New Hanover County Criminal Lawyers

Managing Partner and the founder of The Law Group, Melissa Gott is a graduate of the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and Campbell University School of Law. Melissa is a licensed North Carolina attorney, D.R.C. Certified Mediator, Financial (family law) Mediator, and Collaborative Attorney with Coastal Collaborative Colleagues. At the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Melissa graduated with distinction with a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration concentrating in finance and the legal environment of business. Melissa then matriculated to Campbell University’s School of Law. While in law school, Melissa was an editor...

James W. McGee Jr. of the McGee Law Firm, located in historic downtown Wilmington, NC handles DWI/DUI law as well as personal injury, traffic, and drug litigation.

The McGee Law Firm handles DWI cases in New Hanover, Brunswick and Pender counties in North Carolina.

The DWI laws are different in every state, and North Carolina's are some of the toughest in the nation. If you're arrested for DWI in North Carolina, you're going to need a tough attorney. I am known for working hard for my clients, not merely providing a cookie cutter defense based on a ten minute analysis,...

I am a graduate of the Charlotte School of Law who graduated in May 2015 with a Juris Doctor - Magna Cum Laude. During my time in law school, I was a member of the Presidential Honors Society, Order of the Crown Honor Society, and an Associate Editor of the Charlotte School of Law Property Law Journal. Additionally, I graduated in May 2012 from Appalachian State University with a degree in Business Management with a Concentration in Entrepreneurship - Magna Cum Laude. While attending Appalachian State University, I maintained a 3.65 cumulative GPA and was a frequent member of...

Thom Goolsby has spent a lifetime working for the public from his time in the United States Marine Corps, the North Carolina General Assembly, and his Goolsby Law Firm, PLLC. He is trusted, experienced, and tenacious as he protects your rights in his law practices. As a former North Carolina Senator drafting legislation, he understands how the law is structured and interpreted giving him detailed knowledge how to fight for his clients.

When you need a strong advocate standing up for your rights, contact Thom Goolsby at the Goolsby Law Firm, PLLC. Look for an experienced criminal justice...

Since 1987, attorney Christina Rivenbark has been building a reputation for passion, skill and integrity in areas of the law that matter to everyday, hardworking individuals and families. Under her leadership, our dedicated legal team handles criminal defense and personal injury cases in Wilmington and the surrounding areas. Most importantly, every client and every case truly matters to us. We demonstrate this by consistently delivering personal attention and hard work to achieve our clients’ goals. When you choose Christina Rivenbark & Associates for your criminal law or personal injury matter, we will greet you warmly and treat you with respect and...

Attorney Bruce Mason is an experienced attorney dedicated to the pursuit of justice for his clients. He is committed to protecting his clients' freedom inside and outside of the courtroom. Bruce focuses on Criminal Defense matters including Traffic Violations, Expunction of Criminal Records, Domestic Violence/Protective Orders, DUI/DWI Defense, Drug Possession, Felonies and more. Visit his website for more information and call for a free consultation!

For the last ten years I have dedicated myself and my practice to fighting for my clients who have been accused of criminal misdeeds and for others who have been injured by someone else's negligence. I am in the courtroom most every day fighting for my clients, whether they have been charged with DWI or drug offenses or major felonies. I also stand up to the insurance companies who may not want to pay what you deserve after being injured. I have helped my clients navigate through some of the toughest and most trying times of their lives. I am...

James F. Rutherford is a North Carolina native and graduate of the Michigan State University School of Law. He is genuinely passionate about advocating for the rights of the accused and guiding them through the criminal justice system. He is a highly rated attorney who earned an AV Preeminent® Rating by Martindale-Hubbell® for his legal ethics and talent and named a Super Lawyers® Rising Star™ from 2013-2015. James received certification as a criminal law specialist by the North Carolina State Bar in 2011 and is certified to administer standardized field sobriety tests.

I am a retired State Trooper with 29 years experience building DWI cases. If you have recently been charged with DWI or any other traffic or criminal offense, let me put my training, knowledge, and decades of experience to work for you. I know the process used to administer a breath or blood test. I know the training an officer has to stop someone, to administer field sobriety tests, to administer portable breath tests, to conduct DWI check points, and to arrest someone for DWI. I know the procedures used to operate and maintain...

James L Allard Jr. is an experienced attorney dedicated to serving his clients in the greater Wilmington, North Carolina area and beyond. Admitted to bar in 1986, Mr. Allard is an AV-Rated attorney by Martindale-Hubbell, and has been named Top 100 Trial Lawyers / National Trial Lawyers. Practice areas include: DWI defense, traffic law, DMV hearings, drug offenses, property crimes, violent crimes, sexual assaults, felonies, misdemeanors, trials in all federal and state courts, white collar crime. Visit his website for more information and call for a free consultation!

Wilmington, NC Lawyer R. Clarke Speaks practices in the areas of personal injury and criminal defense. He has achieved National Recognition through AVVO and Superlawyers. Specifically, he has attained a rating of "10.0" out of a maximum score of 10.0 on AVVO. In addition, he is rated "Superb". Superb is the highest possible rating. He has earned the "Top Car Accident Attorney" designation. In addition, R. Clarke Speaks has been selected to the Superlawyers for the second consecutive year for his work in the legal field of personal injury law. Recently, Mr. Speaks...

Haywood "Woody" White III is a former North Carolina State Senator and experienced trial attorney. His is a Board Certified Specialist in State and Federal Criminal Law, and has twice been awarded a member of the "Legal Elite" by Buisness, North Carolina Magazine.

David B. Collins, Jr. grew up all over North and South Carolina, mostly in Charlotte and Myrtle Beach. He attended the University of North Carolina at Charlotte where he graduated cum laude with a bachelor's degree in Biology in 1986. In 1993 Mr. Collins graduated with a Juris Doctor and Master of Business Administration from the University of South Carolina at Columbia and was admitted to practice law in North Carolina and South Carolina and Federal Courts.

Mr. Collins has been licensed to practice law in both North and South Carolina since 1993. In 1995, he moved to the Wilmington...

I have my Bachelor of Business Administration from the University of Miami, and my Juris Doctor from Thomas Cooley Law School where I was on the Dean's List, Honor Roll, and made the Law Review. I am a veteran from the United States Army. I worked for Liberty Mutual Insurance Company as a Senior Claims Adjuster handling Workers' Compensation, automobile and motorcycle accidents, and other insurance claims.

L. Bryan Smith’s primary practice areas are family law, criminal defense, and personal injury. He is proud of his dedication and responsiveness to clients. Bryan attended Francis Marion College in Florence, South Carolina, earning a degree in political science. He then matriculated to Campbell University Norman Adrian Wiggins School of Law for his juris doctor which he earned cum laude. After law school, Bryan was the founding member of a local law firm until he joined The Law Group as a partner.

Christian was born and raised in Indiana and attended Indiana University in Bloomington where he received a degree in Philosophy and Political Science. During college, Christian worked as a wildland firefighter for the U.S. Forest Service and the Bureau of Land Management in the summers. Christian then attended the University of Montana School of Law in Missoula. While attending law school, Christian interned with Justice Goff of the Indiana Supreme Court and the Federal Defenders of Montana. It was both of these experiences that inspired Christian’s passion for criminal defense. Upon receiving his J.D., he moved to Wilmington and began...

David Gross graduated from Lakeview High School in St. Clair Shores, Michigan in 1992 where he was on the football and swimming team. David graduated Summa Cum Laude from Mount Olive College in Mount Olive, N.C. with a B.S. in Criminal Justice. David attended the University of North Carolina School of Law in Chapel Hill where he was a member of the International Law Journal. After serving in both the Air and Army National Guard, David became a Rocky Mount N.C. Police Officer in 1998. David Gross performed all aspects of law enforcement including writing traffic citations,...

As a former prosecutor and current criminal defense attorney I have seen both sides of the law to gain a complete picture on how to best help my clients. I have a great amount of experience with the criminal justice system and a vast knowledge of how the police operate. I became a criminal defense attorney because I want to help people. I aspire to be the one person who is on your side and want to help you deal with your case with the least amount of anxiety possible. You will notice that the system is not...

Glenn was born and raised in Rhode Island. He has traveled and lived in various places during his ten years of service in the United States Marine Corps. Glenn graduated magna cum laude from the University of North Carolina at Charlotte in 2002 with a B.S. in Accounting. He worked for PricewaterhouseCoopers for two years before attending law school at George Washington University. Since graduating in 2007 from George Washington University, he sharpened his trial skills while serving as a prosecutor in the Alamance County District Attorney's Office. Glenn currently manages the Wilmington...

William “Gray” Smith grew up in Robersonville, North Carolina. He attended Randolph-Macon College in Virginia where he majored in Religious Studies and played wide receiver on the football team. Gray was an active member of Phi Delta Theta Fraternity while at Randolph-Macon. Gray came home to North Carolina to attend law school at Campbell University in 2014. During law school Gray devoted himself to becoming a trial lawyer. After being selected as a member of Campbell’s nationally recognized trial team, Gray competed across the country and earned Outstanding Advocate honors. Upon graduation from law...

The Houser Law Firm, P.C. is a Professional Corporation and full service, General Practice law firm located in Jacksonville, that serves Onslow Jones and surrounding counties in Southeastern North Carolina. We know that in these tough economic times, saving money wherever possible is important to most people. Our philosophy has always been to provide our clients with prompt, courteous and professional legal services at an affordable fee. While we never compromise on our legal professionalism, we do strive to manage our cost and expenses so that we can offer high quality legal services at fees that are...

Bill Gore brings professional experience unparalleled by any other attorney currently practicing in North Carolina to the representation of his clients. Mr. Gore has served as an Assistant District Attorney, Chief District Court Judge, Senior Resident Superior Court Judge and Commissioner of the N.C. Division of Motor Vehicles in addition to his professional experience as a practicing attorney. He has been licensed as an attorney in North Carolina since 1977. As a prosecutor, judge, and defense lawyer, he has participated in hundreds of cases, including Capital Murders and catastrophic injuries. Bill Gore is in court essentially every day bringing this...

I genuinely enjoy practicing law, meeting my clients, and doing my best to solve their problems. Each day brings a new face and a different challenge, and I am honored that I get to spend my days in my beloved hometown advocating for my neighbors. My focus is on traffic law and criminal defense in Bladen, Brunswick, and Columbus Counties, though I also handle 50-B and 50-C hearings for Domestic Violence Protective Orders. Additionally, my firm specializes in the mistreatment, serious personal injury, or wrongful death of inmates in North Carolina prisons and county jails. I am committed to...

Steven Matthew Laird has been licensed to practice law in North Carolina since August 2009. Mr. Laird's practice areas include criminal and civil litigation. Mr. Laird has experience defending Class C and lower felonies and defends all classes of misdemeanors, DWIs, probation violations and all other traffic offenses. He has also done court appointed work In Onslow and Pender Counties since he started practicing law. His court appointed work includes Class B1 and lower felony cases, all classes of misdemeanors, DWIs, probation violations (misdemeanor and felony), juvenile delinquency, domestic violence cases, and misdemeanor appeals. Mr. Laird handles cases in...

Aden Wilkie, managing partner of the Wilkie Law Firm, represents members of the various branches of the U. S. military throughout the United States. He also represents criminal defendants throughout southeastern North Carolina. Before starting the Wilkie Law Firm, Aden served 22 years in the United States Marine Corps. While in the Marines, Aden was known for his unwavering integrity and tenacious personality that translated into many successes both in and outside the courtroom. He has extensive experience in representing clients in a wide variety of military and federal matters. Aden has the experience to understand that while some cases may call...

Minick Law brings you more than an attorney. You get a defense team. Being charged with a crime in North Carolina is stressful, especially when you are trying to figure out where to start. I work hard to listen to and understand each of my client's situations to get them the information they need to make the right decisions about moving forward with their case and most importantly, get their life back on track. I am an attorney in Minick Law's Jacksonville office and have successfully completed the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration's course on DUI Detection and Standardized Field Sobriety...

Bachara & Essey, a general practice firm, provides intelligent, practical, and cost-effective legal counsel to clients across a wide range of industries. We provide legal assistance to clients throughout the Lower Cape Fear Region, in fields ranging from elder law, wills & estates and family law to criminal defense. Bachara & Essey counsel clients with respect to such essential matters as business transactions and litigation, real estate litigation, civil litigation, debtor/creditor issues, and probate & trust disputes. Please take a moment to explore our website to learn more about us, who we are and what we do,...

Kevin E. Heckart was born in Des Moines, Iowa in 1961. After graduating from Wentworth Military Academy he enlisted in the U.S. Marine Corps Reserves in the Spring of 1979. Kevin then continued to serve in the USMCR achieving the rank of Corporal while attending Drake University (B.A. – 1983). Before graduating from college, Kevin was accepted into the PLC program for prospective Marine Officers, completed the training and was Commissioned a 2nd Lieutenant in May, 1983.
After college Kevin attended Drake Law School (J.D. – 1985) and, upon graduation, the Basic School for Marine Officers in Quantico, Virginia and further...

Graduated UNC-Chapel Hill with BS degree in Industrial Relations in 1974; Graduated in Charter Class of Campbell University School of Law in 1979; Assistant District Attorney 4th Judicial District 1979-84. Private Practice of Law 1984-present. Primary Area of Practice: Criminal Defense; DWI; Driver's License Restoration. Licensed Real Estate Broker since 1974.

Over the years, Mr. Thomas has earned a reputation for being one of the best military defense attorneys in the country because of his successes litigating and trying some of the most highly publicized military cases. Mr. Thomas focuses on defending clients at court-martials, as well as, administrative separation hearings in the military justice system. Mr. Thomas also represents clients facing state and federal criminal charges in North Carolina. What sets Mr. Thomas apart is that he has experience from every angle in the courtroom and the ability to try any case that comes across his desk. Before starting his...