Waynesville, NC

Joseph A. Ferikes

Joseph A. Ferikes is a trial and real estate litigator who began his practice in 1974. He is a founding partner of Ferikes Bleynat & Cannon, PLLC, and represents municipal entities. He is recognized by Best Lawyers in America, including being named Lawyer of the Year in 2024 for Litigation - Real Estate in the Asheville Metro Area, and holds a BV® Distinguished™ Peer Review Rating by Martindale-Hubbell®.

Henry E. Teich

Henry "Hank" Teich has been in practice in Asheville and Western North Carolina for more than 40 years. He is the senior partner at Grimes Teich Anderson LLP, where he practices Personal Injury and Workers· Compensation Law. Hank has been a North Carolina Board Certified Specialist in Workers' Compensation Law since 2000. Hank's interest is making sure that his clients get the best medical treatment available under the circumstances and pro­tecting them from oppressive insurance company tactics. He frequently represents workers whose injuries prevent them from returning to their previous jobs and who are in danger of not being able to work at all in the future.

Scott M. Anderson

Scott Anderson has been an attorney since 1989 and is licensed to practice in North Carolina and South Carolina. Early in his career, Scott focused on insurance defense and criminal defense, representing several auto insurance companies and workers compensation insurance companies as well as the S.C Uninsured Employers Fund. In 1994, Scott's practice transitioned to the representation of injured people in civil trials and workers compensation hearings. His fortunate combination of substantial trial experience and familiarity with oppressive insurance company practices makes him a strong advocate for injured people who need help to get the money and care they deserve. Scott has a particular interest in representing children and their families.

Mark Melrose

Attorney Mark Melrose has more than 35 years of experience practicing law in western North Carolina. He brings to the firm a wealth of expertise in many areas of litigation. He has spent his professional career representing clients in state and federal courts with a primary focus on personal injury, medical malpractice and wrongful death cases. He also has a wealth of experience in general civil litigation, estate litigation, and appellate work. He has represented clients in every level of the North Carolina court system including arguments to the North Carolina Supreme Court. He has also tried cases in Federal Court, the 4th Circuit Court of Appeals and briefed cases to the United States Supreme Court. With a zealous commitment to his clients, he is well known in western North Carolina for his ethical and relentless pursuit of justice and fair compensation for his clients. From motor vehicle collisions to high-profile civil rights lawsuits, he will advocate tirelessly for fair settlements and favorable jury verdicts when necessary.

Brian A. Buchanan

Born in 1965 in Huntington, West Virginia, Brian grew up in Spruce Pine, North Carolina. Brian's mother was a nurse and his father was a doctor in Spruce Pine who ran a clinic, worked in the hospital emergency room, made house calls to people in need. Growing up in a home where taking care of others was so important continues to inspire Brian in his work representing injured and disabled people. In the mid-1990's, before he began representing injured people, Brian worked for an insurance defense firm in Greensboro where he amassed considerable experience in injury litigation and wrongful death. He has also presented cases before the North Carolina Supreme Court and the North Carolina Court of Appeals. Brian also devotes a considerable part of his practice to representing disabled people in hearings with the Social Security Administration.

Jeffrey M. Martin

Jeff is a Greenville, South Carolina native and practices in Grimes Teich Anderson LLP's South Carolina Offices. He received his B.A. from the University of South Carolina where he was also a member of the Sigma Nu Fraternity. He attended law school at Campbell University, Norman A. Wiggins School of Law School in Raleigh, North Carolina from which he received his J.D. Following law school, Jeff practiced law in Georgetown and Horry Counties before joining Grimes Teich Anderson LLP in January 2013. Jeff's practice is focused on Workers' Compensation, Personal Injury, and Automobile Accidents.

Edward L. Bleynat, Jr.

Edward L. Bleynat, Jr. is a founding member of Ferikes Bleynat & Cannon, PLLC, with over 30 years of experience. He is an AV Preeminent Peer Rated Lawyer by Martindale Hubbell, continuously selected to Best Lawyers in America and North Carolina Super Lawyers, and included in the Commercial and Consumer Litigation Power List by North Carolina Lawyers Weekly. He is a Master of the Bench in the Harry C. Martin Chapter of the American Inns of Court.