Honorees include attorneys in business, bankruptcy, employment, litigation and family law.
Charlotte – Six attorneys with the law firm of Essex Richards in Charlotte have been named North Carolina’s Legal Elite for 2015 by Business North Carolina magazine.
The honor is given annually to the state’s top lawyers, as judged by their peers. Fewer than three percent of North Carolina’s attorneys received the commendation.
Honorees at Essex Richards include:
Rob Blair – A family law attorney, Rob Blair has been named to Legal Elite every year since 2007.
Woody Connette – Recognized by Legal Elite annually since the inception of the award in 2002, Connette was honored in two categories, employment and litigation.
Heather Culp – Culp earned Legal Elite recognition in bankruptcy law. This year marks her fifth appearance on the Legal Elite list.
Marc Gustafson – Gustafson was honored for his employment law expertise.
Steve Morris – Morris was honored for business law and is one of Essex Richards’ founding partners.
N. Renee Hughes – Hughes received special recognition in employment law as a member of Legal Elite’s Hall of Fame, having received the most votes in that category in the year of her induction.
“We’re gratified that almost half of our firm’s attorneys are included among the state’s legal elite. That’s a high percentage,” says Essex Richards partner Marc Gustafson. “The fact that the recognition comes from our peers is particularly meaningful.”
Legal Elite honorees are chosen by active members of the North Carolina State Bar. A record number of ballots were submitted, according to Business North Carolina, and fewer than three percent of the state’s lawyers made the list.