Viral Mehta has called Charlotte his home for over 30 years. He attended and graduated from Charlotte-Mecklenburg public schools. He then graduated from nearby Davidson College with a Bachelor of Arts in History. Mr. Mehta obtained his law degree from Wake Forest University School of Law and then returned home to Charlotte to begin his legal practice. Mr. Mehta spent the first decade of his legal career defending employers and large insurance companies in workers’ compensation claims. Mr. Mehta developed expertise in workers’ compensation law, but he felt a lack of fulfillment in representing insurance companies against injured workers. Mr. Mehta began representing injured workers when he founded the workers’ compensation practice group at a local law firm. Mr. Mehta then co-founded Mehta & McConnell PLLC. Mr. Mehta’s previous experience representing insurance companies gave him the insight necessary to effectively represent injured workers. He knows how insurance companies and adjusters handle workers’ compensation claims. Mr. Mehta is a North Carolina State Bar board-certified specialist in workers’ compensation law. He has obtained favorable decisions before all levels of the North Carolina Industrial Commission, Court of Appeals, and Supreme Court. Viral Mehta was a contributing author of the 2017 edition of the North Carolina Workers’ Compensation LexisNexis Practice Guide, and he was selected as a Super Lawyers Rising Star in 2019, 2020, and 2021. Mr. Mehta is certified by the North Carolina Dispute Resolution Commission as a Superior Court mediator. He enjoys mediating cases, especially workers’ compensation claims. In addition to practicing workers’ compensation law, Mr. Mehta also handles personal injury cases. Mr. Mehta is married with one son and a dog named Alfred. He enjoys spending time with friends and family, traveling, sports, and reading.

Michael Chandler, Esq., is a founding partner at Chandler Volta Personal Injury Lawyers, a personal injury law firm in Charlotte, NC, dedicated to helping individuals and families seek justice after serious injuries or wrongful death caused by negligence. With a deep understanding of personal injury law and over two decades of legal experience, Mr. Chandler is known for his tireless advocacy and unwavering commitment to his clients. Focusing on cases involving catastrophic injuries, wrongful death, auto accidents, motorcycle accidents, truck accidents, workplace injuries, medical malpractice, premises liability, and dog attacks, Mr. Chandler has successfully recovered significant compensation for his clients. His dedication to achieving justice has earned him recognition as a North Carolina Super Lawyer (2017–2023) and membership in the prestigious Million Dollar Advocates Forum. A native of North Carolina, Mr. Chandler earned his Bachelor of Science in Economics and Business Administration from Elon College and his Juris Doctor from Wake Forest University. He is an active member of the North Carolina Bar, Mecklenburg County Bar, and the North Carolina Advocates for Justice. His cases have been featured in North Carolina Lawyers Weekly, and he was named to the Legal Elite by North Carolina Business Magazine in 2020.

Attorney Thomas T. Downer is a native Charlottean. He graduated from Central High School and served in the United States Air Force. He has an undergraduate degree in Economics from the University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill and a law degree from the University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill. While at Carolina, he was a member of the Chi Phi Fraternity. He has been practicing law in Charlotte since 1967 and concentrates his practice in the areas of personal injury, wrongful death and workers’ compensation. He was admitted to the North Carolina Bar in 1967. Attorney Downer was awarded the Order of the Long Leaf Pine by the State of North Carolina. He is a member of the North Carolina Bar, the American Bar Association, the American Association for Justice, and the North Carolina Bar Association. He has been sworn into the United States Supreme Court. Attorney Downer has been married to his wife, Gretchen, for 52 years and has three grown children and one grandchild. Gretchen graduated from UNC-Chapel Hill in 1965 with a double major in English and Spanish. She taught at South Mecklenburg High School for several years before going into the antiques business with Attorney Downer’s mother. She is currently President of the Pawleys Island Festival of Music & Art. Attorney Downer’s daughter, Morgan, graduated from Charlotte Latin School, Columbia University, and Fordham Law School in New York City. She practices in New York City. His daughter, Peyton, graduated from Charlotte Latin School, lives in Charlotte, and is pursuing a bachelor’s degree in network systems administration and cybersecurity. His son, Andy, graduated from Providence High School, the University of North Carolina at Charlotte, and the Charlotte School of Law. He is a partner at The Downer Law Firm, P.A. Attorney Downer is a pilot and enjoys flying. He plays saxophone, his wife is an accomplished pianist, and they often get together with friends for “music nights’. They have a home in Pawleys Island, South Carolina, where they enjoy listening to beach music and going shag dancing. Attorney Downer enjoys reading about history and collecting classic cars. His sport is tennis.

Andy Downer is a true Charlotte native. He was born and raised in Charlotte. He graduated from Providence High School and went to college at The University of North Carolina at Charlotte where he received a degree in Mathematics for Business. Mr. Downer worked for Downer, Walters & Mitchener, P.A. over the years as a legal assistant before receiving his law degree from the Charlotte School of Law, where he graduated ahead of his class. After receiving his license to practice law, Mr. Downer became a full-time attorney at The Downer Law Firm, P.A. where he diligently helps those that are injured and in need of legal assistance.

Attorney Charles Ali Everage has more than 20 years of experience as a civil litigator. He is a passionate advocate for injured workers, the disabled applying for Social Security Disability benefits, and families experiencing a wrongful death. Originally from Montgomery, Alabama, he was admitted to practice in Alabama in 1998 before relocating to Charlotte in 2003. Mr. Everage is a proud graduate of Florida A&M University in 1995 and graduated law school from Georgetown University Law in 1998. In addition to being licensed in Alabama and North Carolina, Mr. Everage is admitted to practice in all three federal courts in North Carolina and Alabama, the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Ohio, the Fourth Circuit Court of Appeals and the Eleventh Circuit Court of Appeals.