Washington County Lawyers

Willis Brantley practices criminal defense for the Gunther Law Group in Hertford N.C. Mr. Brantley earned his B.A in Journalism from East Carolina University and Graduated from Western Michigan University's Thomas M. Cooley Law School.

David Henson joined Henson Fuerst in 1998. He received his bachelor’s degree with academic distinction from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill in 1995. He then received his Juris Doctor from University of North Carolina School of Law in 1998.

Prior to becoming a lawyer, David worked as a certified emergency medical technician. Being a first responder to accidents involving catastrophic injuries, he saw how the negligence of one person can drastically and dramatically change someone else’s life. After joining the firm in 1998, David went on to lead and manage the injury, disability, and mass tort sections of...

Thomas Henson Jr. joined Henson Fuerst in 1989. He received his Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration in 1986 and his Juris Doctorate in 1989—both from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.

Thomas is the Past Chair of the board of directors of the Brain Injury Association of North Carolina (BIANC), advocating for brain injury victims and their families across North Carolina, and currently serves on its board. He has been a presenter at multiple conferences for victims of Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI), their caregivers, and brain injury professionals.

In 2012, Governor Bev Perdue appointed Thomas to the first...

Lawrence founded Tickle Law Office in 2013 after graduating from Campbell University School of Law and passing the North Carolina State Bar. Lawrence earned his Bachelor of Science in Political Science from East Carolina University in 2010 as well as his Master of Science in Criminal Justice and Public Administration from Liberty University in 2015. Lawrence served in the United States Marine Corps after high school where he learned the essential leadership and management skills necessary to be successful as a zealous advocate for his clients. A native of Reidsville, NC, Lawrence now calls Franklin County home. He prides himself...

For more than 37 years, Gene Riddle has been fighting for the rights of the injured. As the founder and Managing Partner of Riddle & Brantley, LLP, Gene has earned a reputation of excellence within the legal community and is a valued leader at our law firm. Under Gene's leadership, Riddle & Brantley has recovered over $600 million in compensation for clients since 2000 alone. Today, Gene believes honesty, integrity and willingness to work hard are the bedrock principles of a good attorney. That is what he and the other lawyers at Riddle & Brantley provide to their injured clients. Gene...

Joe Kennedy is a former prosecutor, and now a dedicated Criminal Defense Attorney. As a prosecutor, he handled tens of thousands of cases and gained valuable experience and insight. Joe is dedicated to providing exceptional legal representation for clients facing criminal charges. Joe received a B.A. from University of North Carolina Chapel Hill in 2000. He obtained his J.D. from Samford University’s Cumberland School of Law in 2006. Joe is member of the North Carolina Bar Association, North Carolina Academy of Trial Lawyers, Carteret County Bar, and District 3-B Bar. He has received multiple honors including an AV Preeminent Rating...

Ken was born in Honolulu, Hawaii in 1961 and served as a Captain in the United States Marine Corps from 1986 through 1990, where he was a member of the JAG Corps. Ken practices law in the following areas: workers’ compensation, personal injury litigation, wrongful death, bankruptcy, and trials in state and federal courts and arbitrations.

He is a Board Certified Workers’ Compensation Specialist through the North Carolina State Bar and was recently appointed to a three-year term on the North Carolina Bar Association Workers’ Compensation Section Council. Mr. King is also a member and frequent lecturer at the Workers’ Compensation...

Laurie Biggs' practice focuses on business and consumer bankruptcy, including chapter 7, chapter 11, chapter 12, and chapter 13 cases. Ms. Biggs primarily represents small business owners, individuals, and those in the agricultural sector who need help addressing their debts or exploring their legal options. Ms. Biggs has been certified as a specialist in business and consumer bankruptcy by the North Carolina State Bar. With almost twenty years of experience helping clients navigate their financial difficulties, Ms. Biggs In addition to bankruptcy cases, Ms. Biggs also practices in the area of out of court financial restructuring, business disputes, civil...

Most families will encounter the legal system at some point. Whether it involves divorce, adoption, child support, custody, or estate planning, it can all feel overwhelming. At Breeden Law Office, we remove the loneliness and uncertainty around domestic law issues. Attorney Jonathan Breeden is a North Carolina family lawyer with over 20 years’ experience, who aggressively fights for families in Johnston, Harnett, and Wake counties. No matter what your family is dealing with, we genuinely care about the outcome and have the skill to fight for your children, your financial security, and your future. Our clients expect honest advice and fierce...

Paul is an experienced Estate Planning Lawyer. His focus on the client-attorney relationship and peace of mind of his clients sets Paul apart from other traditional lawyers. Paul takes his fiduciary role very seriously. His relationship-centered philosophy emphasizes a focus on solutions rather than just documents and deliverables. He believes in focusing on the client’s goals and pain points – not a stereotypical “one-size-fits-all” method. At the initial Strategy Session, Paul sits down with prospective clients, discusses their specific family and financial concerns, educates them on how the law works in North Carolina, and works with the clients to determine how...

Mr. Kellis focuses his practice on litigation. No matter is too small. No matter too big. Mr. Kellis litigates criminal matters, traffic/ DWI cases, injury claims, worker’s compensation, estate administration and many other legal matters. Formerly, he was certified with the NFLPA as an NFL agent. He is the President of the Carteret County Republican Men’s club and a member of the Southeastern Admiralty Law Institute. Tommy is also an USCG Captain. In his free time he enjoys fishing, boating and all things involving being on the water. He also enjoys spending time with his children and wife at our...

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...

Jim Lupton is an accomplished Criminal Defense attorney and formerly a successful local prosecutor. He is the only private criminal defense attorney in Carteret County both certified by the North Carolina State Bar as a State Criminal Law Specialist and recognized as an AV Preeminent Peer Rated Lawyer by Martindale Hubbell, which is the highest possible rating in both legal ability and ethical standards. Jim is knowledgeable, confident, well-respected, hardworking and above all, always dedicated to protecting his clients by listening to them, being available for them, and aggressively fighting for them. He has been admitted to practice in U.S. District...

Danny Donahue is a Board Certified Specialist in State and Federal Criminal Law and focuses his practice on DWI, traffic, criminal cases, and misdemeanor drug offenses. If you have been issued a ticket or charged with a crime in the Outer Banks or surrounding areas, give us a call to discuss your options. We serve the OBX in Dare Co. (Nags Head, Kill Devil Hills, Kitty Hawk, Duck, Southern Shores, Buxton, Hatteras, Waves, Avon) and Currituck (Grandy, Moyock, Corolla, Carova). We look forward to helping you.

Jason advises families and small businesses in a wide range of issues. His practice includes estate planning and administration, business law, real estate, litigation, and appeals. He has tried a wide variety of civil and criminal cases to jury verdict or hung jury.

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...

John started his legal career in the trenches as a Navy Judge Advocate General (JAG) Corps Lieutenant with the United States Navy. He graduated from Naval Justice School in 1991, boarded the Guided Missile Cruiser (USS CHOSIN) in Hawaii, and finally reported to his permanent duty station at the Naval Legal Service Office in Yokosuka, Japan. As a Navy defense attorney for three years, John battled in court, day after day, for the wrongly accused. It was there that he developed and honed his advocacy skills for the injured, for whom he now goes to battle everyday in the...

Roger Crowe has been a Criminal Defense Attorney for 27 years. He has represented tens of thousands of clients. His reputation as a trial Attorney is exceeded only by his devotion to his Family and Community. Recently, The NATIONAL TRIAL LAWYERS ASSOCIATION, named him to the "Top 100 Criminal Trial Lawyers in North Carolina." Roger was born in Dunn, North Carolina. He attended NC State University where he double majored in Business and Economics. He attends services at First United Methodist Church in Morehead City. Roger has been married for 34 years and has 2 Children. He enjoys fishing...

Letha Sgritta McDowell is a highly accomplished attorney and shareholder at Hook Law, specializing in various areas of elder law, including estate planning, special needs planning, estate and trust administration, asset protection planning, long-term care planning, personal injury settlement consulting, guardianships & conservatorships, and tax law. Her expertise ranges from assisting clients with complex estate planning for high-net-worth individuals with assets over $75 million to developing simple plans for families with limited assets. Ms. McDowell has a distinguished professional background. She served as the President of the National Academy of Elder Law Attorneys (NAELA), a notable position within the field. In...

John E. Nobles, III focuses his practice on criminal defense. Like his partner Jim Lupton, he handles everything from traffic violations to serious felonies, including homicides. John is a graduate of UNC-Chapel Hill. Prior to Law School, John served in the United States Marine Corps as a Force Reconnaissance Platoon Commander. He served three combat tours for our country. After being Honorably Discharged as a Captain, John attended Campbell University’s Norman Adrian Wiggins School of Law. John has defended numerous clients and understands the importance and seriousness of an accusation. He strives to get the best possible...

Elizabeth focuses her practice on reuniting families and helping individuals reach their American dream. As an adoptive mom of four siblings, she understands the importance of keeping families together.

From 2006 until 2013, Elizabeth assisted an immigration attorney as a paralegal managing the processes for immigration matters including permanent resident/green card applications, petitions for family members, immigrant and non-immigrant visa applications, adjustment of status applications, and citizenship and naturalization. She realized that she wanted to take the lead and help people reach their American dream. It was at that time that she decided to enroll in law school.

In 2015, she graduated...

Franchesco Fickey Martinez was born and raised in Eastern North Carolina, specifically Onslow County and its Surrounding Areas. After attending undergraduate school, graduate school, and law school, he wanted to return to his community and start his own practice. In 2015, Mr. Fickey Martinez opened his own practice, calling it Fickey Martinez Law Firm, P.L.L.C. Mr. Fickey Martinez strives to have his law firm be innovative and business oriented. To meet that end, Mr. Fickey Martinez believes that a law firm should be reasonably prices, mostly flat-fee based, and have a high regard for client-lawyer communication. ...

Justin has been defending criminal defendants in Carteret County since 2013. Prior to moving to Carteret County, Justin and his wife, Erin, practiced law in Guilford and Davidson County. Justin completed his undergraduate studies at Duke University, and after working in the business world for several years, Justin attended law school at Elon University. After receiving his law license, Justin opened and gradually expanded his own practice, ultimately culminating in the formation of Enecks & Enecks after Justin and Erin married in 2013.

Bryan's practice focuses primarily on probate, estate administration and estate planning matters. He guides his clients through the probate process including qualification of personal representatives, estate inventories and accountings, and special proceedings. Bryan's practice also includes representation of individuals and families in guardianship matters.

A native of Lancaster, Ohio, Amanda graduated in 2008, Magna Cum Laude, from The Ohio State University with a Bachelor of Arts in English. She graduated from the University of Toledo College of Law in 2011. While in Law School, Amanda interned with the Ohio Sixth District Court of Appeals. With a concentration on Elder and Special Needs Law, Amanda began practicing with White & Allen, PA in 2017. She is a zealous advocate for the elderly and disabled rights' for public benefit, including navigating the laws governing Special Assistance Medicare, and Medicaid. Her practice area also includes Incompetency and...

Matt Godwin grew up in Tarboro, graduating from Tarboro High School in 1997 and from North Carolina State University in 2001. In 2002, Matt enrolled in the School of Law at North Carolina Central University. Following his second year at Central, he worked as a legal intern at the Carteret County District Attorney's office. During Matt's third year of law school, he also interned at the North Carolina Attorney General's Office. Upon graduation and admission to the North Carolina State Bar in 2005, Matt worked as an Assistant District Attorney in Wake County. During his tenure at the...

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...

I have been practicing bankruptcy law and consumer law for over twenty years. In addition to looking at the relief that bankruptcy can offer, I also look for claims to assert against creditors. I will pursue claims against creditors for violations of the Fair Debt Collections Act, the North Carolina debt collection statute, Truth in Lending and RESPA violations. I also pursue mortgage servicing abuses arising under Regulation X. I am a board certified specialist in consumer bankruptcy law. I am also a two-time graduate of Max Gardner's nationally featured "bankruptcy boot camp" and have...

Mr. Dunn is an attorney at the law offices of Riddle & Brantley and brings a wealth of knowledge and resources to our legal team. With a number of courtroom victories and negotiated settlements to his credit, Donald is a valued member of our legal team.

Randy practiced personal injury law for nearly 30 years and represented thousands of clients who were badly hurt in various types of accidents. Randy is now a retired partner of the firm.