Sharpsburg Lawyers

Shaunis Mercer co-owns Peaceful Law with her husband, where together they champion amicable resolutions in family law and comprehensive estate planning. With nearly two decades of legal expertise, Shaunis is passionate about helping her clients achieve clear and peaceful agreements—be it prenuptial, separation, or custody—that protect and honor their family. Her holistic approach to estate planning ensures that her clients' legacies reflect their values and aspirations for generations to come. In addition to her role at Peaceful Law, Shaunis is a respected consultant for other law firm owners. She shares her insights on business growth, client relations, and the delivery of...

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...

I'm Bill Ramos, a husband, father, grandfather, disabled USMC vet, small business owner, and attorney. I understand the need to protect those we love. As a husband, father, and grandfather, I understand how important it is to protect and provide for those we love. As a disabled Marine Corp veteran, I understand how the unexpected can happen in an instant, and change your life forever. As an attorney, I apply all I've learned personally and professionally to serve the needs of my clients. In all these ways, I've been there, I understand.

Mr. Jennings joined the Law Offices of James Scott Farrin in 2006 and practices in the Firm's Workers' Compensation Department. He received his J.D. with honors from the University of North Carolina School of Law, and graduated magna cum laude from North Carolina State University, where he received his B.S. in Animal Science. Since obtaining his law degree, Mr. Jennings has practiced in the area of workers' compensation, and is now representing workers having suffered catastrophic injuries as a result of a work accident. "After working in insurance defense as an attorney for workers' compensation insurance carriers, I sought to make an...

Daniel Krchnavek is an attorney licensed to practice law in North Carolina. He is a member of the Wake County Bar Association and the North Carolina Bar Association. Daniel mostly practices in Chatham, Durham, Harnett, Johnston, and Wake counties. The majority of his practice involves family law, including, but not limited to: adoptions, alimony, child custody, child support, divorce, equitable distribution, guardianships, and postseparation support. When not practicing law, Daniel enjoys spending time outdoors with his family.

Attorney Val Cesanelli handles family law cases for our firm, with a focus on child custody cases and matters arising out of the process of separation and divorce, such as separation agreements and questions of spousal and child support. Val also handles other family related cases, such as paternity actions, legitimations, name changes and changes in birth certificates, as well as provides drafting services of powers of attorneys and simple wills.

Val is as much a litigator as she is a counselor at law for her clients. As a mother of three children and three stepchildren, Val is both professionally and...

Having practiced at both an international law firm and as in-house counsel at a large publicly traded company, Rich McAvoy has a history of providing superior litigation and other legal services to some of the most discerning clients. By engaging the Law Office of Richard McAvoy, PLLC, you or your business can receive the same quality representation that the world's largest corporations receive, but at a fraction of the cost, right here in Apex, North Carolina.

Relevant Experience
-Represented Fortune 50 client in state and federal court litigation at both the trial court and appellate court level
-Negotiated $70 million investment in...

Kelly was born and raised in North Carolina, and currently lives in Hillsborough, North Carolina with her wife and daughter. Kelly has worked with the seriously mentally ill, at risk youth, troubled families, domestic violence aggressors and victims and as an intake counselor for a four county area in NC. She has extensive training as a mediator As an attorney, she has represented defendants with serious felony offenses through negotiated pleas or jury trials to verdict. She has represented a wide variety of clients in negotiated and litigated family law matters and believes that negotiation should always be pursued...

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...

Family Law is my focus. Child Custody and all aspects of Divorce (including military divorce) are the bulk of what I do and I love it. I have the knowledge to get you to the best possible results available to you. In addition I take pride in making sure my clients know and understand what is happening in their case, because it is their life that is being impacted. I enjoy working as a team with my client to get the case successfully resolved.

Laura was born and raised in Jacksonville, NC. In 2011, she graduated from East Carolina University with a Bachelor of Arts in English. She continued her education at Thomas M. Cooley Law School and graduated with a Juris Doctorate in 2013.

Laura enjoys writing, reading and engaging in community service. Laura joined the King Law Firm in 2014 and practices in the areas of workers’ compensation, personal injury litigation, and social security disability.

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...

With a focus on personal injury litigation, Ms. Schertzinger is a member of the American Bar Association, North Carolina Bar Association, and the North Carolina Advocates for Justice and is a valued member of the legal team at the law offices of Riddle & Brantley.

With an engineering degree and MBA, I started my career as an in-house consultant in the aerospace industry. After a few years I transitioned to engineering and consulting positions in other industries. Eventually I returned to college for a law degree and have been a courtroom lawyer for more than 20 years.

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...

I conduct residential and commercial real estate closings and transactions; draft real estate instruments, including contracts, deeds, notes, easements, leases, and more; and review and advise on real estate instruments and title matters.

Attorney Justin Nichols practices family, personal injury, and criminal law in Chatham, Orange, Durham, and Wake Counties. He joined Averett Family Law in 2012, after practicing in the fields of personal injury defense, workers’ compensation, and complex construction litigation.

Justin has extensive experience in the courtroom litigating cases, as well as helping clients negotiate out-of-court settlements. He has handled cases before state administrative agencies, the state superior and district courts, the North Carolina Justin Nichols Associate Attorney Pittsboro Siler City Court of Appeals, and the federal district court.

Justin graduated cum laude from Campbell University School of Law in Raleigh, North Carolina,...

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...

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.

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.

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...

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...

My name is Ben Busch. I am an attorney concentrating on foreclosure defense and debt resolution. I also offer general practice services in real estate, domestic and personal injury law. I primarily service Orange, Durham and Wake counties. I designed my fees to offer you affordable access to attorney that will protect your legal rights and obtain results for you. Thank you for considering me to be your attorney.

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.

Jeff is a highly dedicated and accomplished lawyer with a wealth of experience in various areas of law, particularly focusing on tax, estate planning, and administration. His expertise and genuine passion for charitable planning make him a sought-after advisor for families looking to structure their initiatives using trusts. Jeff's educational background showcases his commitment to excellence. He holds an Estate Planning Certificate and an LL.M in tax from the prestigious Georgetown University Law Center, which have equipped him with a deep understanding of the intricate legal nuances involved in estate planning. Combining his advanced education with practical experience, Jeff is well-equipped...

Kelly L. Greene was born in Raleigh, North Carolina. Kelly attended high school at Woodberry Forest School in Virginia. He attended Wake Forest University where he earned a B.A. in English in 1996. He attended law school at Campbell University and received a J.D. in 1999. Kelly was admitted to the North Carolina State Bar in 1999. Kelly is a member of the Craven County Bar Association, serving as its President in 2003-2004. He is a member of the United States Eastern District of North Carolina, Fourth Circuit Court of Appeals, the North Carolina Bar Association, and North Carolina Advocates for...

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...

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.

Jennifer R. Pope has been an attorney in Jacksonville, North Carolina since 1988. She grew up in Jacksonville, and attended the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill as a Morehead Scholar, graduating with her Bachelor of Arts Degree in Psychology in 1985. She went on to attend Law School at UNC Chapel Hill, and graduated in 1988. Jennifer started her legal career with Ellis, Hooper, Warlick, Waters and Morgan, in general practice until 1992, when she joined Frank Pope and her brother, Gordon Robinson, Jr., in the firm of Robinson, Pope and Pope. In 1997, Jennifer decided to concentrate...

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...

Attorney Van Apeldoorn majored in Trust and Wealth Management Pre-Law at Campbell University and graduated in 2018. After receiving her bachelor’s degree, she stayed to attend Campbell Law School and was active in several organizations, including the Christian Legal Society, Women in Law, and the Re-Entry Project. During law school, she was an Honor Court Justice, interned at the Craven County District Attorney’s office for two summers, and also had an externship with Judge Flanagan at the United States District Court for the Eastern District of North Carolina. After graduating from law school, Attorney Van Apeldoorn passed the bar exam...

ESTATE AND ELDER LAW ATTORNEY Licensed to practice law in the state of North Carolina and has been a practicing attorney since 2005. Memberships: National Academy of Elder Law Attorneys, The Christian Legal Society, Law Affinity Chairman of the Regent University Raleigh/Durham Alumni Chapter. Accredited by the Department of Veterans Affairs: Kevin Huston has been accredited by the Department of Veterans Affairs to handle benefits claims on behalf of veterans, most commonly, the Aid and Attendance benefit. Kevin has been invited by various organizations to...