National insurance defense trial firm opens two new offices in North and South Carolina, led by incoming Branch Office Managing Partners Christopher Hinnant and Michael Barfield.

SAN DIEGO, Nov. 12, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — National insurance defense trial firm Tyson & Mendes, LLP announced today the January opening of its new North and South Carolina offices, marking yet another expansion for the firm known for defending against Nuclear Verdicts®, disproportionate and outsized jury awards.

The North Carolina office is led by incoming Branch Office Managing Partner Christopher Hinnant, a seasoned trial attorney with extensive experience in high-exposure litigation. Bringing nearly 30 years of experience, Hinnant lends extensive expertise and proven leadership capabilities to the firm’s new office. Prior to joining Tyson & Mendes, Hinnant managed a regional insurance defense firm primarily handling medical malpractice, construction defects, premises liability, dram shop claims, commercial disputes, and personal injury in both state and federal courts. Joining Hinnant from the same previous firm is Associate Chamberlain Collier Smith, an experienced litigator recognized as a “Rising Star” by North Carolina Super Lawyers and by Best Lawyers in America in the “Ones to Watch” category.

 “I am thrilled to join Tyson & Mendes to lead the new North Carolina office, and am dedicated to delivering exceptional service and winning trial results,” said Hinnant. “The Apex is a game-changing approach, and I look forward to leveraging it to serve our clients where they need us most.”

Joining Hinnant from the same firm, incoming Branch Office Managing Partner Michael Barfield will lead the firm’s South Carolina office. Barfield, who is also a South Carolina native, brings a wealth of expertise and has dedicated his practice to the areas of professional negligence, construction litigation, commercial litigation, property related litigation, personal injury, and real estate. He is also recognized by Best Lawyers in America and holds an AV preeminent Martindale-Hubble rating. “Joining Tyson & Mendes allows us to combine deep local knowledge with the firm’s innovative trial strategies and nationally recognized approach to defending against Nuclear Verdicts® – The Apex^SM,” said Barfield. “I look forward to joining an exceptional team of attorneys and continuing to deliver excellence for our clients, now in partnership with a nationally-recognized firm.”

The Apex^SM is the firm’s data-backed and trial-tested blueprint for the defense to avoid Nuclear Verdicts®, first revealed in the number one Amazon bestseller Nuclear Verdicts®: The Apex – Break the Pattern, published October 2025.

“Chris and Michael are both exceptional trial lawyers and leaders who embody our mission and approach,” commented Founding Partner Robert F. Tyson, Jr. National Managing Partner Cayce Lynch added, “Under their leadership, I have no doubt our presence in the market will continue to grow, and our clients will reap the benefits of their expertise and experience.”

Southeast Regional Managing Partner Holly E. Howanitz added, “Our Southeast region is full of talented litigators and proven trial lawyers, and I’m thrilled that will now include Chris and Michael. I look forward to serving our clients in the Carolinas – and beyond – with them.”

Now serving 24 states nationwide across 30 offices, Tyson & Mendes is one of the fastest growing civil defense firms in the U.S. The firm is proud to offer one of the clearest paths to partnership of any mid-sized law firm in the U.S., and it invests more in educating and training its attorneys than any other insurance defense firm.

For more information and to view career opportunities, visit www.tysonmendes.com.

About Tyson & Mendes LLP

Tyson & Mendes LLP is a nationwide, AV-rated litigation and trial firm specializing in insurance defense and protecting its clients from Nuclear Verdicts®. Founded in 2002 by Robert Tyson and Patrick Mendes, the firm has experienced tremendous growth, with offices across the United States. Tyson & Mendes is known for its expertise in defending corporations, insurance companies, and their clients against Nuclear Verdicts®.

Serving 24 states with 30 offices nationwide, Tyson & Mendes is one of the fastest-growing civil defense firms in the U.S. and is proud to offer one of the fastest and clearest paths to partnership for its attorneys of any mid-sized law firm in the U.S. The firm is honored to be recognized as a 2024 and 2025 Best Law Firm by Best Lawyers, named a 2026 Best Company to Work For: Law Firms edition by U.S. News & World Report, shortlisted for PropertyCasualty360 2026 Insurance Luminaries Award, and have an extensive trial bench of attorneys who have been recognized by Best Lawyers 2026, Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch 2026, and Super Lawyers. The firm has also developed a spinoff consulting firm, Apex Defense Consulting, aimed at equipping carriers and counsel with the education, collaboration, and expertise needed to stop Nuclear Verdicts® and slow social inflation.

For more information, visit www.tysonmendes.com.

About Apex Defense Consulting

Apex Defense Consulting is a specialized insurance defense consulting firm, offering educational, community, and consulting services via a slate of experienced trial lawyers and Nuclear Verdict® experts. Founded in 2025, Apex Defense Consulting is the first of its kind within the insurance defense industry and is poised to revolutionize the industry with The Apex, the first and only data-backed and trial-tested blueprint for the defense to stop outsized and unjust Nuclear Verdicts®.

For more information, visit www.apexdefenseconsulting.com.

For press inquiries, contact: 

Debbie Caldwell
Plat4orm PR
debbie@plat4form.com

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SOURCE Tyson & Mendes