LAW.

The 29,000 licensed lawyers in North Carolina exert massive influence from Manteo to Murphy. This is a sampling of some of the more powerful attorneys, many of whom work for larger firms in the major metros. Most were chosen because of their leadership positions at their organizations.

STACY ACKERMANN

partner | K&L Cates

Charlotte

Ackermann leads the national firm's global finance practice. She came to K&L in 2012 after working as a partner at Alston & Bird. She is a graduate of Furman University and University of South Carolina School of Law.

SHERROD BANKS

founder | Banks Law Firm

Durham

Banks, a national expert in affordable housing and community development, leads the firm that he founded 28 years ago. It has offices in Durham, Charlotte,

Atlanta and Houston. He received his undergraduate and law degrees from UNC Chapel Hill.

CATHERINE BARNES

managing partner | James, McElroy & Diehl

Charlotte

Barnes, 59. represents closely-held businesses and real estate developers in a wide variety of matters, including negotiations with lenders, commercial leases and development agreements, title and zoning issues. She is a Salem State College and UNC School of Law graduate.

STEVE BERLIN

partner, office managing partner | Kilpatrick, Townsend & Stockton

Winston-Salem

Berlin, 62, has been at the firm for more than 35 years. His personal practice focuses on environmental law. He graduated from Wake Forest University, where he earned undergraduate and law degrees.

Key to industry success: Two things--trust and integrity.

Three people to share a meal: Abraham Lincoln. Frederick Douglass and Ulysses S. Grant.

Proud family accomplishment: We love being with each other.

Where to entertain a visitor: Old Salem and Reynolda.

LOIS COLBERT

partner | Kilpatrick Townsend & Stockton

Charlotte

Colbert leads the firm's employee benefits practice group. She's been recognized by America's Best Lawyers and in North Carolina's Super Lawyers. She graduated from the University of Illinois and earned her law degree from the University of Michigan.

DAN CAHILL

managing partner | Poyner Spruill

Raleigh

Cahill, 54, leads the firm's management committee and is a commercial litigator with years of experience in finance and banking. He has an undergraduate degree from UNC Chapel Hill and a law degree from Wake Forest University.

Pre-workday motivation: Working with an energetic, collaborative organization in an economically thriving region.

Key to industry success: Client service --expertise, excellence in practice, responsiveness and understanding clients' goals.

Best advice: If you really want to leave a legacy, be a mentor.

Three people to share a meal: Dean Smith, Anthony Bourdain and Michael Connelly.

Proud family accomplishment: We are five unique individuals with different passions and drivers. However, we make decisions together with understanding and flexibility.

Favorite hobby: Hiking in the mountains, golf, gardening and yard work.

Where to entertain a visitor: I have lived in Raleigh for 50 years, so I like to highlight old-school places, historic sites and little-known treasures in the city.

NATHAN DUGGINS

managing partner | Tuggle Duggins

Greensboro

A graduate of UNC Chapel Hill and Wake Forest University School of Law. Duggins, 52, specializes in litigation related to construction, complex business disputes and real estate. He serves on the board of directors for Greensboro's chamber, merchants and education alliance groups and is on the board of visitors for the Wake Forest law school.

Pre-workday motivation: Family and new opportunities with clients.

Key to industry success: A good bedside manner and excellent listening skills.

Best advice: Be intrepid in all things.

Three people to share a meal: Thomas Jefferson, Teddy Roosevelt and Elon Musk.

Proud family accomplishment: Loyalty to each other.

Favorite hobby: Wood splitting and gardening.

Where to entertain a visitor: Saturday hot dog sale at Cone American Legion Post 386.

DAVID DUKE

managing partner | Young Moore and Henderson

Raleigh

Duke, 63, has been with the firm since he graduated from Wake Forest University School of Law. He leads its trucking and transportation practice group. He earned his undergraduate degree at the College of William and Mary.

TODD EVESON

managing partner | Wyrick Robbins Yates & Ponton

Raleigh

Eveson specializes in banking law and has significant experience in securities law, mergers and acquisitions, and corporate law. He co-founded Caeta and Eveson in 2000 and joined Wyrick Robbins when they acquired it in 2013. He is a graduate of Duke University and UNC School of Law.

Key to industry success: Be lucky enough to have a great mentor and be a very good listener.

Best advice: Once you make a commitment, you have to follow through. My parents taught me that.

Three people to share a meal: Hugh McColl, John Belk and James B. Duke.

Proud family accomplishment: My wife and I are both lawyers. Somehow we juggle our careers, kids and everything else that comes with being working parents. I am very proud of that.

Favorite hobby: Anything related to music.

JAMES FARRIN

founder, president, CEO | Law Offices of James Scott Farrin

Durham

Farrin's well-known "call the hurtline" broadcast advertising campaign has helped him build one of the state's biggest personal injury and product liability practices since its formation in 1997. He is a Trinity College and Duke University School of Law graduate.

CHARLES FRANCIS

founder, managing partner | The Francis Law Firm

Raleigh

The Raleigh native was a federal prosecutor before opening his firm, which has handled a series of high-profile cases. He has been active in Democratic Party politics in Raleigh, serving briefly on the Raleigh City Council.

He is a director at UNC Rex Hospital. He has an undergraduate degree from Princeton and a Duke University law degree.

BRADLEY EVANS

co-managing director | Ward and Smith

Greenville

The Ahoskie native, 46, has a significant case history in civil litigation, trade-secret misappropriation, intellectual property infringement, corporate dissolution and antitrust disputes. He has undergraduate and law degrees from Wake Forest University.

Pre-workday motivation: My...