Apex, NC

Devlin Horton

Devlin Horton is a highly accomplished trial lawyer and the lead litigator at Horton & Mendez Injury Lawyers, where he focuses on representing individuals who have suffered catastrophic injuries or wrongful death. Known for his relentless drive, exceptional legal acumen, and aggressive courtroom strategies, Devlin has built a reputation as one of North Carolina’s most accomplished trial lawyers-and one of the nation’s rising stars in personal injury law. At just 35 years old, Devlin achieved a remarkable milestone when his client was awarded a $38.2 million verdict, the second-largest personal injury verdict in North Carolina history at the time. This was also the largest verdict in Pitt County history. This extraordinary win is a testament to his skill and commitment to securing life-changing outcomes for his clients. Devlin’s passion for justice and his tenacity in the courtroom have earned him a coveted place among the nation’s top trial lawyers. Before founding Horton & Mendez, Devlin spent six years representing major insurance companies and defending corporations against personal injury claims. This unique background gives him unparalleled insight into how insurers think, negotiate, and prepare for trial. This knowledge has proven invaluable when advocating for clients against well-funded corporate defendants. Devlin’s experience on the defense side gives him a significant edge in understanding the tactics employed by insurance companies and their attorneys, which he uses to counter their strategies with precision and effectiveness. Devlin’s success is not only reflected in his verdicts but also in the recognition he has received from his peers. He was inducted as the youngest North Carolinian to both the National Trial Lawyers Million Dollar Advocates Forum and the Multi-Million Dollar Advocates Forum-exclusive organizations that recognize trial lawyers who have secured million- and multi-million-dollar verdicts and settlements. Devlin was also named to The National Trial Lawyers: 40 Under 40, which highlights the country’s top personal injury attorneys under the age of 40. Devlin’s commitment to excellence in trial law has earned him numerous accolades, including being named a Super Lawyer for five consecutive years-a distinction awarded to just 2.5% of attorneys in North Carolina. He is also a regular speaker and instructor for the North Carolina Advocates for Justice (NCAJ), where he shares his expertise on trial tactics and strategies with fellow attorneys. Clients who work with Devlin benefit from his unwavering dedication and relentless pursuit of justice. Whether in the courtroom or negotiating a settlement, Devlin’s approach is always client-focused, ensuring that his clients receive the full value of their claims. He leaves no stone unturned and puts everything he has into each case, knowing the life-changing impact a successful outcome can have for his clients and their families. When he’s not in the courtroom, Devlin enjoys spending time with his wife, Liz, and their red golden retriever, Sam. He’s an avid outdoorsman who loves duck hunting, fishing, and surfing and is an enthusiastic supporter of the University of North Carolina Tar Heels. With a track record of securing landmark verdicts and settlements, Devlin Horton is a sought-after trial lawyer who has earned the respect of both his clients and his peers. If you’ve suffered a catastrophic injury, Devlin will fight tirelessly to ensure your case is handled with the urgency, skill, and attention it deserves.

John M. McCabe

John McCabe is an award-winning litigator and widely regarded as one of North Carolina’s top attorneys. John’s passion for law started early, shaping his commitment to making a real difference. This passion carried through to his career, where he has spent over three decades helping those injured by the unsafe and dangerous conduct of others. John’s success and dedication to his clients have earned him widespread recognitions. He has been named to the Best Lawyers in America and recognized as a North Carolina Super Lawyer every year since 2010. His accolades include being named “Lawyer of the Year” for personal injury in 2022, and consistently ranking among the Top 10 Personal Injury Attorneys and the Top 100 Trial Lawyers in North Carolina. He has also been named to North Carolina’s Legal Elite and North Carolina Lawyer’s Weekly’s Power List for Personal Injury Lawyers. For the last 20 years, John has been rated AV Preeminent by Martindale-Hubbell, which signifies exceptional legal ability and the highest ethical standards. Since 2016, John’s firm has been recognized as one of the Best Law Firms in the country by U.S. News & World Report. Throughout his career, John has been a leader in the legal community. He served as President of the North Carolina Advocates for Justice (NCAJ), one of the nation’s largest trial lawyer organizations, in 2021-2022. In addition, John currently serves as a North Carolina state delegate for the American Association for Justice (AAJ) and he chairs the Board of Visitors at Campbell University School of Law. John is not just an advocate for his clients - he also fights to change unfair laws that hurt everyone. Recently, John spearheaded groundbreaking changes to automobile insurance laws, improving the opportunity for accident victims to be fairly compensated for their damages. These changes increased mandatory automobile liability insurance limits for the first time in decades and abolished an unfair credit that allowed insurance companies to avoid providing the level of coverage that people had purchased. In recognition of John’s extraordinary service, NCAJ recently renamed its special award the Henson McCabe Miller Leadership Award to honor him and two esteemed colleagues. This wasn’t the first time John worked to change the law. One of John’s most prolific cases came just a few years after law school, when he took the case of a young mother named Kellie and her daughter, who were catastrophically injured when a Department of Transportation dump truck hit their vehicle head-on. At that time, the law capped damages in cases against the state to $150,000, less than half of what Kellie needed to pay her medical bills. Recognizing how unfair this was, John worked tirelessly to get the law changed to raise the limit to $500,000, and the resulting settlement for Kellie’s family was 10 times more than what the state initially offered. NCAJ created an award to recognize John’s work on that case - the Kellie Crabtree Award - which honors clients and their attorneys whose efforts make a profound difference in protecting people’s rights. John’s commitment to service extends far beyond the courtroom. As a lifelong resident of Cary, he has dedicated himself to improving his community in many ways - from coaching youth basketball to supporting organizations like Catholic Charities and the YMCA. An avid tennis player, John serves on the Board of Directors of the North Carolina Tennis Foundation, which offers educational opportunities for under-resourced children across North Carolina. John also created a scholarship at Campbell Law School to recognize students who volunteer and give back to their communities.

Nicholas Mendez

Nick is a personal injury lawyer in Wilmington, NC. Nick believes in always keeping his clients one step ahead of the insurance company. Nick is passionate about representing the injured, and he prides himself on being a compassionate, responsive, and zealous advocate. In every personal injury case, Nick’s goal is maximizing his client’s recovery. Nick used to work for a large multi-state law firm defending major insurance companies and large corporations in personal injury lawsuits. He knows how the system works. This insider knowledge helps him anticipate how the other side will approach a case, and effectively counsel his clients through complex and difficult situations. During law school, Nick spent part of a summer working for the current Chief Justice of the North Carolina Supreme Court. He’s seen the inner workings of the highest level of the NC courts. This perspective helps him see the big picture.

Paul W. D. Robinson

Paul grew up in small town West Virginia, where he developed a strong sense of community and justice. He attended the WVU College of Law, laying the foundation for a distinguished legal career. Paul began his journey as a trial attorney initially defending clients in criminal cases and later serving as a prosecutor. He later served as assistant city attorney for Charleston, WV. However, he discovered his true passion in representing injured victims against deep-pocketed insurance companies that often resist fair compensation. With his comprehensive experience in both defense and prosecution, as well as representing a large, self-insured metropolis, Paul possesses a unique perspective and a distinct advantage in personal injury cases. In 2017, Paul moved to Raleigh, North Carolina, and opened his law firm, which now proudly serves clients from two locations in Raleigh and Clayton, NC. His firm is committed to providing personalized and aggressive representation for those who have suffered due to accidents, negligence, and insurance bad faith. Paul's deep understanding of insurance company tactics enables him to fight relentlessly for his clients' rights. His commitment to achieving justice and fair settlements has earned him a reputation as a tenacious and compassionate attorney. Paul is a proud member of the Johnston County Bar Association, the North Carolina Bar Association, and the North Carolina Advocates for Justice, and is licensed in North Carolina and West Virginia. His dedication to continuous learning and community involvement ensures he stays current with legal advancements and maintains strong ties to his roots. When he's not in the courtroom, Paul enjoys giving back to his community and spending time with his family, friends, and two dogs (Boone and Cassidy). His passion for helping others and his unwavering pursuit of justice make him a trusted ally for those in need.

Telana Poe

Telana Poe grew up in Ashe County, North Carolina, where she was inspired by her parents’ careers in emergency services. She earned her B.S. in Political Science - Public Administration from Appalachian State University before going on to receive her J.D. from Campbell University’s Norman Adrian Wiggins School of Law. She is licensed to practice law in North Carolina and in the United States Federal Court for the Eastern District of North Carolina. Telana is a litigation attorney at Horton & Mendez, where she focuses her practice on personal injury, wrongful death, and medical malpractice. Telana formerly worked on Camp Lejeune toxic water litigation as well as catastrophic personal injury litigation. Telana is a member of the American Association for Justice, North Carolina Advocates for Justice, Wake County Bar Association, and North Carolina Bar Association. In 2024, she was selected for the North Carolina Advocates for Justice NEXT Leadership Program. She was also featured in Attorney at Law Magazine in the Young Attorney Spotlight (Vol. 12 No. 3).

Alan Castro

Alan Castro is a highly skilled personal injury lawyer. With a background as a workers’ compensation defense attorney, Alan brings his in-depth knowledge of insurance practices to effectively represent injured individuals and employees. Drawing off the knowledge obtained on the “dark side”, he understands the tactics employed by insurance companies to minimize payouts and protect their interests. By leveraging this invaluable insight, Alan is able to develop comprehensive legal strategies that maximize compensation and protect the rights of his clients. In addition to his legal expertise, Alan’s background as a former college football quarterback brings a competitive edge to his practice. Known for his unwavering determination and gritty work ethic, Alan approaches every case with the same level of tenacity and focus throughout all four quarters of your claim. His ability to think quickly, adapt to changing circumstances, and make strategic decisions under pressure allows him to secure the best possible results for his clients. Alan’s professional journey also includes playing professional football overseas, an experience that further honed his skills in a highly competitive environment. This background instilled in him a deep understanding of teamwork, discipline, and the importance of relentless pursuit of success-qualities that are evident in his approach to representing his injured clients. As a personal injury and workers’ compensation lawyer, Alan is dedicated to providing compassionate and personalized representation to individuals who have suffered injuries due to the negligence of others or as a result of their employment. He recognizes the physical, emotional, and financial toll that injuries can have on his clients and their families. With a deep sense of empathy, Alan goes above and beyond to ensure that his clients receive the support, guidance, and aggressive advocacy they deserve.

Angie joined The Law Offices of John McCabe in 2024, bringing with her 20 years of experience as a litigation paralegal, the majority of that time spent assisting plaintiffs with their personal injury claims. She has always been drawn to working with people who have been injured due to the negligence of another, and strives to get her team’s clients the best recoveries possible for the suffering they endure. A native of Ohio, she graduated from Ohio University in 1998, received her paralegal certificate from Duke University in 2004, and becoming a North Carolina State Bar Certified Paralegal in 2006. Angie is known for her work ethic and attention to detail, and for her compassion and empathy for her clients. Her personal interests include reading, listening to an eclectic range of music, playing in the kitchen, spending time with friends and family, and riding the best roller coasters she can find whenever time allows.