Jay H. Ferguson

(Durham, NC) – Durham attorney Jay H. Ferguson is honored by North Carolina Super Lawyers magazine as one of the top attorneys in North Carolina for 2012.  Only five percent of the lawyers in the state are named by Super Lawyers.

“It is very rewarding to work on behalf of your clients in the field of law,” said Jay Ferguson. “However, the Super Lawyers designation is an acknowledgement that comes from your peers, and I am honored to be recognized by my fellow attorneys in this way.”

The selections for this esteemed list are made by the research team at Super Lawyers, which is a service of the Thomson Reuters, Legal division based in Eagan, MN.  Each year, the research team at Super Lawyers undertakes a rigorous multi-phase selection process that includes a statewide survey of lawyers, independent evaluation of candidates by the attorney-led research staff, a peer review of candidates by practice area, and a good-standing and disciplinary check.

Jay Ferguson has practiced law in North Carolina since 1990, navigating clients through all aspects of litigation in both state and federal court.   Throughout his career Jay has been a staunch advocate for people in need of help, whether they are victims of catastrophic injury or wrongful death, landowners whose property is in jeopardy of condemnation, or people accused of crimes. See the attached background sheet for more information.

Thomson Reuters, Legal publishes Super Lawyers magazines across the country. In addition to the magazines, Thomson Reuters, Legal publishes newspaper inserts and magazine special sections devoted to Super Lawyers.  In 2010, Super Lawyers will reach more than 15 million
readers.

Super Lawyers was first published in 1991 by Law & Politics and was acquired by Thomson Reuters, Legal in February 2010.  Thomson Reuters is the world’s leading source of intelligent information for businesses and professionals.  Super Lawyers can be found online at superlawyers.com where lawyers can be searched by practice area and location.

Jay H. Ferguson

From the WRAL.com news story – Lawyers for a Cumberland County man on North Carolina’s death row for a 1991 murder argued Wednesday that the jury selection in his trial was racially biased and his sentence should be commuted to life in prison.

Marcus Robinson’s case is the first under the 2-year-old Racial Justice Act, which allows death row inmates to use statistical evidence to challenge their sentences. Robinson, who is black, was convicted of robbing and killing a white teenager.

Superior Court Judge Gregory Weeks isn’t expected to issue a ruling in the case for at least two months. If he agrees that racial bias played a role in the case, Robinson would be re-sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole.

Defense attorney Jay Ferguson told Weeks that there is a “stark disparity” in the number of blacks struck from serving on juries as opposed to whites. Read more here.

Read more about attorney Jay Ferguson at the website of Thomas, Ferguson and Mullins, LLP.

William Thomas II

Durham attorney William J. (Bill) Thomas II is honored by North Carolina Super Lawyers magazine as one of the top attorneys in North Carolina for 2012.  Only five percent of the lawyers in the state are named by Super Lawyers.

“I don’t think attorneys think about earning honors when they’re working on behalf of their clients daily,” said Bill Thomas. “But it’s rewarding to know that your work is being noticed and acknowledged through a peer-reviewed organization like Super Lawyers.”

The selections for this esteemed list are made by the research team at Super Lawyers, which is a service of the Thomson Reuters, Legal division based in Eagan, MN.  Each year, the research team at Super Lawyers undertakes a rigorous multi-phase selection process that includes a statewide survey of lawyers, independent evaluation of candidates by the attorney-led research staff, a peer review of candidates by practice area, and a good-standing and disciplinary check.

Bill Thomas has practiced law in Durham County since 1979 and has substantial experience litigating serious criminal and complex civil cases in federal and state courts.  For more than 30 years he has served as a zealous advocate for the rights of the individual in cases involving criminal law, catastrophic injury, wrongful death and eminent domain (land condemnation).  See the attached background sheet for more information.

Thomson Reuters, Legal publishes Super Lawyers magazines across the country. In addition to the magazines, Thomson Reuters, Legal publishes newspaper inserts and magazine special sections devoted to Super Lawyers.  In 2010, Super Lawyers will reach more than 15 million
readers.

Super Lawyers was first published in 1991 by Law & Politics and was acquired by Thomson Reuters, Legal in February 2010.  Thomson Reuters is the world’s leading source of intelligent information for businesses and professionals.  Super Lawyers can be found online at superlawyers.com where lawyers can be searched by practice area and location.

William Thomas II

From the Herald-Sun of Durham

DURHAM — Senior Resident Superior Court Judge Orlando Hudson on Friday downplayed a N.C. Bar Association survey that gave mixed grades to him and other western Triangle judges.

“Ultimately, I don’t really know how useful it is,” he said of the survey, which gave lawyers opinions’ about 13 Superior Court and 147 District Court judges who are up for re-election this year.

The survey indicated that the surveyed lawyers who have practiced in Hudson’s court regard him as a “good” judge.

But his overall score — 4.03 on a scale of 5 — ranked ninth out of the 13 Superior Court judges across the state who have signaled that might run this year for another term.

… A Durham criminal-defense lawyer, Bill Thomas, on Friday acknowledged that he’d participated in the survey and praised the bar association for putting it together.

“I thought the questions were well-considered and I think the process is a very fair process for evaluating judges,” he said. “I certainly applaud the efforts of the N.C. Bar Association to inform the public about judges who are up for re-election.”

Read more: The Herald-Sun – Hudson questions bar survey

Jay H. Ferguson

RALEIGH, N.C. — All but three of North Carolina’s 157 death row inmates are waiting for their day in court to argue that racial bias played a role in their case. But the law that gives them hope is on shaky ground.

State lawmakers are scheduled to congregate in Raleigh Sunday night for the start of a three-day session that could result in the gutting of the historic Racial Justice Act…

An inmate’s case scheduled to be heard in Cumberland County in January highlights the disparities. Defense attorneys say prosecutors pushing for the repeal of the Racial Justice Act this month are making a Hail Mary maneuver because the Cumberland County case could expose problems.

“They’re doing that instead of trying to defend their actions in court,” said Jay Ferguson, a lawyer in Durham, N.C., who is shepherding another inmate’s case in Wake County Superior Court.

While Mullins’ firm, Thomas, Ferguson & Mullins, L.L.P., is based in Durham, North

Philip Mullins IV

Carolina, he credits his upbringing in Hickory, North Carolina for providing him with a strong background for his choice of a career in the law.

“I owe so much to others,” Mullins noted in discussing the honor.  “There are so many people in my life who helped shape me, they deserve more credit than they’ll probably ever get.  No one ever gets these kinds of awards in a highly competitive occupation without owing a lot of thanks to the people who helped them along the way.  I want to thank my family, law partners and staff for their support.”

Mullins recalled his upbringing in Hickory in talking about the foundation of his adult life and career.  “I wish my father would have lived to see me earn this honor.  I’m incredibly glad that my mother and siblings are here to enjoy in this recognition.  My family has always loved Hickory, and I was raised to try my best to make my hometown proud.

Mullins citied two sports experiences in Hickory as having a strong influence in his life.  “I had the honor of being on two state championship baseball teams in Hickory.  We played tournaments where the kids on other teams didn’t have the privilege of the kinds of coaches had.   I can tell you that with teammates like David Craft, Jeff Thompson, Kevin Hendricks, Alan Gorry, Ronnie Hayes, Spencer Lilly and Brad Griffith, I was not the most talented player.  But, with baseball coaches like Tom Lilly, Danny Thompson, David Beard, and Ted Hayes, I learned the meaning of hard work, dedication and teamwork.”

“In basketball, my Hickory coaches were Jim Pitts, Wes Dunlap and Dickie James. They instilled those same values that I had learned in baseball.”

“Those Hickory coaches and teammates helped me to become good enough, mentally and physically, to play sports at the high school and even the small college level.“

Those early lessons in sports translated into career and life lessons for Mullins as well. “Many of the attitudes and mental toughness that I learned from sports back then translated into the job market.  Most kids won’t be professional athletes or even scholarship athletes in college. But my coaches and teammates in Hickory helped me become a better person.  It makes me a better lawyer.”

About Philip A. Mullins, IV:

Honors and Awards

Philip is a member of the Million Dollar Advocates Forum, one of the most prestigious groups of trial lawyers in the country with membership limited to attorneys who have won million and multi-million dollar verdicts and settlements and was named to the “Top 100 Trial Lawyers in North Carolina” by the American Trial Lawyers Association.  Philip has been voted by his peers as one of “The Best Lawyers in America” which is considered to be a singular honor conferred on a lawyer by his peers.

Professional Activities

Philip is a member of the North Carolina Bar Association, North Carolina Advocates for Justice (formerly the North Carolina Academy of Trial Lawyers), American Bar Association, and Durham County Bar Association where he served as President in 2010-11.  Philip has served as an officer within committees for the Durham County Bar Association.

Philip is admitted to practice in the courts of the State of North Carolina and the United States District Court for the Middle and Eastern Districts of North Carolina, the Fourth Circuit United States Court of Appeals, and the United States Supreme Court.

Education

B.A., 1988, Wheaton College;  J.D., 1993, Campbell University.  At Campbell he was selected to represent the school on the International Moot Court team, was a published member of the Campbell Law Review, and received the Thomas Anderson Scholarship.  Also during law school, he held the position of law clerk to the North Carolina OSHA Review Board.

Civic Activities

Philip works closely with the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation (JDRF) and has spoken frequently at events and fundraisers throughout Eastern North Carolina, successfully raising significant money to find the cure for Type 1 diabetes.  His two sons both have juvenile onset diabetes (Type 1 diabetes).

About Thomas, Ferguson & Mullins, L.L.P.:

Mullins’ Law Firm, Thomas, Ferguson & Mullins, L.L.P., have been named a “Best Law Firm” by U.S. News Best Lawyers for 2011-2012.  A comprehensive choice of practice areas, coupled with research of firms nationally and within local legal markets makes the “Best Law Firm” ranking a valuable tool for law firm clients.

William J. Thomas II, Jay H. Ferguson, and Mullins are among a select group of 3,000 trial lawyers across the United States, Canada and England who are members of the Million Dollar Advocates Forum.  The Forum is one of the most prestigious group of trial lawyers in the country with membership limited to attorneys who have won million and multi-million dollar verdicts and settlements.  Less than one percent of U.S. lawyers are members.  Each member has demonstrated in an objective and tangible way their ability to accomplish superior results in complex cases. Certification by the Million Dollar Advocates Forum provides recognition of such accomplishment and a national network of experienced colleagues for information exchange, assistance and professional referral.

Thomas, Ferguson & Mullins, L.L.P. has been certified by the Bar Register of Preeminent Lawyers  for high professional legal standards and ethics.  For over 90 years the Bar Register has been a unique guide to the legal community’s most eminent professionals.  It includes only those select law practices that have earned the highest rating in the Martindale-Hubbell Law Directory and have been designated by their colleagues as preeminent in their field.

William Thomas II

has been honored in the 2011-12 U.S. News Media Group Best Lawyers® list of “Best Law Firms” for 2011-12. Complete details of the honor will be released with the U.S. News and World Report’s Money Issue, on newsstands November 15th.

“This is a significant recognition for my colleagues and our firm,” said William J. Thomas II. “It honors not only our attorneys, but everyone at the firm who has a hand in delivering important legal services to our clients in their time of need.”
From Best Lawyers®:

“Best Lawyers was very pleased with the reaction from the legal profession and from legal clients to the first edition of the “Best Law Firms” rankings,” says Steven Naifeh, President of Best Lawyers. “By combining hard data with peer reviews, and client assessments, we continue to believe that we are providing clients with the most thorough, accurate, and helpful rankings of law firms ever developed.”

About Thomas, Ferguson & Mullins, L.L.P.
With more than seventy years of combined legal experience, the Durham, North Carolina attorneys at Thomas, Ferguson & Mullins LLP have spent their entire careers fighting for their clients’ rights in state and federal courts of law. Each lawyer brings to the client a commitment to ensure the best possible outcome. The attorneys are experienced and results-oriented, prepared to fight for clients in every case through litigation or settlement.

Jay H. Ferguson

Put a gun to a man’s head, and he’ll do or say pretty much anything he thinks will save his life. It’s common sense.

Yet we allow our justice system to do this anytime it pleases. Can’t get your suspect to confess to murder? Threaten him with lethal injection.

This is what happened to two innocent Asheville men, Kenneth Kagonyera and Robert Wilcoxson. They confessed to a murder they had no part in because they were told that a trial might end with the death penalty.

Jay H. Ferguson

“I am humbled to be professionally recognized by other attorneys for my work in land condemnation cases and look forward to representing landowners for many years.” said Jay Ferguson. “Advocating for landowners in their rightful quest for full and fair compensation when their land is taken is demanding but satisfying,”

Since its inception in 1983, Best Lawyers has become universally regarded as the definitive guide to legal excellence. Because Best Lawyers is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey in which more than 41,000 leading attorneys cast almost 3.9 million votes on the legal abilities of other lawyers in their practice areas, and because lawyers are not required or allowed to pay a fee to be listed, inclusion in Best Lawyers is considered a singular honor. Corporate Counsel magazine has called Best Lawyers “the most respected referral list of attorneys in practice.”

Jay H. Ferguson – Durham, NC
Criminal Defense, Eminent Domain, and Serious Personal Injury Attorney
Named to “The Best Lawyers in America”
Named a “Best Lawyer in North Carolina”
Among North Carolina’s “Legal Elite”
Honored by North Carolina “Super Lawyer” Magazine
Member, Million Dollar Advocates Forum
Named, “Top 100 Lawyer”

Areas of Practice
Eminent Domain, Serious Personal Injury, Criminal Defense
Jay Ferguson has practiced law in North Carolina since 1990, navigating clients through all aspects of litigation in both state and federal court. Throughout his career Jay has been a staunch advocate for people in need of help, whether they are victims of catastrophic injury or wrongful death, landowners whose property is in jeopardy of condemnation, or people accused of crimes.

Honors and Awards
Jay has been voted by his peers as one of “The Best Lawyers in America” (eminent domain/land condemnation) which is considered to be a singular honor conferred on a lawyer by his peers. He also was selected as a “Best Lawyer in North Carolina” (eminent domain/land condemnation) by NC Magazine, is considered one of North Carolina’s “Legal Elite” by Business North Carolina magazine (criminal defense) and was named a “Top 100 Lawyer in North Carolina” by the American Trial Lawyers Association. Jay is a member of the Million Dollar Advocates Forum (personal injury), one of the most prestigious groups of trial lawyers in the country. He was honored by North Carolina’s “Super Lawyers” Magazine. He also has the highest peer rating available for legal skills and ethics (AV®) from Martindale-Hubbell, and was named the ACLU-NC Paul Green Award winner for his work on death penalty defense.

Professional Activities
He is a member of the National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers and the North Carolina Advocates for Justice (formerly the North Carolina Academy of Trial Lawyers). He is admitted to practice before the courts of the State of North Carolina, the United States District Court for the Middle and Eastern Districts of North Carolina, the Fourth Circuit United States Court of Appeals, and the United States Supreme Court.

Jay is a frequent speaker and writer for continuing legal education seminars throughout North Carolina, training other attorneys in many areas of litigation, including eminent domain, criminal defense, personal injury and legal ethics.

Education
B.S., 1986, Appalachian State University; J.D., 1989, North Carolina Central University School of Law, where he was a member of the Moot Court team and Law Review; LL.M. (Master of Laws in Litigation), 1990, Emory University.