Eric Ridenour 

     Eric joined the firm of Haire & Bridgers in 1995 upon graduating law school at Washburn University.  He made partner in 1998 and while the firm has changed names and faces, Eric has been the firm's mainstay.  Eric currently focuses his practice on civil litigation, real estate, and local government law.

     Eric has handled thousands of cases, both civil and criminal, in Western North Carolina.  His recent jury trials include:  an action for breach of a real estate brokerage contract, private condemnation proceedings, right-of-way disputes, property tax foreclosure actions, and an action for breach of a residential construction contract.  Additionally, while the firm does not generally handle appellate matters, Eric has successfully argued a number of cases before the North Carolina Court of Appeals. 

     A resident of the Town of Sylva, Eric has served as Sylva Town Attorney since Decemeber 1998.  Prior to law school, Eric played basketball at the University of Kansas (1991).  His current interests include competing in amateur boxing tournaments, coaching little league baseball, and teaching a Sunday School class. 

J. Hunter Murphy

     Hunter Murphy became a partner in the firm on October 1, 2009.  He graduated from Tuscola High in Waynesville, NC and recieved his Bachelors of Arts degrees in Ecomonics and Religious studies from the University of North Carolina.  He received his Juris Doctor from the University of the Pacific-McGeorge School of Law in Sacramento, CA. 

     Hunter's practice focuses on civil litigation, estates, and criminal defense.  Hunter lives in Waynesville with his wife, Kellie, and is the proud father to twins, Brayden & Eden, who were born in August 2010.

huntermurphylaw@gmail.com

Jeffrey Goss

     Jeff joined the firm in September 2010.  His practice areas include civil and criminal litigation.  Jeff graduated magna cum laude from the Charlotte School of Law where he served as the Senior Managing Editor of the Charlotte Law Review.  

     During law school, Jeff worked as a clerk for the Hon. Frank D. Whitney, United States District Court, and spent a summer with the United States Army JAG Corps at Fort Jackson, South Carolina.  Prior to law school, Jeff worked as a corporate/real estate paralegal in the Atlanta office of Dow Lohnes PLLC.  

     A graduate of Western Carolina University (2005), Jeff and his wife Rosa live in Sylva with their son Gideon.  

jeffrey_goss@hotmail.com