About Kristopher B
Kristopher B Gardner built his legal foundation at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, where he earned a B.A. in political science in 1998. He went on to complete his J.D. at North Carolina Central University School of Law in 2002. Those academic years shaped his interest in courtroom procedure and dispute resolution. The path from classroom to courtroom was steady and deliberate.
After law school, Gardner entered practice in North Carolina. He is admitted to the North Carolina bar and also holds admission before the U.S. Supreme Court. Those admissions reflect a willingness to handle matters at different levels of the judicial system, from state trial courts to the highest federal forum. Over the years he has developed a practice that combines courtroom work and negotiated settlements.
Gardner is a Certified Superior Court Mediator through the North Carolina Dispute Resolution Commission. That credential signals training in facilitation and settlement techniques used in Superior Court cases across the state. He uses mediation as part of his toolbox for resolving disputes. Clients who prefer an alternative to trial often seek a mediator who understands both the law and the practical pressures that push parties toward settlement.
At Tharrington Smith LLP, Gardner is part of a team that handles civil matters for individuals and businesses. He contributes experience in case preparation, motion practice, and settlement discussions. Colleagues describe him as methodical in preparing a case and pragmatic in the courtroom. He balances litigation demands with mediation work, shifting between advocacy at trial and the quieter negotiation table as circumstances require.
Outside the courtroom, Gardner’s background in political science and his law training inform how he frames complex issues for judges and opposing counsel alike. His approach emphasizes clear legal analysis and practical outcomes. He maintains an active practice at Tharrington Smith LLP, where he handles litigation and mediation matters.
