Rhonda L. Patterson

R. Clarke Speaks

Speaks Law Firm

• Representing injured people over the last twenty years, Clarke Speaks has developed a reputation as one of North Carolina's premier personal injury and workers’ compensation attorneys. Clarke has tried high profile criminal and civil cases in state and federal court. He has represented businesses and individuals throughout Virginia, South Carolina, North Carolina, Georgia and Florida. He has written briefs for the North Carolina Court of Appeals, the NC Supreme Court and the US Supreme Court. He has argued before the NC Court of Appeals, the NC Supreme Court, and the 4th Circuit Court of Appeals in Richmond, VA on many occasions.In 2010, Clarke began to focus his practice on helping injured people. The extensive trial experience he developed in criminal courtrooms is of great benefit in personal injury cases. "Most injury cases settle before trial. As a result, most injury attorneys do not have much courtroom experience. Having been in court almost every day for 20 years gives me a tremendous advantage. Trial experience gives me greater credibility with insurance companies. They know that we are very comfortable in the courtroom. They know we can and will go to trial if necessary."Clarke draws on those experiences every day to maximize the recovery for every client he represents. In addition, Clarke treats each client with kindness and compassion while building a strong case. The Speaks Law Firm provides top quality legal service to injured people all over North Carolina. "We don't tell our clients what to do. We talk with them. We give them information and help them analyze it. We help them make good decisions."Clarke Speaks obtained a Bachelor of Science in Economics from East Carolina University. He then enrolled in the MBA program at East Carolina. Subsequently, Mr. Speaks attended the Norman Adrian Wiggins School of Law at Campbell University, where he earned his Juris Doctor and also received the North Carolina Academy of Trial Lawyers Award for excellence in trial advocacy. While in law school, Clarke clerked for U.S. District Judge Malcolm J. Howard and completed an internship with the district attorney's office for the Fifth Judicial District in Wilmington, NC.Clarke has lectured at seminars for the North Carolina Bar Association and other organizations, and has authored several articles and legal guidebooks, including "The North Carolina Auto Injury Book", "The First 72 Hours after an Auto or Workplace Accident", "Busted by the Federal Authorities," “The Road to Recovery” and "The Ten Commandments of Criminal Court."