Wayne County Lawyers

I serve as the managing attorney at Maginnis Howard, a civil litigation firm based in Raleigh, NC, in Wake County. Our firm is unique in that we represent both plaintiffs and defendants in legal disputes. On the plaintiff side, my work primarily involves consumer class actions and business litigation. I previously held the position of chair for the Consumer Areas of Practice at the North Carolina Advocates for Justice. Our firm handles consumer cases on a contingency basis, covering issues under the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act (FDCPA), Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA), the Telephone Consumer Protection Act (TCPA), and related...

Stephanie joined the Cary Estate Planning team in May of 2023 as an Estate Planning Lawyer. She spent a combined eight years as a solo estate planning practitioner and then pro bono attorney in Pittsboro, North Carolina. She believes in proactive planning at all stages of our lives and aims to provide client-centered service. Stephanie lived in Massachusetts, Wisconsin, West Virginia, and Ohio before attending Duke University in North Carolina, where she studied comparative religion. She relocated permanently to Chatham County after returning to Ohio briefly to study at Miami University. During law school at North Carolina Central University, Stephanie served as...

Family Law and Divorce attorney with 16 years of experience. Lecturer for over 5 continuing legal education seminars teaching other attorneys about family law and divorce.

Keith Metz heads up our Charlotte office, serving clients in Mecklenburg, Union, Cabarrus, and Iredell Counties. After finishing law school, Mr. Metz opened his own law firm in Charlotte, focusing on criminal, family law, and small claims matters, which he continues to run in addition to his practice with iTicket.law. Mr. Metz also serves as a Pro Bono attorney for Safe Alliance, a Charlotte non-profit, aiding victims of domestic violence. Through his pro bono representation in court, Keith helps victims of domestic violence get the protection they need to live a safe life. Mr. Metz enjoys hiking with his German...

Aden Wilkie, managing partner of the Wilkie Law Firm, represents members of the various branches of the U. S. military throughout the United States. He also represents criminal defendants throughout southeastern North Carolina. Before starting the Wilkie Law Firm, Aden served 22 years in the United States Marine Corps. While in the Marines, Aden was known for his unwavering integrity and tenacious personality that translated into many successes both in and outside the courtroom. He has extensive experience in representing clients in a wide variety of military and federal matters. Aden has the experience to understand that while some cases may call...

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...

I represent clients with tickets in Cumberland County and Hoke County. I began my legal career in the Cumberland County Public Defender's Office in 2006. In 2010, I went into private practice and founded Kimrey Law, PLLC in 2015 and joined the Hatley Law Office in 2019.

My legal career has focused exclusively on traffic, misdemeanor and felony defense, to include being a member of the Capital Defender's Roster to try First Degree Murder cases. I also have a vast trial experience, both in District and Superior Courts. I proudly serve as an advisory board member to Second Harvest Food Bank...

Karina Herhusky is a dedicated professional who strives to provide the best legal representation for her clients. She believes that empathizing with clients is the key to successful representation. Karina understands the importance of keeping clients informed throughout every step of the process.

An immigrant herself, Karina understands a client’s perspective, including the challenges they face to legalize their status and other issues that may have an impact on their legal status. As a wife and mother, Karina empathizes with families who may be facing the threat of separation due to their immigration status. She fiercely advocates on behalf of...

William O. “Billy” Richardson has been practicing law in North Carolina since his admission to the Bar in 1980. Throughout his career, he has built a reputation as a zealous, effective litigator, in and out of the courtroom. He has appeared in front of the United States Supreme Court, the United States Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit, and the North Carolina Supreme Court. He continues to build The Richardson Firm, in hopes of providing zealous, competent representation for each client that he has the pleasure of representing. AREAS OF PRACTICE Personal Injury Medical Malpractice Eminent Domain/Condemnation Civil Rights Criminal Law BAR ADMISSIONS North Carolina, 1980 U.S. Court of...

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...

Ms. McCray loves the practice of law and enjoys helping people. She was born in Orangeburg, South Carolina and attended South Carolina College (the University of South Carolina's honors college) receiving undergraduate degrees in English and Psychology. Ms. McCray graduated from the University of South Carolina School of Law in Columbia, South Carolina. During law school, she clerked for Judge C. Tolbert Goolsby at S.C. Court of Appeals and interned one summer in Raleigh for the North Carolina Family Policy Council where she gained intimate knowledge of the legislative process in North Carolina. During her third year, she clerked...

Kellie Corbett chose the University of South Carolina for her undergraduate degree for two reasons: the pageantry of big-time college football and the fact she hates snow. She got the pageantry but it came with snow – a freak storm, 8” of the stuff, her freshman year.

There’s a lesson there but we’re not exactly sure what it is — yet.

Kellie was accepted at the University of North Carolina School of Law where she became the first law student in the history of American law schools (that dates back to 1793) to fall in love with Trusts and Estates while taking...

I concentrate in education law including special education law. I also represent petitioners and respondents in guardianship hearings in the Triangle area. Gahagan Paradis, PLLC accepts education law cases in every North Carolina county, and we are the largest parent friendly education law firm in North Carolina.

During much of past fifteen years of my career as an attorney, I worked in the non-profit public interest law sector to provide legal services and technical support to North Carolina’s financially distressed and limited resource property owners seeking to preserve their homes, land, farms, and rural livelihood.  I've also worked briefly at a small private law firm representing clients in personal injury and business litigation cases. I was raised in the West End community of Mebane – my father’s hometown and a historical black community founded by former slaves after the Civil War in Alamance County.  During the past several years, the West End Revitalization Association...

Attorney Hudson has been a successful advocate fighting the US Immigration System on behalf of immigrants, including himself and his family members, who have all successfully been granted citizenship in the US. Additionally, Attorney Hudson has served as an advocate to many undocumented immigrants by defending deportations, filing for temporary protected status and asylum, and many more.

Hugh Hudson, Esq. M.B.A. is a full service United States Immigration Attorney. Attorney Hudson provides exceptional counsel and representation for immigration needs including employment-based, family-based, and removal defense cases.

Attorney Hudson is the founding member of the The Law Office of Hugh...

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...

Trained as a real estate and estate planning attorney initially in my career, my practice areas have expanded to encompass estate administration, special proceedings, and corporate formation, as well as, real estate and estate planning. I am a young, energetic attorney determined to become the best in my field through excellent representation of each and every client. I am constantly learning new aspects of the law and surrounding myself with opportunities for growth. Have you reviewed your estate plan lately? If not, maybe it’s time we take a peek at it!

David E. Anderson, PLLC is a client-focused legal practice providing legal services in the areas of Estate Planning and Estate Administration.

After relocating from NY to NC, I discovered that newcomers in my community required help with estate planning and administration. Consequently, I have broadened my practice to include Brunswick and New Hanover Counties, as there are many newcomers to the area.

I have been a practicing attorney since 1987. I began my legal career in Los Angeles, California. I joined the Office of the Public Defender in 1990. During my 18 year career as a Deputy Public Defender, I was able to gain invaluable trial experience. I was promoted to the highest trial level position and was assigned death penalty cases. I lectured at attorney training seminars on the topic of juvenile mitigation and fitness and taught a felony trial series for new felony lawyers.
Upon relocating to North Carolina, I worked as an Assistant District Attorney for the County of Durham...

Bevin W. Wall, Attorney at Law is a General Practice of Law emphasizing DWI, Traffic & Criminal Defense, Real Estate & Bankruptcy Law, and Wills & Estates. Located in Newport, North Carolina, the primary jurisdictions of practice are the District & Superior Courts of Carteret & Craven Counties, NC, including Beaufort, Morehead City, Newport, Havelock, New Bern, and the Crystal Coast Beach communities of Atlantic Beach, Pine Knoll Shores, Indian Beach and Emerald Isle. A Leader in the Legal Community, the goal of Bevin W. Wall, Attorney at Law is to provide quality legal services to his clients, in an...

Visit my Website at www.wsjlaw.com. 21 years experience with emphasis on Construction Law Litigation Cases. Reasonable Fees, Free Initial Phone Consultation; Personal Attention, Direct Communications with me, not an associate or paralegal. I represent Homeowners, General Contractors, Subcontractors, Material Suppliers, and virtually every over participant in the construction context. I have brought legal claims against Engineers, Surveyors, Realtors, Brokers and Real Estate Agents, Sellers, Contractors, and all types of Subcontractors. Breach of Contract, Negligence, Defective Work, Fraud, Misrepresentation and Unfair and Deceptive Trade Practices. Graduated from the Norman...

James F. Rutherford is a North Carolina native and graduate of the Michigan State University School of Law. He is genuinely passionate about advocating for the rights of the accused and guiding them through the criminal justice system. He is a highly rated attorney who earned an AV Preeminent® Rating by Martindale-Hubbell® for his legal ethics and talent and named a Super Lawyers® Rising Star™ from 2013-2015. James received certification as a criminal law specialist by the North Carolina State Bar in 2011 and is certified to administer standardized field sobriety tests.

I spend my time helping my clients and their families face the reality of handling child custody, asset divisions, child support and divorce. Many of these issues involve not only legal, but emotional, practical and even business implications. Our effective team understands the nuances of these cases, and provides supportive, competent, and, when needed, aggressive representation.

Jim Snow was born in Baltimore, Maryland, in December of 1956; admitted to bar, 1982, North Carolina; 1984, Virgin Islands and U.S. District Court, Eastern District of North Carolina. Education: University of Pennsylvania (B.A., 1979, cum laude); University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill (J.D., 1982). Member: New Hanover County (Member, Executive Committee, 1990-1994) and North Carolina Bar Associations (Member, Business Law and Real Property Law Sections, Business Law Section Council, 2004-2008; Business Law Section Council, Membership Chair, 2007-2008); The North Carolina State Bar (Fifth Judicial District, Secretary-Treasurer, 1989-1990, Chairman, Fifth Judicial District Young Lawyers Division, 1990-1992). ...

My broad legal practice covers business litigation, ranging from complex cases in the North Carolina Business Court to more straightforward contract disputes, personal injury, and wrongful death cases, including medical malpractice.

But whatever type of case, I use investigative instincts that I honed over more than 14 years as a professional journalist before turning to the Bar.

I exited the University of Virginia in 1994 skilled in various forms of writing and on a mission to get to the bottom of things. A freelance writer and part-time newspaper reporter while still in school, I became a full-time journalist upon...

Russell is a native of Wilmington, North Carolina and has been practicing law in Eastern North Carolina since 2004. Russell attended the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and graduated in 1998 with degrees in Biology and Psychology. For the next few years, Russell worked in Chapel Hill and Durham as a research technician for the UNC Neuroscience Center, Intronn, LLC and Trimeris, Inc. During these years, Russell worked as part of research teams exploring RNA based gene therapies, viral fusion inhibitors, and the role Galactocerebroside plays in protein localization near nodes of Ranvier. After gaining...

"Give me liberty or give me death." I get that. Over the last 20+ years, I have represented many many clients, young, old, all walks of life, charged with crimes (some rightly, some-wrongly, some both) For many, their quality of life is suddenly gone, because they are incarcerated, and cannot make bond. For those folks, the powerful and slow machine that is our legal system begins its punishment long before any guilt is proven-- the accused is isolated, and their ability to help themselves is very limited, perhaps especially in finding a good lawyer. If ...

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. Justin joined Wheatly Weeks Newton, PA, in January 2025 and continues to represent criminal defendants in Carteret County.

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...

Joel Hancock is a native of Carteret County, NC. He was born and raised on Harkers Island by Susan and Joel Hancock, Sr.

Joel focuses exclusively on helping those who have been accused of criminal charges such as traffic infractions, DWI, misdemeanors, and felonies in Carteret County, NC.

In May of 2018, after five years of representing thousands of clients charged with everything from simple seat belt tickets to serious felonies, Joel opened Hancock Law Firm in Beaufort, NC, so he could devote 100% of his time at work to providing elite representation to his clients, and devote 100% of...

I am a retired State Trooper with 29 years experience building DWI cases. If you have recently been charged with DWI or any other traffic or criminal offense, let me put my training, knowledge, and decades of experience to work for you. I know the process used to administer a breath or blood test. I know the training an officer has to stop someone, to administer field sobriety tests, to administer portable breath tests, to conduct DWI check points, and to arrest someone for DWI. I know the procedures used to operate and maintain...

Concentrating in consumer and business Bankruptcy with over 25 years experience in the law. I limit the number of cases so that I know my clients and cases. Also experienced in tax issues, civil and criminal trials, both bench and jury, settlement, mediation, and all means to empower clients and produce a favorable result. My knowledge also includes contracts, adoptions, domestic matters, wills, estates, and most matters which may arise. Let me and my assistants tend to your matter. By practicing bankruptcy law I am a debt relief agency under federal law and proudly represent persons with debt problems.

Dori J. Dixon focuses her practice in the areas of estate planning, elder law and special needs planning. Whether you are planning for your family’s future, navigating the world of disability benefits, looking into long-term care options, or grieving the loss of a loved one, Mrs. Dixon can help you every step of the way.

Mariana Vázquez-García is the founder of Vazquez Garcia Law, PLLC. Her passion for helping people with their immigration cases was ignited when she joined the Immigration Law Clinic at the George Washington University Law School in the fall of 1997. While she was still a law student, she won two cases before the Immigration Court in Arlington, Virginia. She knew then that once she graduated law school in 1998, she only wanted to practice immigration law. That enormous desire to help others continues to this date with much success.

Since 1998, now as an Attorney, Mariana has...

Attorney Latrice Knighton is a dedicated divorce attorney with over 18 years of experience, licensed in both Wisconsin and North Carolina. Specializing in family law, she has developed a comprehensive skill set through rigorous training as a mediator and guardian ad litem. This unique background enables her to navigate both the legal and emotional complexities of divorce, ensuring that her clients receive balanced, compassionate, and effective advocacy. "I believe that understanding the full scope of a family's situation—both financially and emotionally—is essential to providing true support during a divorce. My training in mediation and guardianship advocacy allows me to offer a...

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. ...