Partnership Chair
David W. Hood and Michael J. Barnett, partners with the Hickory law firm of Patrick, Harper & Dixon LLP, were recently honored in North Carolina’s 2017 “Super Lawyers” publication. Mr. Hood was named a “Super Lawyer” for the fifth consecutive year. Mr. Barnett was named a “Rising Star” for the sixth consecutive year.
The selection process consisted of nominations and evaluations by other lawyers, as well as independent research by the “Super Lawyers” research department. The evaluation is based on twelve indicators of peer recognition and professional achievement: verdicts and settlements; transactions; representative clients; experience; honors and awards; special licenses and certifications; position within law firm; bar and/or other professional activity; pro bono and community service as a lawyer; scholarly lectures and writings; education and employment background; and other outstanding achievements. A “Rising Stars” candidate must be forty years old or younger, or have practiced law less than ten years.
Mr. Hood represents clients in the western half of North Carolina who are involved in business litigation and construction disputes. A significant portion of his trial work is for insurance companies in the areas of transportation, premises, professional negligence and construction. He is the immediate Past President of the North Carolina Association of Defense Attorneys, the organization for lawyers representing business interests in civil litigation. He also serves as counsel to the Catawba County Board of Commissioners and Chair of the Catawba County Board of Elections. A certified mediator, Hood also mediates cases pending in both state and federal court.
Hood is a graduate of the UNC School of Law. He is the past president of the Greater Hickory Cooperative Christian Ministry. He is involved in the local arts community and served as past president of the Green Room’s Board of Directors. He is currently serving as President of the Church Council for Church of the Master United Church of Christ. His wife, Sandi, is a minister currently working as Director of Community Relations with Catawba Regional Hospice. Their son, Wilson is a UNC graduate attending Harvard Divinity School while their daughter, Callie, is a graduating senior at UNC.
Mr. Barnett practices in the areas of business litigation, estate litigation, construction/real property litigation (commercial and residential), prenuptial agreements, separation agreements, equitable distribution cases, collection matters, and insurance defense. He has represented clients in the North Carolina Business Court, the North Carolina Court of Appeals, the North Carolina Supreme Court, and the North Carolina Federal Courts. He graduated with honors from the UNC School of Law in 2002.
Barnett is a past president of the Catawba County Bar Association and the 25th Judicial District Bar. He serves on various committees of the North Carolina Bar Association and the North Carolina Association of Defense Attorneys. Barnett serves as vice-president of the Church Council at Church of the Master United Church of Christ. He is also on the Board of Directors for the Greater Hickory Cooperative Christian Ministry. Barnett and his wife, Agnese, live in Hickory with their daughters, Nicole and Isabel.
