Sampson County Family Lawyers

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.

*Education* Ric received a Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering from the Honors Program at the School of Engineering at North Carolina State University in Raleigh (1973). He received his Juris Doctor from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill (1977). *Specialized Training* Ric has augmented his training in advocacy and mediation. In 1996 he was certified to conduct mediated settlement conferences in Superior Court Civil actions. In 1999 he was certified to conduct mediation of equitable distribution and other family financial cases in District Court actions. In 1999 he also completed a professional intensive training program by the National Institute for...

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...

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,...

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...

David has been a trusted advisor to businesses, individuals and families since 1990 in a wide range of legal practice areas. This breadth of experience brings depth and to his advice and informs his decision making across all his areas of practice. David spent 10 years practicing business, family law, estate planning and probate in Seattle, WA and then attended the Georgetown School of Law where he obtained a Master of Laws Degree (LL.M) in Taxation with honors. He is included in Best Lawyers in America Trust and Estates Section.

David has represented and is currently representing clients is a wide...

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.

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...

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.

The Law Offices of David Hinson is a general practice law firm focusing primarily on family law, including collaborative divorce law, in Raleigh, North Carolina. The Law Offices of David Hinson provides high-quality, cost-efficient, effective legal services to protect your rights and help you navigate the challenges and complexities of your legal needs. Whether you are facing divorce, separation, child custody or child support disputes, or simply have questions about your divorce or custody issue, call the Law Offices of David Hinson to schedule a consultation and learn more about how you can put our experience and dedication to...

Family law attorney specializing in divorce, legal separation, property division, spousal support, child custody and visitation, child support, domestic violence, annulment, and modification.

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.

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,...

Foil Law Offices is a law firm specializing in family and juvenile law, serving Durham, Orange, Alamance, and Chatham counties since 1976. Foil Law Offices has offices in Durham and Hillsborough North Carolina. The attorneys at Foil Law Offices practice law relating to marriage, divorce, alimony, child custody (including grandparent custody) and support, equitable distribution, enforcement of support, domestic violence, legitimation, and adoption. Foil Law Offices has successfully represented clients at the North Carolina Court of Appeals and the North Carolina Supreme Court.

Eva Freeman was born in upstate New York and raised in Chapel Hill, North Carolina. She earned her Bachelor of Arts in English from the University of North Carolina at Greensboro, where she was a member of the Phi Beta Kappa and Sigma Tau Delta honor societies. Eva consistently made the Dean's List and Chancellor's List, graduating summa cum laude with a 4.0 GPA. After obtaining her paralegal certificate from Duke University, she worked as a paralegal in family law, where she discovered her passion for helping clients navigate challenging situations. Eva then pursued her Juris Doctor at The University...

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...

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...

Scott has lived in North Carolina all his life. He attended N.C State with hopes of becoming a scientist and then decided to study politics and philosophy. Scott graduated with highest honors in 1990 with double-major in political science and philosophy and for a brief time he considered graduate school in philosophy to be followed by a career teaching.

However, while at N.C. State he took a part-time job at a law office that did family law and quickly decided to go to law school and come back to that office and practice family law in Raleigh. In 1994 he graduated...

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...

Divorce and family law attorney, James Tyler Brooks, represents residents of Raleigh, Cary, Apex and Durham, North Carolina in all aspects of divorce including: absolute divorce, spousal support (e.g., post separation support and alimony), child custody, child support and property division (equitable distribution).

Associate Attorney Breeden Law Office · Full-time Dec 2022 - Present · 1 yr 4 mosDec 2022 - Present · 1 yr 4 mos Senior Compliance Associate Fairview® Investment Services May 2021 - Nov 2022 · 1 yr 7 mos Law Clerk; Public Defender Allen County Public Defender · Full-time Aug 2020 - Dec 2020 · 5 mos Fort Wayne, Indiana, United States Law Clerk; Public Defender Marion County Public Defender’s Agency May 2018 - Aug 2020 · 2 yrs 4 mos Indianapolis, Indiana Contracts Team Associate Government Acquisitions · Part-time Jan 2020 - Aug 2020 · 8 mosJ Indiana, United States

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...

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.

Sydney J. Batch, J.D., M.S.W. is one of the founding partners of Batch Poore & Williams, PC. Sydney Batch grew up in Chapel Hill, North Carolina. As a triple tarheel, Sydney received her Bachelor of Arts in English, a Master of Social Work and a Juris Doctor from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. The combination of her dual degree in law and social work provide her with a unique understanding of the often intersecting worlds of law and social work. Her primary practice areas are family law and child protective services Sydney is...

Carlton Willis is licensed by the North Carolina State Bar and limits his practice to family law. The focus of his practice is child custody, child support, alimony, equitable distribution of marital property, issues related to domestic violence and other legal issues arising from separation and divorce. Carlton was born in eastern North Carolina and grew up on a tobacco farm where he began working by the age of six. He graduated from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill with a double major in psychology and communications. After working for UNC Hospitals he...

A natural born problem solver, attorney Hugh Bailey is an accomplished trial attorney with a proven record of successful results on behalf of clients. His practice includes advocating for clients in a wide variety of matters affecting the family unit, including divorce, child custody and support, spousal support, equitable distribution, domestic violence, and pre and post nuptial agreements. Hugh’s effectiveness in and out of the courtroom is derived in part from both a broad and deep background in high-stakes cases involving individuals, businesses, and government entities. However, it is Hugh’s approach and commitment to helping people that serves as a cornerstone...