Edwards Kirby Attorneys Named to The Best Lawyers in America 2021

RALEIGH, N.C., Aug. 20, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- A total of seven North Carolina Trial Attorneys from the law firm of Edwards Kirby were selected for inclusion in the 2021 edition of The Best Lawyers in America. 

Four of the firm's attorneys – John Edwards, David Kirby, Bill Bystrynski, and Kristen Beightol – were named to this year's list after having been selected in previous editions. Attorneys Cate Edwards, Mary Kathryn Kurth, and Andrew Avram – who were named to Best Lawyers' "Ones to Watch" list – earned their first selection to The Best Lawyers in America.

Each year, Best Lawyers sifts through thousands of the most accomplished practitioners to compile lists recognizing the top attorneys in each state, and relies on the nominations and feedback of other Best Lawyers honorees and members of the judiciary to make the final cut.

The result: a rating system hailed for its substantive and meaningful evaluations, and for being a reliable resource to those in need of proven representation.

For the attorneys at Edwards Kirby, inclusion in The Best Lawyers in America speaks volumes about the respect and esteem they've earned from their peers, as well as the record results they've secured on behalf of Plaintiffs in complex claims involving serious personal injury, medical malpractice, insurance litigation, civil rights, employment law, and other high-stakes torts and civil claims.

Edwards Kirby attorneys named to this year's Best Lawyers list include:

• John R. Edwards: Former U.S. Senator and Vice-Presidential nominee John Edwards is a Founding Partner at Edwards Kirby. Recognized among the nation's most accomplished litigators, Edwards was named to Best Lawyers in Medical Malpractice Law, Personal Injury Litigation, Product Liability Litigation, and Professional Malpractice Law – all for Plaintiffs. He is a member of the Inner Circle of Advocates, an invite-only group of the top 100 plaintiffs' trial lawyers in the U.S.
• David F. Kirby: Founding Partner David Kirby, also a member of the Inner Circle of Advocates, David Kirby has been named to Best Lawyers every year since 2001, and has twice received its highest "Lawyer of the Year" recognition in previous years in Medical Malpractice Law – Plaintiffs (2012), and Personal Injury Litigation – Plaintiffs (2014). Kirby was named to The Best Lawyers in America 2021 in the areas of Medical Malpractice Law, Personal Injury Litigation, and Product Liability Litigation. Kirby, together with Partner John Edwards, helped secure the largest personal injury jury verdict awarded in North Carolina history in 1997.
• William B. Bystrynski: Recognized among The Best Lawyers in America since 2013, Edwards Kirby partner Bill Bystrynski was named to the 2021 list in Personal Injury Litigation and Product Liability Litigation – Plaintiffs. Over the course of a career dedicated to fighting for victims of negligence, Bystrynski has handled complex and high-profile claims involving wrongful death, serious injuries, nursing homes, and medical malpractice. He has also litigated before the Supreme Court in two cases, one of which resulted in an $8.2M verdict for his client and the other of which helped reform North Carolina's Medicaid Law to allow more aid for injured people.
• Kristen L. Beightol: Named to Best Lawyers for the second consecutive year, Kristen Beightol earns her 2021 selection in Litigation – Insurance, Medical Malpractice Law – Plaintiffs, and Personal Injury Litigation – Plaintiffs. Backed by insight into both sides of civil practice, having represented insurance carriers, businesses, and governments in major litigation, Beightol has put her experience to work for victims in cases involving medical malpractice, premises liability, wrongful death, insurance coverage, and other matters of serious personal injury.
• Cate E. Edwards: Cate Edwards earns her first selection to The Best Lawyers in America this year, and was also named to Best Lawyers' "Ones to Watch" list, which recognizes highly accomplished attorneys in private practice for less than 10 years. A partner at Edwards Kirby, Cate Edwards represents victims of civil rights violations and corporate negligence in claims involving wrongful death, serious injury, police and government misconduct, sexual harassment, and whistleblower retaliation. She has been named to The National Trial Lawyers' Top 40 Under 40, the 2019 and 2020 Lawyers of Distinction Lists, and the NC Super Lawyers Rising Stars.
• Mary Kathryn Kurth: Also selected to Best Lawyers' "Ones to Watch," attorney Mary Kathryn Kurth was selected to The Best Lawyers in America 2021 in the areas of Appellate Practice and Medical Malpractice Law – Plaintiffs. Concentrating her practice on matters of medical negligence, health lien resolution, and serious personal injury, Kurth has recovered millions in compensation for her clients. She has also been named to The National Trial Lawyers' Top 40 Under 40, and the North Carolina Super Lawyers Rising Stars.
• Andrew C. Avram: A Raleigh native and former insurance defense attorney, Andrew Avram has become an invaluable asset to victims and families seeking justice and compensation in cases of serious injury, workplace accidents, and medical malpractice. Known for his talent as a strong legal writer, Avram has also excelled in protecting the rights of clients with complex employment law cases, including discrimination, retaliation, wrongful discharge, and other business-related claims.

Edwards Kirby is one of North Carolina's most trusted civil trial practices. Led by former U.S. Senator John Edwards and David Kirby – two of the nation's most acclaimed plaintiffs' trial lawyers, the firm has secured millions for clients and record results in a range of complex and high-profile cases. That includes NC state records for the largest personal injury verdict, the largest personal injury settlement, and the largest medical malpractice verdict, as well as the national record for the largest workplace violence verdict. Learn more about the firm's areas of practice by visiting www.edwardskirby.com.

SOURCE Edwards Kirby, LLP

Related Links

http://www.edwardskirby.com