The recognition of four Hardison & Cochran attorneys in the 2026 editions of The Best Lawyers in America® and Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch® in America underscores the firm's sustained commitment to legal excellence and client advocacy in North Carolina. This peer-reviewed recognition matters because it provides injured individuals and workers with reliable guidance when selecting legal representation during vulnerable times.
Benjamin T. Cochran received his 13th consecutive recognition in Workers' Compensation Law – Claimants, while Jack Hardison earned his first recognition in the same practice area. Rick W. Scott was recognized for the fourth consecutive year in Criminal Defense: General Practice, and Carter Whittington received his sixth consecutive recognition on the Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch list for Workers' Compensation Law – Claimants.
The significance of these awards extends beyond individual recognition, as Best Lawyers operates the oldest and most respected lawyer ranking service globally, using a rigorous peer review methodology where currently recognized lawyers vote on nominees within the same geographic and legal practice areas. This process ensures that recognitions reflect the consensus opinion of leading legal professionals about their colleagues' abilities.
For North Carolina residents seeking legal assistance, these recognitions serve as an important quality indicator when choosing representation for workers' compensation, personal injury, auto accident injury, Social Security Disability, and VA Disability matters. The firm's presence across multiple North Carolina locations, including Raleigh, Fayetteville, Greensboro, Wilmington, Greenville, and Dunn, combined with over 40 years of service, demonstrates their established commitment to statewide client advocacy.
The continued recognition of Hardison & Cochran attorneys in these prestigious lists reinforces the firm's reputation for providing exceptional legal services during clients' most challenging moments, offering assurance to those navigating complex legal systems following injuries or disability claims.
