Highfalls Lawyers

Nathaniel “Nat” Smith heads up the firm’s civil litigation practice. He handles serious personal injury and workers’ compensation cases in addition to business litigation, trust and estate litigation cases. He also works on civil appeals on behalf of the firm’s clients. Mr. Smith grew up in Raleigh, where he was a member of Broughton High School’s 50th graduating class in 1979. He attended the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, graduating in 1983 with a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Economics. He graduated with honors from UNC School of Law in 1993. While in law school, he clerked...

Rachel is a born and raised Richmond, Virginia native. She attended James Madison University, where she received her undergraduate degree, including Bachelor of Arts degrees in both International Relations and Arabic Language. After graduating from college, she worked for one year as a paralegal at an elder law firm in the Midlothian area, which solidified her desire to attend law school.

Rachel attended law school at Elon University School of Law, in Greensboro, North Carolina, where she received her Juris Doctor degree in 2017. During law school, Rachel had the opportunity to serve as an intern to the Honorable David J....

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...

Charles Montgomery is a family law attorney located in Cary, North Carolina. His practice emphasizes equitable distribution of property, child custody, child support, alimony and divorce. Besides more than thirty-five years' experience as a family law attorney, he has extensive experience in commercial real property and business litigation. He received his law degree from Vanderbilt University in 1974 and his undergraduate degree with honors from Duke University in 1971. He is admitted to practice in state and federal courts and before the U.S. Supreme Court. Charles is listed in Marquis' "Who's Who in America" and "Who’s Who in American...

Melissa Duncan is a member of the family run Duncan Law, PLLC. Our firm is family run and we do all that we can to treat our clients as if they were part of our own family. Duncan Law's Commitment To You: Free Consultation: The first time that you come to our office to talk with an attorney it will be completely free. You deserve to have your case heard without having to pay. Your free consultation will allow you to explain your situation to an attorney so that he can best explain your legal options. Personal Attention: We treat you as a...

The immigration process can be long, drawn-out, and complicated. That is why you need the support of a tried and true attorney who can fight for you and the resolution that is in your best interests. Come to the law firm of Robert Brown and secure the help you need from an Ohio immigration lawyer. Attorney Robert L. Brown received his Juris Doctorate at Cleveland State University, Cleveland-Marshall College of Law. He has been admitted to the Ohio Bar and the Bar for the District of Columbia. Attorney Brown is a member of the American Immigration Lawyers Association, the Cleveland...

Abbey Hudson first joined Carolina Family Estate Planning as a Law Clerk before passing the bar exam and joining the firm as an Estate Planning and Elder Law Attorney. Abbey attended North Carolina State University for her undergraduate degree (Go Pack!). She has always loved the Raleigh area, so attending NC State was a no-brainer. Abbey decided to stick around Raleigh after graduation to attend law school at Campbell University School of Law. Probably the most frequently asked question a law student gets is "What type of law do you want to practice after graduation?" During her first year of law school,...

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...

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...

Mr. Taibi graduated with Highest Honors as first in his class at the Duke University School of Law in Durham, North Carolina. While in law school, Tony served as an Article Editor of the Duke Law Journal, a Moot Court Board member and participant, and won the “Most Effective Advocate Award” for Trial Practice. Tony then served as Clerk to the late Judge Francis D. Murnaghan, Jr., United States Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit, in Baltimore, Maryland. Following his clerkship, Mr. Taibi taught Civil Procedure, Torts, and Regulatory Law and Policy as an Assistant Professor at the University...

Timothy D. Edwards has been practicing Family Law in Fayetteville, NC since 1995. He was raised in North Carolina and graduated from Richmond Senior High School in 1988. He then studied at Liberty University where he was a competitive member of the top nationally ranked Debate Team. He then received his Law Degree from Campbell University in 1995. He joined the law firm of Blackwell & Edwards upon graduation. His practice focuses on family law.

Danny Bradford, a native of Marion, North Carolina, has built a distinguished career in law through a commitment to helping individuals and businesses navigate complex legal challenges. A graduate of McDowell High School in 1987, Mr. Bradford went on to earn a Bachelor of Arts degree with Distinction in History from the University of North Carolina at Asheville in 1991. Following a brief period pursuing other interests, he enrolled at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill School of Law, where he graduated with Honors in 1996. Since founding Bradford Law Offices in Raleigh in 1996, Mr. Bradford has honed...

I help people who are facing felony and misdemeanor criminal and traffic charges and driver’s license revocations. I also represent people on a wide array of family law issues such as Separation and Divorce, Child Custody and Support, and Alimony and Equitable Distribution, and I assist landlords and tenants with residential and commercial leasing disputes. I have been a criminal defense attorney since the beginning of my career. I worked as an Assistant Public Defender in both Gaston and Durham Counties, before I decided to move to private practice and left the Public Defender’s office to...

Hello, I'm Garistine Simmons, but please, call me "Joy". My parents, Gary and Christine Davis, inspired my name "Garistine" as a blend of theirs, and they nicknamed me "Joy" because I brought so much happiness into their lives. I chose to become a Life and Legacy Planning Lawyer driven by my passion for assisting others in planning, building, and solving problems to ensure their lives are filled with "joy" and "peace". In my legal practice, I concentrate on Business Planning, Estate Planning, and Medicaid Planning. I assist business owners in establishing the foundational and infrastructural aspects of their businesses, including business...

Attorney Matthew R. Plyler is a dedicated Fayetteville attorney focusing on serious personal injury. Mr. Plyler has been in practice since 1993 and is admitted to practice in North Carolina, as well as the U.S. Court of Appeals, Fourth Circuit and the U.S. District Court, Eastern District of North Carolina. More information about Attorney Plyler can be found by visiting www.plylerlaw.com or by calling Plyler Law Firm at (910) 248-4276.

Julia received a BA in Criminology and BA in Sociology from Marquette University in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Julia went on to earn her J.D. from Thomas M. Cooley Law School (N/K/A Western Michigan University Thomas M. Cooley Law School), in Lansing, Michigan. During law school, Julia competed in the Mock Trial First Year Competition and was a semifinalist. She also competed in Moot Court and was a finalist in the Negotiations Competition. During her last semester of law school, Julia completed an externship at the Durham County Public Defender’s Office. Julia is an associate attorney in the Family Law department. Julia focuses...

Jon graduated from the University of Kansas in 1965, and Columbia University School of Law in 1968. Before joining the firm, he clerked for the Honorable Richard T. Rives of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit and practiced with Carter, Ledyard and Milburn in New York City. He has taught at the law schools of Duke, UNC, and Wake Forest and is co-author of the practice volume of Larson's Employment Discrimination. Jon has served as President of the District Bar, Chair of the Dispute Resolution Section, Association's Labor and Employment Section and Appellate Rules Committee of the North...

Leah Shellberg is a highly skilled and experienced trial attorney in Asheboro, North Carolina focusing on all areas of family law, as well as criminal defense and immigration matters. Ms. Shellberg appears in court weekly for her clients, and has an impressive record of success in even highly contentious family law matters. Although she is a fierce and zealous advocate in the courtroom, Leah Shellberg prioritizes exceptionally compassionate and kind client service. Ms. Shellberg practices in Randolph, Guilford, Forsyth, and Montgomery counties, and is currently accepting new clients in the areas of family law/divorce, criminal defense, and...

Stephanie Goldsborough is a proven leader in the field of criminal defense, with a remarkable record in public legal service. After graduating with honors from Salem College, Stephanie received her J.D. from Campbell Law School. Stephanie began her sixteen-year legal career by dedicating her time and considerable talents to helping the less fortunate during their most trying times, in her work with both Legal Aid and the Public Defender’s office. A public servant to her core, Stephanie served as a domestic violence attorney for Legal Aid of Northwest North Carolina, where she litigated 50B actions and custody manners,...

Andrea is a North Carolina girl through and through, growing up in Greensboro and completing her undergraduate degree in Psychology at the University of North Carolina at Greensboro and graduating cum laude from Elon University School of Law in 2012. Since beginning her law practice in 2012, Andrea has practiced civil litigation all over North Carolina, and added Florida into her law practice in 2018. Andrea has participated in litigation in both District and Superior Court on matters varying from employment law, to business litigation, to estate litigation and family law. She has experience in collections, real property, business...

Hank graduated from the University of North Carolina in 1963 and from UNC Law School in 1966, where he was elected to the Order of the Coif. Before entering private practice, he served as law clerk to the Honorable J. Braxton Craven, Jr., of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit and worked as an attorney in Region 11 of the National Labor Relations Board. He has served on legislative study commissions and as Chair of the Workers' Rights Section of the North Carolina Academy of Trial Lawyers, Co-Chair of the North Carolina Bar Association's Workers' Compensation Committee, and...

For over 15 years attorney Kevin Kennedy and team have built a law firm on the values of transparency, clear communication with clients, and aggressive advocacy. All at an affordable rate. Attorney Kennedy is a Chapel Hill based criminal defense attorney serving the greater Triangle area. He focuses his practice on traffic related violations, DWI cases, revoked licenses, drug and alcohol violations, and traffic accidents. Please give us a call or get in touch with us on our website to receive a free consultation directly from Kevin himself about your pending legal matter. You are not a criminal. Let us...

False information on your credit report stopping you from getting a loan? Settled a debt, but collectors are STILL calling you? Identity theft victim? I sue creditors and credit bureaus, including Experian, Equifax, and TransUnion, on behalf of consumers who are not able to get credit reporting errors corrected on their own. I also advise victims of identity theft and security breaches, and I sue debt collectors and creditors in cases of abuse, deception, harassment, and threats, including harassing phone calls.

Consumer litigation: Fair Debt Collection Practices Act, Fair Credit Reporting Act, Telephone Consumer Protection Act,...

Chad Garrett, a former prosecutor, is a founding partner of Garrett, Walker, Aycoth and Olson, a firm that seeks to help clients navigate criminal cases, personal injury matters, family law cases, and business and civil litigation issues. Mr. Garrett concentrates on criminal law, traffic tickets and DWI trials. He is the author of the NCBAR Association's "ABC's of Criminal Court," and "ABCs of Traffic Law," among other publications. He teaches regularly on the topic of DWI trials. Mr. Garrett and his partners pride themselves on returning every call, everyday, and are always here to help. ...

Heather Helmendach joined The Noble Law’s Charlotte office as an Associate Attorney in October 2021 after gaining valuable experience as a seasonal associate for The Noble Law from May 2019 to January 2021. In 2021, Heather received her J.D. from the University of North Carolina School of Law, where she graduated in the top 10% of her class. During her time at UNC Law, she was a member of the North Carolina Law Review, UNC Women in Law, and served as President of the Labor & Employment Law Association. Not only is Heather passionate about working tirelessly to produce favorable outcomes...

NC Licensed attorney providing residential real estate legal services to Buyers, Sellers and Homeowners.

Public Welfare and Poverty Law

Paul Mengert II is a graduate of Elon University School of Law. During his eight-plus years of practice, Paul has accrued significant experience as a litigator and has handled all aspects of family law cases, including custody and divorce. Paul has a keen eye for big picture problem solving and a genuine desire to help his clients achieve their goals. Attorney Mengert is a native of Greensboro. As a young man, Paul achieved the highest rank in Scouting, the Eagle Scout Award. Paul has experience in acting, singing, and debate. While at Elon, Paul excelled at national-level mock trial competitions as...

The Law Firm of Atiya Clark serves clients in Guilford, Alamance, Randolph, Rockingham, Forsyth, Davidson, Chatham, Caswell, and Orange County. Attorney Atiya Clark focuses on traffic tickets, DWI/DUI, misdemeanors, felonies, expungements, driver's license restoration, and legal name change.

Jackie Bedard’s estate and long term care planning practice is focused on guiding clients through the complicated, often confusing, maze of balancing family protection, long-term care planning, wealth preservation, and cherished family values in the planning process.

Jackie determined early on that traditional estate planning has primarily focused on what happens upon death, but a far more pressing concern for many families today is—what happens if you don’t die suddenly, but instead need long term care for several months or years? A comprehensive estate and long term care plan should address both of these concerns.

Jackie is a member of WealthCounsel...

As an attorney at Maginnis Howard, Gibson focuses on being not just a legal advocate, but a trusted partner throughout each case. She understands that dealing with a legal issue can feel overwhelming, especially when coping with an injury or financial hardship. Her role is to shoulder the legal burden while keeping clients informed and empowered to make the best decisions for their future. What sets Gibson's practice apart is her commitment to clear communication and genuine care for each client's unique situation. Working with Gibson, clients can expect to understand: • Where their case stands • What options are available • The potential...

Tom Wright is a trial lawyer. His practice focuses on a wide area of litigation matters, including environmental litigation, employment law, insurance defense, personal injury, real estate and construction litigation, and estates and trust litigation. He represents clients in state and federal trial and appellate courts, and before federal and state administrative agencies. Mr. Wright advises clients in corporate, environmental and real estate matters and handles transactional matters for a variety individuals and corporations. Mr. Wright graduated from Haverford College with a A.B. in Political Science. In 1975, he received his J.D. with honors from the Law...

Attorney Kristi Haddock was born and raised in Cary, North Carolina. A true hometown attorney, she knows how much central North Carolina has changed over the past 30 years. Kristi recognizes the issues her clients face in growing cities that lack good public transportation. For that reason, Attorney Haddock is committed to helping her clients restore their license.

Prior to starting her own firm, Kristi worked as a criminal defense attorney for four years and enjoyed successfully defending a wide variety of misdemeanors, felonies, and traffic offenses both in and around Wake County. Kristi also successfully represented clients at numerous...

During the past 35 years I have represented clients who have been seriously injured in trucking and automobile accidents, as well as those who have sustained injury or death as a result of nursing home neglect, or the negligence of the owner of a vicious dog. I am guided by the forceful command of the North Carolina Rules of Professional Conduct, which describe an attorney’s special responsibility for the quality of justice: “ As an advocate, a lawyer zealously asserts the client’s position under the rules of the adversary system. As a negotiator, a lawyer seeks a result advantageous...

Daniel Christmann is an Immigration Lawyer in Charlotte NC and the owner of Christmann Legal Immigration Law. His international personal and professional background inspired him to implement a unique cosmopolitan approach to the practice of law. Mr. Christmann is dually trained and licensed both in Europe and the United States and fluently speaks both English and German. He has worked in government and corporate settings as well as private practice. His professional experience has taught him to analyze cases from all angles and produce honest work in an efficient manner. Mr. Christmann started his legal career in Germany, where he...