Adam Whitten is the managing partner of Goodman McGuffey's Charlotte office. He began representing large corporations and insurance carriers immediately upon graduation from law school in 2003. He has represented nursing homes, banks, security companies, construction companies, airlines, telecommunication companies, hotels, employment staffing companies and large manufacturers in workers compensation matters across the state of North Carolina. He has also represented clients in civil matters involving negligence, premises liability and third-party liens.

Adam is a member of the North Carolina and Mecklenburg County Bar Associations. He has spoken to various groups including adjusters, human resource managers, risk managers and attorneys on a variety of legal topics including workers' compensation, occupational disease, disability, return to work standards, communication with treating doctors, and the nuances of working with the North Carolina Industrial Commission and within the North Carolina Workers' Compensation system. Adam has worked with the Children's Law Center and Council for Children's Rights in Charlotte advocating for children involved in difficult custody disputes.

Adam received his undergraduate degree in journalism from Brigham Young University in 1999. He was a member of the Golden Key National Honor Society. He was awarded the University Scholarship for his academic achievements. He also was awarded the Communications Department Talent Award scholarship for his performance with writing. He received multiple awards from the Society of Professional Journalists while working as a reporter and sports editor.

Adam earned his law degree from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill in 2003. While in Chapel Hill, Adam was on the Dean's List and worked in the school's pro bono program including some time assisting a local district attorney with domestic violence cases. In 2003, Adam was a national finalist in Chicago-Kent's Louis Jackson National Student Writing Competition in Employment and Labor Law.

Adam is actively involved in the local community and has worked as a volunteer coach with the local YMCA and community sports organizations. He has also worked with the Boy Scouts of America as a merit badge counselor and assistant scout master. Adam is also fluent in Portuguese thanks to a two-year stint in southern Brazil as a missionary for his church.

Jessica C. Smythe is a Medicare Secondary Payer compliance consultant with ISO Claims Partners. Prior to joining ISO Claims Partners, Jessica was a workers’ compensation defense attorney.

Jessica is a nationally recognized speaker and trainer on the subject of Medicare compliance, including the impact of Medicare compliance on claim handling and litigation management. She also writes a bimonthly column, “Medicare Matters,” for Claims Management Magazine and was awarded the designation of CLMP (Certified Litigation Management Professional) in October 2012. Jessica also holds the designation of CMSP (Certified Medicare Secondary Payer Act Professional). 

Jessica is a graduate of Meredith College and the Norman Adrian Wiggins School of Law, Campbell University. She is an inductee to the Order of the Barristers and is a member of the North Carolina Bar Association, the Wake County Bar Association, the North Carolina Association of Defense Attorneys, the Claims & Litigation Management Alliance (CLM) and the National Association of Medicare Set Aside Professionals (NAMSAP).

Nicholas empson is an attorney and insurance professional based in Charlotte.
 

Ms. Connor’s practice focuses on civil litigation, insurance coverage disputes, insurance defense, UM/UIM issues, commercial litigation, construction, and condemnation.

She received a Bachelor of Arts degree from Louisiana State University. Ms. Connor graduated cum laude from Tulane Law School where she received a Juris Doctor. She is a member of the Mecklenburg County Bar Association, North Carolina Bar Association, North Carolina Association of Defense Attorneys, Defense Research Institute and the Claims and Litigation Management Alliance.

PRACTICE AREAS Civil Litigation Insurance Coverage Disputes Insurance Defense UM/UIM Claims Commercial Litigation Construction Condemnation

Mr. Henthorn earned his Bachelor of Science degree in Industrial Hygiene from Ohio University. He is responsible for providing industrial hygiene sampling and forensic analysis involving workplace air quality, workplace safety, mold and mildew contamination, and sick building syndrome. His expertise includes investigation of indoor air quality (IAQ) with regard to chemical and biological stressors, such as mold and mildew, asbestos, organic vapors, and other environmental contaminants. Prior to joining SEA, he was employed by the Sara Lee Corporation, as the Safety and Environmental Manager, where he was responsible for the implementation and maintenance of all facets of industrial hygiene, safety, ergonomics, workers’ compensation, and the environmental policies and programs that ensured compliance with local, state, and federal regulations.

He is a Certified Safety Manager (CSM), Certified Indoor Air Quality Professional (CIAQP), and a Certified Mold Remediator (CMR). Mr. Henthorn has provided deposition and expert trial testimony within the state of Florida regarding mold and mildew and industrial hygiene evaluations. He is a member of the American Industrial Hygiene Association (AIHA), the American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning Engineers, Inc. (ASHRAE), the American Conference of Governmental Industrial Hygienists (ACGIH), the American Society of Safety Engineers (ASSE), the Indoor Air Quality Association, Inc. (IAQA), and the American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM International).

Michael Cannon joined Goodman, McGuffey, Lindsey & Johnson, LLP in April of 2011. Michael represents clients throughout North Carolina on matters related to insurance defense, premises liability, personal injury, products liability and subrogation. He graduated from the University of North Carolina at Charlotte in 2003 with a degree in Management, and completed his Juris Doctor at the Roger Williams University School of Law in 2007, where he was a Papitto Scholar and member of the Honors Program.

Prior to entering law school, Michael was an intern with the Federal Bureau of Investigation in the Charlotte Field Office. He is admitted to practice in North Carolina state courts and the federal courts in the Western and Eastern Districts of North Carolina. Michael is a member of the Mecklenburg County Bar and North Carolina Association of Defense Attorneys. Michael was born and raised in York, Maine.