WINSTON-SALEM (January 2) – Kilpatrick announced today that the firm’s attorneys were selected for recognition on the annual Business North Carolina’s 2025 “Legal Elite” list.

Winners were selected through an online, peer-to-peer voting process conducted by a third-party research company. Ballots were sent to lawyers from the North Carolina State Bar to nominate the best lawyers across multiple practice areas. Attorneys who received the highest number of votes were given special distinction as Hall of Fame members.

The following Kilpatrick attorneys were recognized on the Business North Carolina’s 2025 “Legal Elite” list:

Construction
Dudley Humphrey* spent his entire legal career with the firm—over 60 years of service—joining the firm after graduating from the University of North Carolina Law School in 1961. He passed away in 2023; read his ‘In Memoriam’ here.

Corporate Law
Will Joyner focuses his practice on business and corporate law, mergers and acquisitions, and private equity. In his M&A practice, he regularly represents public companies, private equity funds, major nonprofit organizations and private middle market businesses across a wide range of industries.

Environmental
Steve Levitas is one of the leading renewable energy lawyers in the Southeast, representing solar and biomass developers as well as commercial and industrial energy users.

Steve Berlin* has significant experience in several areas of environmental law, including environmental litigation, business transactions involving environmental issues and environmental compliance matters.

Intellectual Property
Alton Absher focuses his practice on patent litigation, licensing, and proceedings before the Patent Trial and Appeal Board and International Trade Commission. He has significant experience in all phases of litigation, including trials and appeals.

Steve Gardner is a nationally recognized attorney focusing on counseling and representing clients seeking to strategically meet objectives, solve problems, and grow in the intellectual-property field.

Litigation
James Kelly* practices law in the areas of business/commercial litigation, insurance litigation, products liability and personal injury. 

* Represents a Hall of Fame distinction

About Kilpatrick
Kilpatrick is trusted counsel to the world’s most innovative companies. To serve our ground-breaking clients, we strive to be at the forefront of client service, a leader in DE&I, and on the cutting edge of law and technology. With recognized strength in the technology sector and a full range of service offerings, we deliver practical, business-centric solutions built upon strong and enduring connections.

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Media Contact:
John Page, Director of Communications
jpage@ktslaw.com

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