Bat Cave Criminal Lawyers

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.

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...

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...

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...

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...

Chris is not the type of attorney who wants to collect the fee, plead guilty, and move on to the next case. He is a criminal defense attorney because he cares about people who have been accused, he enjoys taking cases to trial when necessary, and he loves winning. He is ready, willing, and able to represent you in any criminal, traffic, or DWI case for anything from a minor speeding ticket to a serious felony. The process of retaining him starts with scheduling a free initial consultation. You make the call, and he will handle the rest.

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.

Practicing for over 20 years in Yadkin County Traffic and Criminal Courts. Graduated From Campbell University School of Law

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...

James is a North Carolina Board Certified Specialist in Federal and State Criminal Law and Family Law with a trial practice in criminal, domestic, and general litigation. He is deeply committed to excellence and professionalism in the practice of law, having served on the North Carolina State Bar Specialization Criminal Law Committee, the North Carolina State Bar Board of Continuing Legal Education, and was Issue Planning Editor of the Law Review at Regent University. James also lectures at criminal, family law, and trial practice continuing legal education (CLE) programs, and is regularly designated by the Capital Defender as lead counsel...

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,...

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...

Christina E. Lollar is the founder of The Lollar Law Firm, PLLC located in Raleigh, North Carolina. Ms. Lollar brings a dedicated, innovative and individualized approach to the representation of each and every client. She currently concentrates her practice in civil litigation, criminal law, college student defense and employment law. At The Lollar Law Firm clients will find a high degree of sophistication and professionalism combined with a genuine commitment to helping people face personal, legal and business challenges. The Lollar Law Firm specializes in civil litigation, criminal law, collections, college student defense, and employment...

L. Bryan Smith’s primary practice areas are family law, criminal defense, and personal injury. He is proud of his dedication and responsiveness to clients. Bryan attended Francis Marion College in Florence, South Carolina, earning a degree in political science. He then matriculated to Campbell University Norman Adrian Wiggins School of Law for his juris doctor which he earned cum laude. After law school, Bryan was the founding member of a local law firm until he joined The Law Group as a partner.

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...

Mr. Kistler is dedicated to serving the people of Carteret and Craven County in both criminal and domestic matters. In law school, Mr. Kistler graduated fifth in his class, Summa Cume Laude. Before law school, Mr. Kistler was a member of the Crystal Coast community for many years where he worked as a sports writer for the Carteret County News-Times.

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.

I have my Bachelor of Business Administration from the University of Miami, and my Juris Doctor from Thomas Cooley Law School where I was on the Dean's List, Honor Roll, and made the Law Review. I am a veteran from the United States Army. I worked for Liberty Mutual Insurance Company as a Senior Claims Adjuster handling Workers' Compensation, automobile and motorcycle accidents, and other insurance claims.

Christian was born and raised in Indiana and attended Indiana University in Bloomington where he received a degree in Philosophy and Political Science. During college, Christian worked as a wildland firefighter for the U.S. Forest Service and the Bureau of Land Management in the summers. Christian then attended the University of Montana School of Law in Missoula. While attending law school, Christian interned with Justice Goff of the Indiana Supreme Court and the Federal Defenders of Montana. It was both of these experiences that inspired Christian’s passion for criminal defense. Upon receiving his J.D., he moved to Wilmington and began...

David Gross graduated from Lakeview High School in St. Clair Shores, Michigan in 1992 where he was on the football and swimming team. David graduated Summa Cum Laude from Mount Olive College in Mount Olive, N.C. with a B.S. in Criminal Justice. David attended the University of North Carolina School of Law in Chapel Hill where he was a member of the International Law Journal. After serving in both the Air and Army National Guard, David became a Rocky Mount N.C. Police Officer in 1998. David Gross performed all aspects of law enforcement including writing traffic citations,...

Lifelong Raleigh resident Andrew Sandman decided to begin his own criminal defense firm in 1995. Ten years later, he and Bill Finn became law partners and, soon after, welcomed Trey Fitzhugh into the partnership as well. Prior to beginning his own firm, Attorney Sandman attended North Carolina State University where he obtained his Bachelor of Arts in Business Management in 1990. Immediately after college, Attorney Sandman was accepted to The Norman Adrian Wiggins School of Law at Campbell University. While at Campbell, Andrew started an internship with the Wake County District Attorney’s Office and worked there during both his second...

Former Prosecutor for 11th Judicial District where I handled thousands of criminal case for State of North Carolina. Went into private practice in 1998 and opened my own law from in 2004. My main focus is Criminal Defense, Domestic/Family Law, Traffic, License Restoration, and Personal Injury. Pride myself on providing excellent service to my clients and forging long term trusted relationships with my peers, judges and law enforcement.

Annie Edmond is licensed to practice law in Florida and North Carolina. She is committed to the idea that no one should be lost in the shuffle of justice and continuously strives to advocate for her clients. Ms. Edmond is continuously involved in the community by assisting in pro bono efforts through Legal Aid, Justice Mattes and Wills for Heroes. Ms. Edmond received her Juris Doctor from North Carolina Central University School and her Bachelor of Arts in Criminology from the University of Florida. While in law school, she was an active member of the Public Interest Law Organization,...

Kellie Mannette has been dedicated to defending the rights of the accused her entire career. As a law student at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, she was the co-president of the Innocence Project. While interning at the North Carolina Center on Actual Innocence, Ms. Mannette investigated post-conviction claims of innocence. Additionally, Ms. Mannette interned at the Wake County Public Defender’s Office, assisting in the representation of indigent individuals in district court. Ms. Mannette defended juveniles in delinquency proceedings while completing the Juvenile Justice Clinic. After graduating from law school, Ms. Mannette joined the Fair Trial Initiative as an...

Thomas W. Smothers offers the necessary expertise to negotiate with the State regarding your charges. When prosecutors are forced to deal with our firm, they realize that we have what it takes to go to trial. Keeping this in mind, Attorney Smothers is always able to negotiate from a position of strength.

Corey McManus was born in Monroe, North Carolina where he attend Monroe High School and graduated in 1994. Corey attended the University of North Carolina Central in Durham, North Carolina on an academic scholarship. At North Carolina Central he majored in Political Science and minored in English and graduated with Honors in 1998. He then attended Law School at Campbell University as a Campbell Law Scholar and Robert A. Dyer Scholar. While there, Corey was a Campbell Law Observer Case Writer, competitor in the Judge Conrad Duberstein National Bankruptcy Moot Court Competition, North Carolina Academy of Trial Lawyers member and...

Providing DWI/DUI, Criminal, and Traffic Representation in Wake County, North Carolina.