Norlina Lawyers

Owner of Hamilton Law Firm, PLLC a General Law Practice serving Vance, Granville, Franklin and Warren Counties.

Managing partner Benjamin T. Cochran oversees the operation of Hardison & Cochran Attorneys at Law in addition to representing individual clients in cases involving workers’ compensation and personal injury law.

A lifelong North Carolinian, Cochran knew from his high-school days in High Point that he wanted to be an attorney. He received a B.A. degree in economics and African-American studies from the University of North Carolina in 1999 and then enrolled at the Norman Adrian Wiggins School of Law at Campbell University.

As a second-year law student, Cochran started working part-time in the law firm he now manages. During his third year...

North Carolina Professional License Defense Attorney Nicholas Dowgul, or “Nick” as he prefers, began his legal career in 2008 in the Public Defender’s Office in Harrison County, Mississippi. In this position, Dowgul found his passion for the litigation of cases. Being in a courtroom felt like home to him. While he loves the mental battle within a courtroom, he believes resolving cases outside the courtroom is typically in the client’s best interests when it’s a valid option. However, when the time calls for it and resolution measures outside of the courtroom have been exhausted, Dowgul is well-prepared to obtain the best results for...

Paul is an experienced Estate Planning Lawyer. His focus on the client-attorney relationship and peace of mind of his clients sets Paul apart from other traditional lawyers. Paul takes his fiduciary role very seriously. His relationship-centered philosophy emphasizes a focus on solutions rather than just documents and deliverables. He believes in focusing on the client’s goals and pain points – not a stereotypical “one-size-fits-all” method. At the initial Strategy Session, Paul sits down with prospective clients, discusses their specific family and financial concerns, educates them on how the law works in North Carolina, and works with the clients to determine how...

In joining Hardison & Cochran in 2008, Joel Jackson Hardison made a transition from defending insurance companies in Workers Compensation cases to representing injured and disabled workers. He applies the insights he gained from representing insurance companies to assist the injured workers he represents. There is little doubt about which type of practice he prefers. Hardison received a B.A. degree in journalism from the University of North Carolina in 1999 and a J.D. from the UNC School of Law in 2004. He was a member of the law school’s Holderness Moot Court team and was named to the Dean’s List. He launched his...