We are pleased to announce that the 2026 Edition of The Best Lawyers in America^®recognizes 28 Bell, Davis, & Pitt attorneys, including 6 Bell, Davis & Pitt attorneys named "Lawyers of the Year" and 3 attorneys named “Ones To Watch.” *

The "Lawyers of the Year" award recognizes the attorney with the highest overall peer feedback for a practice area in a specific region. The attorneys who received the "Lawyers of the Year" designation for their respective practice areas are:

Charlotte

• Edward B. Davis Appellate Practice

Triad

• Daniel C. Bruton Bankruptcy and Creditor Debtor Rights / Insolvency and Reorganization Law
• Galen G. Craun III Business Organizations (including LLCs and Partnerships)
• Mark A. Jones Criminal Defense: White-Collar
• Michael D. Phillips Litigation - Health Care
• Kevin G. Williams Litigation - Intellectual Property

A total of 25 attorneys from the firm have been named to the 2026 Edition of The Best Lawyers in America^® list. The Bell, Davis & Pitt attorneys recognized, along with the relevant practice area(s), are:

Charlotte, NC

• Edward B. Davis (Recognized in Best Lawyers since 2013)
  • Appellate Practice
  • Commercial Litigation
  • Litigation - Construction
  • Litigation - Insurance
  • Mediation
• Joshua B. Durham (Recognized in Best Lawyers since 2019)
  • Commercial Litigation
  • Litigation - Intellectual Property
• Lacey Moore Duskin (Recognized in Best Lawyers since 2025)
  • Litigation - Construction
• Marc E. Gustafson (Recognized in Best Lawyers since 2018)
  • Commercial Litigation
  • Employment Law - Individuals
  • Litigation - Labor and Employment
  • Mediation
• Jeremy Sugg (Recognized in Best Lawyers since 2024)
  • Commercial Litigation

Winston-Salem, NC

• Frank M. Bell, Jr. (Recognized in Best Lawyers since 1989)
  • Real Estate Law
• Daniel C. Bruton (Recognized in Best Lawyers since 2010)
  • Bankruptcy and Creditor Debtor Rights / Insolvency and Reorganization Law
  • Commercial Litigation
  • Litigation - Bankruptcy
• Kris Bryant (Recognized in Best Lawyers since 2024)
  • Business Organizations (including LLCs and Partnerships)
  • Closely Held Companies and Family Businesses Law
  • Corporate Law
• Jones P. Byrd, Jr. (Recognized in Best Lawyers since 2024)
  • Criminal Defense: General Practice
  • Criminal Defense: White-Collar
• D. Anderson Carmen (Recognized in Best Lawyers since 2009)
  • Bankruptcy and Creditor Debtor Rights / Insolvency and Reorganization Law
  • Construction Law
  • Litigation - Construction
  • Mediation
• John A. Cocklereece, Jr. (Recognized in Best Lawyers since 2011)
  • Business Organizations (including LLCs and Partnerships)
  • Closely Held Companies and Family Businesses Law
  • Corporate Law
  • Litigation and Controversy - Tax
  • Tax Law
  • Trusts and Estates
• Galen G. Craun III (Recognized in Best Lawyers since 2015)
  • Business Organizations (including LLCs and Partnerships)
  • Closely Held Companies and Family Businesses Law
  • Corporate Law
  • Tax Law
• William K. Davis (Recognized in Best Lawyers since 1993)
  • Bet-the-Company Litigation
  • Commercial Litigation
  • Litigation - Banking and Finance
  • Litigation - Construction
  • Litigation - Insurance
  • Medical Malpractice Law - Defendants
  • Personal Injury Litigation - Defendants
• Adam T. Duke (Recognized in Best Lawyers since 2025)
  • Bankruptcy and Creditor Debtor Rights / Insolvency and Reorganization Law
  • Commercial Transactions / UCC Law
  • Real Estate Law
• Andrew Freeman (Recognized in Best Lawyers since 2020)
  • Commercial Litigation
  • Litigation - Banking and Finance
  • Litigation - Intellectual Property
• Bradley Friesen (Recognized in Best Lawyers since 2021)
  • Commercial Litigation
  • Litigation - Insurance
  • Litigation - Land Use and Zoning
  • Litigation - Real Estate
• Clara Ignich (Recognized in Best Lawyers since 2025)
  • Collaborative Law: Family Law
  • Family Law
  • Family Law Arbitration
• James M. Iseman Jr. (Recognized in Best Lawyers since 2015)
  • Business Organizations (including LLCs and Partnerships)
  • Corporate Law
  • Tax Law
  • Trusts and Estates
• Mark A. Jones (Recognized in Best Lawyers since 2017)
  • Criminal Defense: White-Collar
  • Litigation - Health Care
• Mallory M. Oates (Recognized in Best Lawyers since 2021)
  • Real Estate Law
• Michael D. Phillips (Recognized in Best Lawyers since 2024)
  • Litigation - Banking and Finance
  • Litigation - Health Care
• Walter W. Pitt, Jr. (Recognized in Best Lawyers since 1995)
  • Administrative / Regulatory Law
  • Banking and Finance Law
  • Bankruptcy and Creditor Debtor Rights / Insolvency and Reorganization Law
  • Real Estate Law
• Alan M. Ruley (Recognized in Best Lawyers since 2006)
  • Bet-the-Company Litigation
  • Commercial Litigation
  • Litigation - Banking and Finance
  • Litigation - Insurance
  • Litigation - Intellectual Property
• Amy K. Smith (Recognized in Best Lawyers since 2007)
  • Elder Law
  • Tax Law
  • Trusts and Estates
• Kevin G. Williams (Recognized in Best Lawyers since 2010)
  • Bet-the-Company Litigation
  • Commercial Litigation
  • Litigation - Banking and Finance
  • Litigation - Construction
  • Litigation - Insurance
  • Litigation - Intellectual Property
  • Litigation - Trusts and Estates

“Ones to Watch” highlights attorneys who are early in their careers (typically 5–10 years of practice) and are already demonstrating outstanding professional excellence in their practice areas. Unlike the traditional "Best Lawyers" list, this recognition focuses on emerging talent and is based on peer review, meaning other lawyers and clients have acknowledged their skill, professionalism, and impact. Being named a “One to Watch” signals that these attorneys are making a significant mark in their field and are poised for future leadership within the legal community. The attorneys who received the "Ones To Watch" designation for their respective practice areas are:

• Ashley V. DiMuzio | Criminal Defense: General Practice
• Carson D. Schneider | Appellate Practice
• Travis Woolen | Tax Law, Trusts and Estates

   

To learn more about each attorney, visit the "Our Team" page HERE.

*Recognition for Best Lawyers is based entirely by peer review by leading lawyers. The Best Lawyers methodology includes a nomination process, peer-review voting, analysis of feedback, and an eligibility check.