EXPERIENCE

Education
B.A,, 1983 ,North Carolina State University
J.D. , 1986,University of North Carolina School of Law

Admissions
North Carolina State Bar
United States District Court for the Eastern District of North Carolina

Recognition & Awards
North Carolina State Bar Certified Specialist in Workers Compensation
North Carolina Dispute Resolution Commission Certified Superior Court Mediator
Martindale-Hubbell rated AV Preeminent
North Carolina Super Lawyers 2009-2018
The Best Lawyers in America, Workers Compensation Law 2020-2022

Appellate Experience
• Bowen v. Weathington, No. 883SC324 (N.C. Ct. App. Feb 21, 1989). Issue: Enforceability of real estate brokerage contract and tortious interference with brokerage contract. • Tucker v. City of Clinton, 120 N.C. App. 776, 463 S.E.2d 806 (1994). Issue: Competent evidence standard and acknowledgement of illegitimate child. • Creel v. Town of Dover, 126 N.C. App. 547, 486 S.E.2d 478 (1997). Issue: Intoxication defense, NCGS 97-12; personal deviation. • Terry v. Home Lumber Co., 133 N.C. App. 349, 521 S.E.2d 150 (1999). Issue: Competency of the evidence. • Cuff v. Pelican Bldg., 133 N.C. App. 189, 520 S.E.2d 609 (1999). Issue: Competency of the evidence. • Saunders v. Edenton Ob/Gyn Center, 352 N.C. 136, 530 S.E.2d 62 (2000). Issue: Presumption of continuing disability not established by terms of Industrial Commission Form 21 agreement. • Lewis v. Sonoco Products Co., 137 N.C. App. 61, 526 S.E.2d 671 (2000). Issue: Form 28T termination and questionable return to work. • Dancy v. Abbott Laboratories, 139 N.C.A pp. 553, 534 S.E.2d 601 (2000). Issue: Presumption of continuing disability not established by terms of Industrial Commission Form 26 agreement. • Harris v. Town of Atlantic Beach, 136 N.C. App. 847, 531 S.E.2d 904 (2000). Issue: Competency of the evidence; appellate procedure. • Knight v. Abbott Laboratories, 144 N.C. App. 448, 548 S.E.2d 581 (2001) (Knight I). Issue: No injury by accident where workplace dispute was commonplace; Industrial Commission required to address all issues in controversy. • Landry v. U.S. Airways, Inc., 356 N.C. 419, 571 S.E.2d 586 (2002). Issue: No injury by accident where object heavier than anticipated. • Foster v. U.S. Airways, Inc., 149 N.C. App. 913, 563 S.E.2d 235 (2002). Issue: Presumption of disability; suitability of work. • Knight v. Abbott Laboratories, 160 N.C. App. 542, 586 S.E.2d 544 (2003) (Knight II). Issue: Occupational disease. • Smith v. First Choice Services, 158 N.C. App. 244, 580 S.E.2d 743 (2003). Issue: Jurisdiction where contractual exclusion of corporate officer from insurance coverage. • Adams v. M.A. Hanna Co., 166 N.C. App. 619, 603 S.E.2d 402 (2004). Issue: Industrial Commission’s violation of established rule and statute. • Knight v. Abbott Laboratories, 628 S.E.2d 258, 2006 WL 997740 (April 18, 2006)(No. COA05-1061)(Knight III). Issue: Employer’s right to attorney’s fees for frivolous appeal.
 
About Mike
Drawing on his experience and familiarity with the workers’ compensation system in North Carolina, Mike can be an asset to parties in dispute. Mike has more than 35 years of active trial experience before the Industrial Commission and North Carolina courts. He has investigated and defended hundreds of workplace injury and occupational disease claims, including complex multi-party mass occupational disease claims involving allegations of exposure to respiratory hazards as well as dermal exposure to industrial solvents. He has experience in risk control, litigation and claim management, market conduct examinations and commissioning and supervising claims audits for self-insured employers. Mike has appeared in numerous cases before the North Carolina appellate courts and has appeared in the civil defense of third-party lien claims. Mike has also represented Social Security Disability claimants and Plaintiffs in personal injury and workers’ compensation claims and has been a Veterans Administration accredited attorney.

Over the course of his career, Mike has been invited to appear before the North Carolina General Assembly Joint Legislative Committee on Small Business and Economic Development and the House Committee on Insurance to speak on issues affecting higher costs for employers and insurance carriers. He has also lectured for the North Carolina Occupational Safety and Health Education Resource Center, School of Public Health, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill; the National Asbestos and Environmental Training Institute; the North Carolina Association of Self-Insured Employers; the National Business Institute; and, the Institute of Business Law, California State University, Los Angeles.

Mike was born and raised in the City of the Oaks; however, the mountains around Asheville have become his second home. Mike enjoys the serenity of the mountains and outdoor activities such as cycling, golfing, hunting and fishing. He also appreciates a fully stocked kitchen and a laid-back summer music festival. Outside of North Carolina, Mike and his wife enjoy traveling with friends.