Atty. Melissa Hill

Atty. Melissa Hill

Melissa Hill is a native of Asheville, North Carolina. She received her B.A. degree, magna cum laude, as a member of Phi Beta Kappa, from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill in 1984.

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Profile Summary

About Melissa Hill at a glance

Melissa Hill is a criminal defense and white collar attorney based in Raleigh, North Carolina, practicing at Tharrington Smith LLP. Admitted to practice in North Carolina, North Carolina State Bar. Educated at The University of South Carolina School of Law (J.D., 1987) and The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill (BA, 1984). Recognitions include Best Lawyers in America — Criminal Defense: White-Collar (2026), Best Lawyers in America — Awards: (2026), and Best Lawyers in America — AV Preeminent Peer Review Rated Lawyer, Martindale Hubbell (2026). Serands clients in Raleigh, NC and the surrounding metropolitan area.

Verified attorney profile · Updated June 2026

About

Melissa Hill is a native of Asheville, North Carolina. She received her B.A. degree, magna cum laude, as a member of Phi Beta Kappa, from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill in 1984. She also attended law school at UNC, where she was admitted to the Order of the Coif, was on the North Carolina Law Review and received her J.D. with honors in 1987.

Ms. Hill is the author of Tennessee v. Garner - The Use of Deadly Force to Arrest as an Unreasonable Search and Seizure, 65 N.C.L. Rev. 155 (1986); and Branch Banking & Trust Company v. Wright - Creditors Rights to Entireties Property Awarded to Nondebtor Spouse Upon Divorce, 64 N.C.L. Rev. 1471 (1986).

Ms. Hill joined Tharrington Smith in 1987 and practices criminal and civil litigation in state and federal courts in North Carolina as well as in other states. She has earned the top rating (AV®) in Martindale Hubbell. She is a member of the North Carolina Advocates for Justice, the Association of Trial Lawyers of America, the Wake County Academy of Criminal Trial Lawyers, the National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers, and the American, North Carolina, and Wake County bar associations, and formerly served as an officer on the North Carolina Bar Association's Criminal Justice Council.

  • Selected for inclusion in Best Lawyers in America®, since 2010

  • AV® Preeminent Peer Review Rated Lawyer, Martindale Hubbell

  • Member - Order of the Coif

    Practice Areas Explained

    Melissa Hill's Areas of Practice

    Each practice area below reflects the types of cases Melissa Hill handles, with a brief overview of what that area of law covers.

    Criminal Defense

    A criminal defense attorney protects your rights from arrest through trial. Find experienced lawyers handling DUI, drug, federal, theft, and violent-crime charges.

    Melissa Hill is one of 214,271 criminal defense attorneys indexed nationally. Browse criminal defense attorneys in North Carolina →

    White Collar Crimes

    Melissa Hill is one of 20,025 white collar attorneys indexed nationally. Browse white collar attorneys in North Carolina →

    Jurisdictional Context

    Why local counsel matters in North Carolina

    Practicing law in North Carolina. Legal matters in North Carolina are governed by state-specific rules of civil and criminal procedure, statutes of limitations, and substantive law. Cases originating in Raleigh are typically filed in the local municipal court or the appropriate North Carolina state district court, depending on subject matter and amount in controversy. An attorney licensed in North Carolina brings working knowledge of local procedural deadlines, judicial practices in this andnue, and the substantive law that applies to cases brought here. Out-of-state attorneys generally cannot represent clients in North Carolina courts without local counsel or pro hac vice admission.

    Looking for additional North Carolina attorneys? Browse all attorneys in Raleigh or all attorneys in North Carolina.

    Frequently Asked

    Common questions about Melissa Hill

    Where is Melissa Hill's law office located?
    Melissa Hill's law practice is located in Raleigh, North Carolina. The firm is Tharrington Smith LLP. You can contact the office directly through this profile page.
    What practice areas does Melissa Hill handle?
    Melissa Hill focuses on criminal defense, white collar. Each practice area listed reflects experience handling cases of that type in North Carolina.
    Where did Melissa Hill go to law school?
    Melissa Hill earned their education at (J.D., 1987); (BA, 1984).
    How can I contact Melissa Hill for a consultation?
    You can contact Melissa Hill directly through this profile page. Click "Ask the Attorney" to submit a question, or "Schedule a Consultation" to book a meeting. Most claimed-profile attorneys respond within one business day.
    What awards or recognition has Melissa Hill received?
    Melissa Hill's notable recognition includes: Best Lawyers in America — Criminal Defense: White-Collar; Best Lawyers in America — Awards:; Best Lawyers in America — AV Preeminent Peer Review Rated Lawyer, Martindale Hubbell; Best Lawyers in America — Member - Order of the Coif.

    Education

    J.D.
    The University of South Carolina School of Law
    - 1987
    BA
    The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
    - 1984

    Awards

    Best Lawyers in America — Criminal Defense: White-Collar
    - 2026
    Best Lawyers in America — Awards:
    - 2026
    Best Lawyers in America — AV Preeminent Peer Review Rated Lawyer, Martindale Hubbell
    - 2026
    Best Lawyers in America — Member - Order of the Coif
    - 2026

    Bar Admissions

    North Carolina, North Carolina State Bar

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