Four attorneys from Johnson & Groninger PLLC have been selected to the 2026 North Carolina Super Lawyers and Rising Stars lists. This recognition reflects years of hard work, dedication to our clients, and a deep commitment to justice for injured people across North Carolina.
What Does It Mean to Be Named a Super Lawyer?
Super Lawyers is a rating service that identifies outstanding attorneys across the country. The selection process is rigorous. It uses peer nominations, independent research, and evaluations based on 12 indicators of professional achievement.
Only the top 5% of attorneys in each state earn the Super Lawyers designation. The Rising Stars list is even more selective—just the top 2.5% of attorneys who are 40 or younger, or who have been in practice for 10 years or less.
Lawyers cannot nominate themselves. They cannot buy their way onto the list. This is recognition earned through results, reputation, and the respect of fellow attorneys.
Ann Groninger — 13 Years on the Super Lawyers List
Ann Groninger has been selected to the North Carolina Super Lawyers list for the 13th time.
Ann leads our Charlotte office and focuses on personal injury and bicycle crash cases. She’s not just a lawyer who handles cycling cases—she’s a cyclist herself. That firsthand understanding of life on two wheels gives her a unique ability to fight for riders who have been hurt by negligent drivers.
Over the years, Ann has represented hundreds of injured people across North Carolina. Her 13 years on the Super Lawyers list is a reflection of the consistent, high-quality legal work she delivers to every client.
Valerie Johnson — 20 Years on the Super Lawyers List and Named to the Top List
Valerie Johnson has now been selected to the Super Lawyers list for an incredible 20 years. She was also named to the 2026 Super Lawyers Top 50 Women in North Carolina list.
Two decades of recognition is extraordinary. It speaks to Valerie’s tireless advocacy for injured workers and her deep knowledge of North Carolina workers’ compensation law. She literally wrote the book on it—her publication, North Carolina Workers’ Compensation Law: A Practical Guide to Success at Every Stage of a Claim, is a go-to resource for attorneys across the state.
Valerie leads our Durham office. Clients consistently describe her as honest, persistent, and genuinely invested in their well-being. When you’re hurt on the job and your employer or the insurance company isn’t doing right by you, Valerie is the kind of lawyer you want in your corner.
Jennifer Segnere — First Year on the Super Lawyers List
Jennifer Segnere has been selected to the North Carolina Super Lawyers list for the first time in 2026—and we couldn’t be more excited for her.
Jennifer is a Board Certified Specialist in Workers’ Compensation Law, which means she has demonstrated a significant level of expertise and competence in this area. She practices out of our Durham office and is also fluent in Spanish, making our firm more accessible to the diverse communities we serve across North Carolina.
Jennifer is passionate about helping hardworking North Carolinians who have been hurt on the job. Her dedication to her clients and her craft earned her this well-deserved recognition.
Drew Culler — 4 Years on the Rising Stars List
Drew Culler has been named to the North Carolina Rising Stars list for the fourth consecutive year. Rising Stars recognizes the top 2.5% of young attorneys in the state—and Drew has earned that distinction every year since the start of his career.
Drew works in our Durham office and is dedicated to serving injured workers across North Carolina. He understands that dealing with the legal system while recovering from an injury can feel overwhelming. That’s why he works closely with every client, making sure they understand their rights and options at each step of the process.
Why This Recognition Matters for Our Clients
Awards are nice, but here’s what really matters: the people we represent.
When four attorneys from one firm are recognized among the top lawyers in North Carolina, it tells you something about that firm’s values. It means our team consistently delivers results. It means other lawyers—including those on the other side of the courtroom—respect the work we do.
And most importantly, it means that when you hire Johnson & Groninger, you’re getting attorneys who have proven themselves year after year.
Injured on the Job or in a Crash? We’re Here to Help.
At Johnson & Groninger PLLC, our personal injury and workers’ compensation attorneys fight for injured people and their families every day. We handle cases across North Carolina and offer services in both English and Spanish.
The consultation is free. There are no upfront costs. You only pay if we win.
Contact us today:
Durham Office: 300 Blackwell St., Suite 101, Durham, NC 27701 | (919) 240-4054
Charlotte Office: 1018 East Blvd., Suite 6, Charlotte, NC 28203 | (704) 200-2009
Hablamos español.
Author Bio
Valerie Johnson
Founder
Valerie Johnson is a North Carolina personal injury and workers’ compensation attorney dedicated to helping injured and working people across the state. A board-certified specialist since 2000, she is the Immediate Past President of the North Carolina Advocates for Justice and author of North Carolina Workers’ Compensation Law: A Practical Guide to Success at Every Stage of a Claim.
