Highlands Lawyers

There are moments when society changes in a massive way. The invention of the printing press, for example, or when man first stepped on the moon. But many of the most important changes are far less exciting. The invention of the refrigerator completely reshaped the destiny of mankind. Now, with the relaxing laws surrounding the use of marijuana, we are experiencing another important step forward for mankind. Marijuana has proven, over and over again, to be a substance with the potential to affect the world in a positive way. But it is also a new industry, one that is rather...

A native of New Bern, Karl S. Gwaltney attended the University of North Carolina School of Law. Prior to law school, Karl graduated with honors from Appalachian State University, receiving a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration with a minor in Human Resources. Utilizing his extensive working experience and undergraduate studies in employment issues, Karl now represents individual employees in recovering unpaid wages and penalties in state and federal wage and hour claims as well as other employment issues, including Fair Labor Standards Act and North Carolina Wage and Hour Act compliance. He also handles Maginnis Law’s family law...

I limit my practice to mediation and arbitration and do not represent individuals. When both sides in a dispute agree to hire me, I will assist if it is a dispute that I think I can help resolve.

J. Thomas West, Attorney at Law, graduated cum laude and ranked second in his graduating class from Campbell University School of Law. While in law school he received the Corpus Juris Secundum Award for outstanding scholastic achievement; Am Jur Book Awards for Contracts, Wills, Trusts, Federal Estate Taxation and Federal Gift Taxation; Campbell School of Law Academic Scholarship; was awarded the J. Shepherd Bryan Scholarship; was a candidate member of the Campbell Law Review, a member of Phi Alpha Delta Law Fraternity and a member of Phi Kappa Phi Honor Society. He performed his undergraduate studies at Campbell also, where...

Mr. Watts is a native of Raleigh, North Carolina and attended Elon University, where he played varsity basketball and received numerous academic honors. After graduating from Elon in 2011, Mr. Watts worked as a pro bono intern at the Office of the Federal Public Defender in Raleigh, North Carolina.

In August 2012, Mr. Watts returned to Elon University School of Law to begin his legal studies as a Presidential Scholar. While in law school, Mr. Watts served as the Symposium Editor of the Elon Law Review, competed on behalf of the Elon Law Moot Court Board, mentored students as a Dean’s...

Josh works to engineer creative legal solutions allowing you to focus on your day-to-day, work, family, and operation of your business by helping to evaluate, mitigate, and resolve legal matters and worries before they escalate. Matters include: Tax Law - Federal Tax (IRS), State Tax (NCDOR); Administrative Law - Compliance, regulatory, and licensing; Municipal Law - Representation before local and county government; Aviation Law; Professional License Defense - Contractor, medical, accountant, aviation; Business Law - Complex business matters; entity and partner issues; business formation and dissolution; risk mitigation; vendor and contractor disputes; financial workouts relating to personal, equipment, office, retail, and lender obligations; Real Estate...

I grew up in a small town in Pennsylvania called Zelienople with five older siblings. In high school, I was a member of the marching band, SVTV (our television broadcast club), Thespians (our drama club), and the Honor Society. I was very active in high school theater. I graduated from Seneca Valley High School with honors and enrolled at the University of Pittsburgh, main campus where I studied English Literature, psychology and theatre arts. I spent my free time at the university theater or learning to play pool at the student union. I also was a founding...

My law partner and myself have been practicing law in Wake County for 20 years. We are a small law firm that gives individualized attention to our client's when they need it most.

Steven is an experienced Estate Planning Lawyer. Steven is licensed in both North Carolina and California. Over the last decade, Steven has primarily practiced in the areas of estate planning and tax planning. Steven is also a former Attorney Advisor for the Social Security Administration. Adding greater insight to Social Security Disability, Supplemental Security Income, and Medicaid programs. Steven grew up in Southern California, but he spent some time in Montana while serving in the United States Air Force. While in Montana, Steven was stationed at Malmstrom Air Force Base. His primary mission was safeguarding nuclear ICBM missiles dispersed over a...

Chris is an Estate Planning, Probate, Guardianship, and Employment Lawyer with years of experience helping people in Durham, Wake, and surrounding counties in North Carolina.

Benita N. Jones is originally from eastern North Carolina. She attended magnet schools in Raleigh and graduated from the North Carolina School of Science and Mathematics in Durham. She holds a Bachelor of Arts degree from Yale University, where she graduated magna cum laude, and a Juris Doctorate from Georgetown University Law Center in Washington, DC. Ms. Jones is admitted to practice law in North Carolina and Virginia and before the United States District Court for the Eastern, Middle and Western Districts of North Carolina. Her practice includes representation of public schools and other educational institutions. She is a...

Mr. Wilson is a member of the Durham County Bar Association, the American Bar Association, the North Carolina Bar Association and the North Carolina Academy of Trial Lawyers. He serves as a board member of the Large Law Firm Management Section of the North Carolina Bar Association. He is admitted to practice before the following courts: All North Carolina State Courts United States District Court for the Western District of North Carolina United States District Court for the Eastern District of North Carolina United States District Court for...

Dhamian Blue represents client in federal white collar criminal cases, business litigation, and severe personal injury cases. He has been recognized for his work by Super Lawyers magazine and Business North Carolina as among the state's "Legal Elite."

Howard Cummings is a tenured criminal litigator who brings a wealth of knowledge, resources, and insight into the criminal defense team at Tharrington Smith.

Howard served as Deputy Assistant District Attorney for Wake County for nearly three decades. During his tenure at the DA’s office, he handled thousands of criminal matters and became known for fairness and compassion, which he displayed to victims and offenders alike. Upon his retirement from the District Attorney’s office in late 2018, Governor Roy Cooper bestowed to him fellowship in the Order of the Long Leaf Pine in recognition of his service to the state.

Howard...

Mr. Brantley is a co-founder and Partner at the law offices of Riddle & Brantley, LLP. With a proven track record obtained from representing thousands of clients throughout North Carolina, Christopher is a board-certified North Carolina State Bar Specialist in Workers’ Compensation law that is also a recipient of the prestigious Million Dollar Advocates Forum award. An honor provided to less than 1% of all trial lawyers in the United States that recognizes his achievement of obtaining a trial verdict, award or settlement in excess of $1 million or more.

Rhonda Young was born and raised in North Carolina. She is an experienced courtroom litigator and practices in all areas of Family Law and Social Security Disability. Rhonda keeps clients focused on what matters – achievable results that puts the client in the best position.

Rhonda is an active member of the North Carolina Bar Association, Wake County Bar Association and 10th Judicial District. She serves on the Wake County Bar CLE Committee and the 10th Judicial District’s Fee Dispute Committee.

Who am I? I am a lawyer who has been practicing for almost 24 years. For that entire period of time, I have only handled personal injury cases, nothing else. I understand that the important things in life are not things at all...but integrity, values and loved ones..family and friends alike. I do not represent corporations and I sure don’t represent insurance companies. I represent ordinary people. Why? Well, when I was about 22 years old, I was working on an oil rig in the Gulf of Mexico as a roustabout and later a part-time roughneck on a drilling floor. I...

Everett Lupton is a trial lawyer practicing in state and federal courts in both Virginia and North Carolina. He has tried more than a hundred jury trials to verdict, tried even more bench trials, and represented clients in many arbitrations and mediations. Mr. Lupton is primarily a personal injury attorney who has represented injured persons in motor vehicle collisions, tractor trailer crashes, serious slip and fall injuries, mauling by animals, and other types of bodily injury claims. Furthermore, he has represented injured railroad workers in FELA (Federal Employee Liability Act) claims and cases, as well as representing injured maritime workers...

Mark A. Taylor is the founding and managing member of Carteret IP. Mr. Taylor concentrates his practice in the areas of patent procurement and litigation support, and trademark registration and dispute resolution.
He is admitted to practice in the state and federal courts in North Carolina and is a federally registered patent attorney. Prior to founding Carteret IP, Mr. Taylor was of counsel for the Lexington, Kentucky firm of Stoll, Keenon Ogden, PLLC. Prior to that Mr. Taylor helped establish the intellectual property practice group for McGuireWoods in Richmond, Va. Before that, and after graduation from law school, he was...

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...

I am a native of Pitt County, North Carolina. After completing college I was commissioned in the US Navy and served as an Assistant Supply Officer during three deployments aboard the USS Independence (CV-62). I have an interest in politics, the law, history, the Episcopal Church and in Eastern North Carolina.

James Moore is a true Wilmington native. His parents, who own a construction company, have been building in the area for decades. A graduate of Hoggard High School, James decided to stay close to home and attend the University of North Carolina at Wilmington.

While an undergraduate, James kindled a passion for law by taking a part-time job at Shipman & Wright as an office clerk. After earning his degree in business administration in 2003, James became a paralegal at the firm, and two years later entered Campbell University School of Law where he received numerous awards and honors.

Upon graduation, James...

As a dedicated attorney with experience in personal injury, family law, and criminal defense, I understand that legal challenges can be overwhelming and life-altering. Whether you’re recovering from an accident, navigating difficult family transitions, or facing criminal charges, I am here to provide compassionate, strategic guidance to help you move forward with confidence. Serving Wilmington, North Carolina, and the greater New Hanover, and Brunswick Counties, I bring years of experience as an Assistant District Attorney in Brunswick, Bladen, and Columbus Counties, offering a unique perspective on each case. From securing fair compensation in personal injury cases to advocating for clients in...

Todd M. Hess: Professional Engineer. Certified Financial Planner. Patent Attorney. NC Intellectual Property Mediator.

Todd Hess primarily concentrates his law practice in the North Carolina and South Carolina markets in all areas of intellectual property. He is additionally licensed to practice law in Georgia, and in federal court with the United States Patent and Trademark Office.

He brings over a decade of intellectual property experience to Barnwell Whaley, particularly in counseling start ups in the pharmaceutical and specialty chemical industries as well as the craft brewing industry.

Originally from Florida, attended law school in Oklahoma, and we have been happy to call North Carolina home for more than 20 years. My wife Tamra and I have three wonderful children.

Please see firm website for Chris Hinnant's current full bio:
https://www.barnwell-whaley.com/attorneys/chris-hinnant/

Hayes was born and raised in Eastern North Carolina and graduated from James Kenan High School in 1998. Hayes attended Hampden-Sydney College in Central Virginia where he met his future wife Emily. A graduate of Campbell University School of Law, Hayes was active in the Honor Court and was elected Cheif Justice of the Honor Court his 3L year. Hayes and Emily reside in Duplin County with their son Miller. In his spare time Hayes can be found running the backroads of Duplin County. He also enjoys fishing and hunting.

I help people charged with traffic tickets, driving while license revoked, driving while impaired, drug charges and other criminal matters protect their rights! The reason I'm so passionate about what I do is because I know how hard it is to fight the system. As a child, I watched my mother fight for and win her freedom, after being arrested for a crime she didn't commit. Her courage is what inspired me to come back to Louisburg, where I was born and raised, to practice law. Prior to starting my own law firm, I served as an Assistant District...