Members & Firms

MEET: Alex Dean

Introducing Alex Dean, an associate attorney at Orbock Ruark & Dillard, PC in Winston-Salem. Alex specializes in Workers' Compensation defense, bringing expertise and dedication to her practice. She graduated from Wake Forest University School of Law in 2020, where she served as a Notes & Comments Editor for the Wake Forest Journal of Law & Policy.

What drew you to the practice of law and to a litigation and trial practice?  I grew up knowing I enjoyed writing, reading, and talking in front of people. My grandfather and uncle were both attorneys, and I heard a lot about their legal careers during my childhood. In college, I gravitated towards classes that overlapped a lot with the pre-law track, but I also enjoyed courses that were focused more on nonfiction writing. When it was time to think about post-graduate plans, I decided to take the leap and apply to law school. In law school, I took a course in Litigation Drafting and participated in a Litigation Clinic. Both were integral in setting me up on the litigation path.

Who and/or what inspires you?  Good storytellers. I love listening to people who are really good at telling stories – people who can narrate events in a funny, entertaining, and honest way. Both of my parents are particularly good storytellers.

Also, kind and resilient people inspire me.

What are you reading or listening to?  I am always listening to podcasts and audiobooks, and I lean heavily towards nonfiction. I’m currently reading Born a Crime by Trevor Noah. He recently spoke at Wake Forest, and I knew I needed to read his book after hearing him speak. I’m also reading Outliers by Malcolm Gladwell. I also love the fashion and beauty industries, so I’m always looking for new books, podcasts, and articles that pull back the curtain on those worlds.

Describe your perfect day outside of work. This one is easy – any day at the beach.

Connect with Alex and say 'hello' and share an interesting Podcast or non-fiction book recommendation!

MEET:  Richard J. Keshian

Rich Keshian is a partner at Kilpatrick Townsend & Stockton in the firm's Winston-Salem office. He specializes in product liability and business litigation in the firm's Complex Commercial Litigation group. With over 80 cases tried to verdict in federal and state courts, he is an experienced trial lawyer. Rich is a graduate of Vanderbilt University School of Law and has been a member of NCADA for most of his legal career. Get to know him here!

What drew you to the practice of law and to a litigation and trial practice? The ability to advocate for others, and help them solve problems. I thought I wanted to be a real estate attorney for lifestyle reasons, but quickly learned that I love the competition involved in trial practice- it is the closest thing to sports.

How has membership in NCADA benefited your professional life? I have made life long friends who I still lean on for advice and wisdom.

What would you do if you were not a lawyer? High School social studies or English teacher and coach

What is the biggest career challenge you’ve had to overcome?  Learning to leave work at the office, rather than think about it when I am supposed to be sleeping

What is your favorite legal movie or TV show and why? Devil’s Advocate, because it vividly portrays the temptations to which we are all susceptible in our profession

Fun fact that people probably don’t know about you? I am still playing ice hockey, and have played in a number of pond hockey tournaments

What excites you the most right now? Spending time with my two young grandsons

What is one piece of professional or life advice you would tell your younger self? Don’t try to control or worry about that which is out of my control.

Thanks for sharing, Rich!  Be sure to connect with Rich today. 

MEET: Dee Whitley

Dee Whitley is a litigation attorney with Battle Winslow in Rocky Mount where he has practiced since 1990.  Dee's practice covers all civil litigation areas, including business, construction, fiduciary, caveat, and collections, with expertise in North Carolina's Business Court, Superior and District Courts. He also practices in Federal and Bankruptcy Courts in the Eastern District of North Carolina and has training in collaborative law.  An NCADA member since 1993, we asked Dee to share a little bit about himself to get to know him better.  

What drew you to the practice of law and to a litigation and trial practice?  The desire to be competitive and in front of a jury.

How has membership in NCADA benefited your professional life?  Contacts and education

What would you do if you were not a lawyer? Coach

What is the biggest career challenge you've had to overcome?  Being a poor marketer.

What is your favorite legal move or TV show and why?  My Cousin Vinnie.  Humor with jurors is good.

Fun fact that people probably don't know about you? Played football at NC State

If you could meet one person, dead or alive, to grab a coffee with, who would it be and why?  Teddy Roosevelt. Energy.

What excites you the most right now?  My wife.

What is one piece of professional or life advice you would like to tell your younger self?  Get out in the community and market.  Don't just rely on teh people you already know.

Be sure to reach out to Dee to say hello and connect!

MEET:  Allen C. Smith

Introducing Allen C. Smith, a partner specializing in Civil Litigation at Hedrick Gardner Kincheloe & Garofalo, LLP.   Allen currently serves as chair of the firm’s Trucking and Transportation Practice Group and chair of the Civil Litigation Practice.  Allen graduated from UNC School of Law in 1992. He is a past president of NCADA and now represents NCADA as our DRI State Representative for which he was recognized last fall with the Kevin Driskill Outstanding State Representative Award,  If you don't already know Allen, get to know him a little bit here!

What drew you to the practice of law and to a litigation and trial practice? A lot of attorneys coached basketball at the Central YMCA when I was growing up. I had attorneys four of the five years I played. One was a real jerk, but all of others were nice. As for litigation, I really enjoyed it during my summer clerkships.

How has membership in NCADA benefited your professional life? Meeting other defense lawyers across the state has allowed me to get information on different judges and venues. The annual meetings recharge my batteries.

What would you do if you were not a lawyer? At one point, I had a great deal of interest in teaching history. My unlikely but dream scenario is to be a golf writer and reporter.

What is the biggest career challenge you’ve had to overcome? Having at least two clients go out of business.

What is your favorite legal movie or TV show and why? Suits – great dialogue on this TV show, particularly movie quotes. For movies, My Cousin Vinnie. It came out while I was in law school. Made me want to pass the bar on the first try – did not want fifth time to be charm. Awesome scene on qualifying expert witnesses.

Fun fact that people probably don’t know about you? There is a fun fact about me?

If you could meet one person, dead or alive, to grab a coffee with, who would it be and why? Winston Churchill – the drink would not be coffee! He saved the free world.

What excites you the most right now? Professionally, I love large cases with multiple defendants. They are challenging but they present good learning opportunities. I like seeing how other defense attorneys handle different situations with witnesses in depositions, etc.

What is one piece of professional or life advice you would tell your younger self? Learn how to take a strong stand without being confrontational.

MEET:  Mark A. Stafford

Mark Stafford is a partner at Nelson Mullins Riley & Scarborough in Winston-Salem, specializing in commercial litigation. He is  serving on NCADA's Board of Directors and previously chairing the Commercial Litigation Practice Group.   Mark a proud graduate of  UNC-Chapel Hill School of Law. 

What drew you to the practice of law and to a litigation and trial practice? I was drawn to law because of the variety in the work—With each matter, I get to be a voyeur on how many interesting ways people earn their living. I specifically chose litigation because it poses the ultimate challenge in resolving client problems.

How has membership in NCADA benefited your professional life? The networking and contacts (including interaction with judges) has proved invaluable.

What would you do if you were not a lawyer? Write fiction.

What is the biggest career challenge you’ve had to overcome? How the complications of litigation (e-discovery, frequent personnel turnover at clients, etc.) have grown and the resulting expense for clients in obtaining their day in court.

What is your favorite legal movie or TV show and why? The Paper Chase from 1973—it illustrates so accurately the arduous path one’s mind must take to make it through law school.

Fun fact that people probably don’t know about you? I play mandolin—very poorly

If you could meet one person, dead or alive, to grab a coffee with, who would it be and why? Ernest Hemingway—his life story is so varied. Oh, and it would be over a cup of absinthe, not coffee.

What is the strangest thing you’ve ever done? I once killed and barbecued a squirrel.

What excites you the most right now? Evenings with my wife now that my kids have left home.

What is one piece of professional or life advice you would tell your younger self? Throughout your career, never focus too much on the money.

Thanks, Mark, for sharing!

MEET:  Lori R. Keeton

Lori Keeton is the owner and partner at the Law Offices of Lori Keeton in Charlotte, NC. With experience in municipal law, her practice focuses on defending police officers who are facing lawsuits involving alleged use of excessive force. Lori is a graduate of the University of Florida School of Law. An active NCADA member since 2004, Lori is a past chair of our Government Practice Group.  Join us in getting to learn a little bit more about Lori!

What drew you to the practice of law and to a litigation and trial practice? My stepfather was Judge Advocate General of the Army and then Dean of Mississippi College School of Law. My mother was an English teacher. Together, they taught me to love words and recognize their potential power which naturally led to a career in litigation (…and of course my sisters represented the perfect sparring partners to help me hone my skills!)

What would you do if you were not a lawyer? I would be a teacher if I were not a lawyer. I taught remedial English at a community college in Fort Myers, Florida the summer between my first and second years of law school. The majority of my students were older than I was and had full time jobs in addition to taking classes. English was a second language for many of them. They worked so hard to improve themselves. It was incredibly rewarding to watch them progress over the course of the semester.

Fun fact that people probably don’t know about you? I worked as a courier for a large law firm while in high school and on breaks from college. It taught me SO much about who I wanted to be- and who I did not want to be- once I became an attorney.

If you could meet one person, dead or alive, to grab a coffee with, who would it be and why? Dolly Parton- I love her confidence, her kind heart and her work ethic… not to mention her hair (Tease it to Jesus!)

What excites you the most right now? My almost three-year-old goldendoodle, Finn. For anyone who follows me on Facebook or Instagram, this comes as no surprise to you as I post pictures of him constantly. I never thought I would be “that person,” but I am 100% “that person” when it comes to Finn.

What is one piece of professional or life advice you would tell your younger self? “Don’t worry- your time is coming!”

MEET:  Sydney P. Davis

Sydney P. Davis is an associate in the Litigation Section at Poyner Spruill LLP, based in the firm's Rocky Mount office.  Sydney focuses her practice on civil and commercial litigation, defending her clients in federal and state courts.  She graduated from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill's School of Law in 2021.

What are your future goals and aspirations for your career?  To continue to strengthen and hone my legal writing skills; to become the most effective advocate for my clients; and to be a role model/mentor for first-generation attorneys like myself.

What are you reading or listening to?  1989 (Taylor’s Version) by Taylor Swift (on repeat).

If you could have any superpower what would it be?  The ability to have more than 24 hours in a day – we could all use a few more hours to be the best version of ourselves.

How do you define success?  To me, success is satisfaction. Satisfaction is not being content but always yearning for more, while still being pleased with what you’ve accomplished to date. Accomplishments are like building blocks that carry you to new heights on the strong foundation you have built.

Connect with Sydney!

MEET: John L. Kubis, Jr.

John Kubis is a partner at Teague Campbell, LLP and works in the firm's Asheville office. He specializes in complex litigation, catastrophic injuries, and large loss litigation. He earned his law degree from the Appalachian School of Law in 2007 and is licensed to practice law in Kentucky and North Carolina. Additionally, he has previously served as the chair of the Construction practice group for the NCADA. If you're not familiar with John, take a moment to learn more about him here.

What drew you to the practice of law and to a litigation and trial practice?  One semester in engineering made it quite clear that was not my calling. In all seriousness, I knew from a relatively young age that I wanted to do something that made a difference. That leaves a lot of options and was not very original, but for me it seemed clear that it would involve some kind of advocacy. Eventually, after a pit-stop in biotech, a brief stint at a think tank in D.C., and some time at the Kentucky Supreme Court, I found my calling in litigation which allowed me to advocate on behalf of people, governments, and businesses that find themselves in bad situations. It also allowed me to cater to my competitive streak.

How has membership in NCADA benefited your professional life?I’ve said many times that North Carolina has one of the best and most collegial bars anywhere, and I think some of the very best of those people find their way into the NCADA. It’s been a great place to make connections with your peers, many of whom you will cross paths with throughout your career. Having those personal relationships goes a long way to defuse stressful situations while in the trenches of a difficult case.

What would you do if you were not a lawyer?  Probably something highly impractical like a travel writer.

What is the biggest career challenge you’ve had to overcome?  Learning that you really don’t know much of anything as a young lawyer can be a jolting experience. Realizing that it takes quite a long time before you know a little bit about what you’re doing, and that someone is always going to know more than you do is both a humbling process and an important lesson in life. Identifying good lawyers and doing what they do is a really solid strategy.

If you could meet one person, dead or alive, to grab a coffee with, who would it be and why?  Ben Franklin. He was so instrumental in shaping American democracy through his writings and political philosophy and was key in popularizing many of the values we identify as uniquely American. It would be fascinating to get his take on how things look now.

What is the strangest thing you’ve ever done?  Drove down to the middle of the Everglades at the turn of the millennium to watch the band Phish play an all-night set.

What excites you the most right now?  Travel. Exploring new and familiar places, for me, is one of life’s great pleasures. I’m always looking forward to the next adventure and currently getting ready to go to Northern Europe.

What is one piece of professional or life advice you would tell your younger self?  Relax. It will all work out.

Thank you, John, for sharing!

 MEET:  Kayla N. McDaniel

Kayla McDaniel is an attorney at Cranfill Sumner LLP located in Charlotte. She specializes in Employment and Municipal law. Kayla recently graduated from the Campbell University School of Law in 2021, and we're excited to introduce you to her!

What drew you to the practice of law and to a litigation and trial practice?  I have always had a strong sense of justice, so I knew I wanted to be in a field where I had the opportunity to make a difference with my work. In the spirit of full disclosure, I’ve also always appreciated a good argument. Litigation is a great fit for me because no two days are alike, and I find the variety and challenging nature of this work to be very rewarding.

What are your future goals and aspirations for your career?  I can’t see myself being anything other than a litigator, and my goal is to continue to expand my practice defending private employers and municipalities facing employment actions in the Charlotte area.

Who and/or what inspires you?  Possibly a corny answer, but I have tremendous respect for the people I work with at my firm. I feel extremely lucky to be surrounded by such talented partners and associates and they inspire me to be a better lawyer.

If you could meet one person, dead or alive, to grab a coffee with, who would it be and why?  Jon Krakauer because he wrote some of my all-time favorite books, and has had an incredibly fascinating life.

What are you reading or listening to?  I tend to juggle multiple books at once because I have a fairly short attention span, so right now I’m reading Hello Beautiful and The Secret History for fun, and Happy Place for my book club.

What excites you the most right now?  Traveling! I just got back from Germany and am planning a road trip in California next year.

Describe your perfect day outside of work. My perfect day outside of work would be spent hiking around the Blue Ridge Parkway with my shih tzu Buttons (she’s 12 but surprisingly adventurous!) and then going to my favorite used bookstore and to yoga, and ending the day with a concert.

If you could have any superpower what would it be?  I’ve actually thought about this a lot before, and I would definitely pick teleportation strictly for the convenience, because I love traveling and would be able to see so much more of the world if I didn’t have to deal with the whole “getting there” process.

How do you define success?  Professionally, I define success as the feeling of satisfaction in your work that comes from knowing that you put everything you had into it, no matter the outcome. Outside of work, I would say that success means having a life that is centered around meaningful relationships with friends and family.

Connect with Kayla!