to announce that 3 attorneys have been named 2023 North Carolina Super Lawyers by Super Lawyers magazine!

James E. R. Ratledge for Workers’ Compensation

Reginald B. Gillespie, Jr. for Business Litigation

Daniel C. Pope, Jr. for Workers’ Compensation

Super Lawyers is a rating service of outstanding lawyers from more than 70 practice areas who have attained a high-degree of peer recognition and professional achievement. The annual selections are made using a rigorous multi‐phased process that includes a statewide survey of lawyers, an independent research evaluation of candidates, and peer reviews by practice area.  Congratulations Jamie, Reggie, and Dan!

The 2022 North Carolina Public Risk Management Association’s Annual Educational Conference will be held in Wrightsville Beach, September 11, 2022 through September 14, 2022.  Attorney Frances M. Clement, along with Henry Smith of Fayetteville Public Works Commission, will speak before other professionals on “Drugs, Lies & Dollar Bills:  A Breakdown of the Intoxication Defense, Misrepresentation Defense, and Penalties for Safety Violations”.

The North Carolina Association of Defense Attorneys 45th Annual Meeting and 12th Biennial Judicial Candidates’ Forum will be held in Wilmington, June 16, 2022 through June 19, 2022.  Attorney Kristine L. Prati, 2021-2022 Vice-Chair of the Workers’ Compensation practice group of the NCADA, will speak before other professionals on “Futility” Cases In Workers’ Compensation.  Her session will provide a history of “futility” cases, the issues related to such cases, and lessons learned.