Vander Military Lawyers

Kris Poppe joined the Richardson Firm in 2016 after nearly 35 years of military service, including over 20 years as an Army Judge Advocate. Kris served as an NCO in the U.S. Marine Corps and as an Army infantry officer before becoming an attorney. As an active duty Judge Advocate, Kris built a service-wide reputation for his courtroom skill and criminal law expertise and was the “go-to” trial defense counsel for high-profile and complex cases. Among those cases, he defended the only officer court-martialed in the Abu Ghraib trials and Major Nidal Hasan. Kris culminated his Army career as the first...

I came to Harnett County in 1987 to attend Campbell University, and it has been my home ever since. Raised just south of Fayetteville, with five years spent working in Raleigh with citizens from across North Carolina, and having worked for projects across our nation, it is a true pleasure to return home and serve my neighbors and our community. The mission of Carver Law Firm, PLLC, is to insure you receive competent representation.

Danny Earl Britt, Jr., enlisted in the North Carolina National Guard as a private while he was still attending high school in Tar Heel, NC. Following high school he attended Appalachian State University where he walked on and played football graduating Magna Cum Laude in Boone, North Carolina with a B.S. in Political Science and concentration in pre-legal studies. After graduation, Danny immediately enrolled in law school in Oklahoma. Following law school Danny joined a firm in Elizabethtown North Carolina working for a few years before taking a job with the Robeson County District Attorney's office. Danny served...

For over 20 years I have helped thousands of individuals navigate the claims process for government benefits. Social Security Disability and Veterans Benefits are federal programs with often complicated and confusing claims processes. I work with each client personally to help make the process go as smoothly as possible.

David Russotto began his legal career as an attorney with the U.S. Navy Judge Advocate General's (JAG) Corps. He was stationed at Naval Base Norfolk as Defense Counsel and then as Trial Counsel and Legal Services Attorney at Naval Air Station Oceana.

After attending Staff Judge Advocate School, David went on to work as staff Judge Advocate at FCTCLANT Dam Neck in Virginia Beach, providing legal advice to the base commander. In 1991, he went into private practice and in 2000, Mr. Russotto helped found Marcari, Russotto, Spencer & Balaban.

David’s long familiarity with the military and respect for the sacrifices made...

Steven J. Goralski is an experienced military defense attorney, with court martial trial experience in Marine Corps, Army, and Air Force courts. He served on active duty in the Marine Corps for over 11 years, attaining the rank of Major. He spent several years as an active-duty military lawyer in the criminal defense office at Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune, in Jacksonville, NC; one of the busiest defense offices in the Marine Corps. He also spent time as the Deputy Staff Judge Advocate (legal advisor) to the Commanding General of Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune. He also has experience...

Andrea Smaxwell is committed to being a strong, effective advocate for her veteran clients as they seek the legal benefits guaranteed by their past military service. She has a breadth of knowledge and experience in international law, workers’ compensation, and personal injury law.
Andrea earned her Juris doctorate with a distinguished specialization in international law from Golden Gate University School of Law in San Francisco in 2009. She continued her studies at the school’s Sompong Sucharitkul Center for Advanced International Legal Studies. She earned her Master of Laws (LLM) in International Legal Studies there in 2010. While earning her second law...

Kristopher J. Hilscher is a board certified specialist in family law. He practices family law exclusively (child custody, divorce, alimony, child support, and equitable distribution). Military family law is a special emphasis as Kris routinely serves as an expert on military family law, and is a frequent author and speaker at legal education conferences and seminars on the topic. Kris has gone to trial on numerous extensive family law cases, including several multiple day trials and trials involving expert witnesses. Kris is the co-chair of the military committee of the ABA family law section, and serves...

Ginny practices in the areas of social security and veterans disability law. The North Carolina State Bar has certified her as a specialist in social security disability law. Ginny is accredited to practice before the Department of Veterans Affairs and is admitted to the Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims. She is also admitted to the U.S. Federal District Courts in all three North Carolina districts. Ginny stays involved with professional organizations in her areas of practice both locally and nationally. She is a past chair of the social security disability specialization committee of the North Carolina State Bar. Ginny is...

Christa practices in the areas of veterans disability and social security disability law. She has been dedicated to helping veterans receive the benefits they've earned since 2007. She represents veterans at all levels—VA Regional Offices, the Board of Veterans Appeals, and the Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims. Christa has been helping disabled people win their Social Security Disability (SSDI) and Supplemental Security Income claims since 1992. She handles social security cases at the administrative level as well as appeals in the federal court system. The North Carolina State Bar has certified her as a specialist...

Adam focuses primarily on business/corporate and construction law. As at partner of Felton Banks, PLLC, Adam understands the importance of quality, affordable legal advice. Felton Banks is structured to be the first stop for a small business's legal needs. In 2011, Adam, a lifelong North Carolinian, joined the North Carolina National Guard. He spent a short time as an engineering officer, and was then selected to serve as a North Carolina National Guard Judge Advocate General (JAG) officer, focusing specifically on soldier defense.

I am admitted to practice law in North Carolina. I graduated from Elon University School of Law and cum laude from North Carolina State University with a Bachelor of Arts in political science: law and theory. At Elon University, I was a member of the Phi Alpha Delta Law fraternity, student advocacy board and mock trial competition team. For the past 10 years I have represented thousands of Veterans in their disability claims, including CLCW, Agent Orange, Burn pits, orthopaedic conditions and mental health disorders.

Federal Practice: • Member of the United States Supreme Court Bar • Accredited Attorney by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs • Admitted to practice before the Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims State Practice: • Member of the North Carolina Bar since 1994 • Licensed to practice in all NC Courts and Eastern NC Fed. District Court Memberships: • Member of the National Academy of Elder Law Attorneys • Member of the National Organization of Veterans Advocates Teaching: • MBA, concentrations in Finance and Decision Sciences • Traditional and online college instructor for 6 years • Founder of CLE.LawDox continuing legal education courses for attorneys • Founder of mentoring.LawDox teaching the business of law

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...

Born in Charlotte, North Carolina, Attorney Rob Nye graduated from The Citadel with a B.A. in History (Honors) and then Widener University School of Law in Wilmington, Delaware, earning his Juris Doctorate. Before entering the private sector of practice, Rob served his country as an Infantry and JAG officer in the United States Army. He deployed with the 3rd Infantry Division in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom III and was awarded the Bronze Star Medal. While on active duty, Rob was lead counsel in over 30 trials, and gained invaluable experience zealously advocating for his clients. Rob has...

I am a graduate of DePaul University College of Law. After law school, I moved to Colorado and worked as a public defender for several years. Through this experience, I gained extensive advocacy skills and learned to effectively fight for my clients’ rights. In 2006, I relocated to Washington, D.C. to work for the Department of Veterans Affairs on the Board of Veterans Appeals (Board). During this time, I developed a passion for helping Veterans. Working for the VA, I learned how to effectively navigate through the VA process, fully develop claims and get positive results for Veterans....

Personal Injury Attorney? Check. Criminal Lawyer? Check. Military Lawyer? Check. A trial lawyer for over 40 years, Mr. Slaughter has vast experience in personal injury law, civil law, and criminal trial practice. He began his legal career in 1979 as a prosecutor in the office of the Commonwealth’s Attorney for Norfolk, Virginia. He rose to the position of Chief Deputy before entering the private practice of law in North Carolina in 1989. Following about 15 years of trial work in private practice, he returned to the Norfolk Commonwealth’s Attorney’s office in 2004 as the Chief Deputy prosecutor and later served as the interim...