Ararat Lawyers

Throughout his 28 year legal career, Chris has been committed to providing exceptional legal representation and personalized legal services to each and every client he represents. In every case, Chris is dedicated to using his experience, skill and knowledge as a trial attorney to help his clients obtain the compensation they are entitled to under the law.

North Carolina native Ryan D. Stump is an accomplished Estate Planning lawyer with over 13 years of experience in the legal profession and a passion for helping clients achieve peace of mind knowing their family, wealth, and assets are protected for the future. Ryan handles a wide range of Estate Planning matters, from Wills and Trusts to Powers of Attorney and estate tax planning. Whether you want to create a comprehensive Estate plan, draft a Will to ensure your assets are disbursed per your wishes, establish a Trust for your loved ones, or ensure your affairs will be properly managed in...

Pamela Williams is a North Carolina native who worked as a paralegal before attending law school at the University of South Carolina. She now practices civil litigation, family law, personal injury, and appellate matters at Arnold & Smith, PLLC. She is licensed to practice law in North and South Carolina.

NCDRC Certified Superior Court Mediator

Stephen M. Bennett is a partner at Arnold & Smith, PLLC, practicing in the Charlotte area. He focuses on General Civil Litigation, Business Law, Estate Planning, and Land Use/Zoning. He is well-versed in various legal issues businesses may encounter, including forming new business entities, drafting contracts, and handling business litigation.

Henry took a delayed path to entering the practice of law. After college Henry worked in the furniture industry for almost nine years. During that time he worked progressively as a staff engineer, plant manager, and head of engineering. In his final position prior to leaving the furniture industry Henry was a member of the Steering Committee for a corporation with over 250 employees and was responsible for overseeing the corporation’s IT Department, Product Development Department, and continuous efficiency improvement initiative. Henry decided in 2003 to pursue a different career as an attorney and joined Young,...

I am Board Certified by the National Board of Trial Advocacy (NBTA) in Civil Trial Law. NBTA certification is the only National Board recognized by the United States Supreme Court. This certification requires recertification every fie years. I have recertified for this qualification twice, the last time was in 2022. I am also AV rated by Martindale-Hubbell. It is the highest level of peer rating a lawyer can earn. It means your legal peers think you have professional excellence for your legal knowledge, communication skills and ethical standards. I am also a member of the American Board of Trial Advocates which...

A self-described 'nerd,' Matt is well-versed in economics, physics, chemistry, engineering, construction, technology, medicine, and more. Once a student with near perfect SAT and LSAT exam scores, Matt double-majored in economics and philosophy at The College of William & Mary, later becoming an economics scholar in Germany while obtaining his J.D. at the George Mason University School of Law. As an attorney, Matt has harnessed his love of learning into an exceptional ability to master each intricacy of his complex cases, and to easily go toe-to-toe with every expert witness he encounters.

These unique talents have served Matt's clients very...

Growing up as the son of a Marine Corps Aviator and a public school teacher, John W. Cox saw firsthand how his parents dedicated their lives to helping others. From defending those who can’t protect themselves, to teaching children for the betterment of themselves and society, he couldn’t help but be affected by his parent’s zeal to serve. Thanks to the support of his parents, John pursued a career defending others according to the letter of the law. He received his Juris Doctorate from North Carolina Central University in 1997. John subsequently passed the bar exam in 1997 and opened...

Putting You First, Elizabeth G. Grimes is Managing Partner at Grimes Yeoman, PLLC, representing plaintiffs in cases involving serious bodily injuries & traumatic brain injuries. Mrs. Grimes received her B.A. in Economics from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill in December of 1985, graduating a semester early, & received her law degree from Wake Forest University School of Law in 1989. While in law school, Mrs. Grimes was a member of the Wake Forest Law Review & Moot Court Board, & a quarter-finalist in the Wake Forest Law School First Year Moot Court Competition, & recipient of the...

I am an experienced and dedicated attorney serving Alamance and Guilford Counties. My practice areas include criminal defense representation for DWI, Traffic Matters, Felonies and Misdemeanors. Additionally, I represent clients with Divorce, Separation, Child Custody and Support, Domestic Violence, and 50 B/C law matters.

I received a B.A. in History from the University of North Carolina at Wilmington in 1998. My J.D. was earned from Campbell University in 2006. Following Law School, I was an Assistant District Attorney in Alamance County, North Carolina for four years. I then opened my own law firm.

At Brad Buchanan Attorney...

As a practicing business attorney in Charlotte, NC, I provide guidance for protecting businesses from possible legal exposure, helping businesses grow stronger, and protecting them once a legal issue arises. The son of a Lebanese immigrant with his own small business, I understand the need for competent and affordable business law assistance.

I have experience dealing in entity formation, contract formation and disputes, wage and hour disputes, other employment disputes, preparing employment documents to protect businesses on the front-end, trademark registration/searches, copyright infringement assistance, and several other areas.

Alex Riddle is a dedicated personal injury lawyer and partner at Riddle & Riddle Injury Lawyers, where she passionately advocates for clients across North Carolina. Following in the footsteps of her father, firm founder Gene Riddle, Alex joined the firm in 2020 and was elevated to partner in 2025. A lifelong North Carolinian, Alex earned her B.A. in History with Distinction from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. She then attended the University of North Carolina School of Law, graduating in 2020. Immediately upon passing the North Carolina State Bar, Alex joined Riddle & Riddle, bringing her commitment to...

Elizabeth grew up in Aiken, South Carolina, watching her father, a plaintiff’s attorney, represent good people who were taken advantage of by large corporations. She connected with this mission and felt called from an early age to stand up for these hardworking people and give them the quality legal representation they deserve. After obtaining her undergraduate degree from Florida State University and her law degree from Florida State University College of Law, Elizabeth returned to South Carolina to follow in her father’s footsteps. She chose personal injury law because she has seen firsthand how a good personal injury attorney can make...

“I understand that this is more than just a case for my clients; it is their life and their family’s livelihood, and I take that very seriously.” Marcus Spake is known for aggressively representing his clients, and for ensuring that their best interests are protected at all times. During his career, Marcus has represented both injured workers and defendants in workers’ compensation claims, giving him a vast depth of knowledge of both sides of the law. He firmly believes that every injured person deserves competent and effective counsel and uses his experience to his client’s absolute advantage. Marcus Spake is a...

Alonzo McAlpine Alston, Esq. was born in Savannah, GA, is a loving and proud father, dedicated husband, and client-focused and service oriented attorney. Attorney Alston was born to entrepreneurial parents who were heavily involved in the civil rights movement, and is a product of their strong influential guidance to purpose his life and endeavors on social equality, cause-driven activism, and self-reliance with a focus on empowerment through community building. These values have also influenced his desire to espouse integrity, maintain ownership of his work-product, and develop clear communications. Attorney Alston said, "[O]ne of the primary reasons I became and attorney was...

My main area of practice is Immigration Law. I am the son of Immigrants. However, I also, handle uncontested divorce, criminal defense for most misdemeanors, name changes and legitimation, personal injury and workers compensation.

Michelle Abbott is a Charlotte, NC criminal defense attorney. Michelle is licensed to practice law in North Carolina State Court and in Federal Court in the Western District of North Carolina. Her primary areas of practice are criminal defense and traffic. Michelle handles a broad range of misdemeanors and felonies, including, but not limited to: sex crimes, drug crimes, theft crimes, and violent crimes.


She works at Gilles Law, PLLC. Gilles Law client reviews can be read here: https://gilleslaw.com/client-testimonials/ Michelle believes in providing each client with thorough representation, zealous advocacy, and personalized services, tailored to each client's unique situation.

I am an attorney at Beyer & Lippert in Morganton, North Carolina, representing clients primarily in Burke, Caldwell, and Catawba Counties. I primarily practice criminal defense (felonies, misdemeanors, and traffic violations), family law (custody, child support, divorce, etc.), juvenile law (DJJ/DSS), small claims (evictions, monies owed, etc.), & domestic law (DVPO/50(c), victim representation). I am a Charlotte native who graduated from Elon University School of Law summa cum laude. Prior to law school, I attended Appalachian State University where I received a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice. After graduating, I began my legal career as a superior court legal assistant with...

Mr. Thompson is a native Floridian having grown up in Fort Lauderdale. After graduating with honors from Fort Lauderdale Christian School, he was offered placement in the Honors Program at the University of Georgia. Following receipt of his undergraduate degree in Political Science, he remained in Athens and received his law degree from the University of Georgia School of Law. During that time he was also an officer in the Demosthenian Society in which he focused on oral argument and debate.

Prior to relocating to North Carolina, Mr. Thompson practiced a wide array of litigation in both Georgia and Florida, including...

Kara Goodman is a dedicated, experienced, and compassionate lawyer who practices in the area of family law. As a child of parents that divorced before she was 10 years of age, Kara developed a passion for family law at an early age. She obtained her Bachelor of Arts Degree from the University of North Carolina at Asheville, majoring in psychology and minoring in sociology. Kara ultimately settled in Charlotte, North Carolina where she obtained her Juris Doctorate and began her legal career. Kara spent her first two years of practice with a small law firm in Concord, North Carolina, spending...

I am licensed to practice law in North Carolina, South Carolina & Tennessee. I am an attorney with McGrath & Spielberger, PLLC, where my areas of practice include real property (including loss mitigation and foreclosure defense) and business law. I received a Juris Doctor from Campbell University School of Law and a Master of Business Administration from Campbell University Lundy-Fetterman School of Business, as part of the joint JD/MBA program. I attended North Carolina State University and graduated with a B.A. in Psychology. Currently, I am pursuing an LL.M. (Master of Laws) postgraduate law degree in...

My legal and business experiences enable me to offer clients a broad spectrum of professional services from the unique perspective of someone who is both an attorney and an entrepreneur.

Navigating the legal process, whether civil or criminal, can be daunting and uncertain. Dmitriy Panchenko recognizes these challenges and places a strong emphasis on maintaining open, prompt communication with his clients, providing step-by-step guidance to ease their concerns. He firmly believes that every case deserves a thorough defense and that each client is entitled to unwavering dedication and personal attention. Dmitriy’s academic journey began at UNC Charlotte, where he graduated Magna Cum Laude with a degree in Finance. He went on to earn his law degree Cum Laude from the Charlotte School of Law, finishing in the top 10% of his...

I am a Supervising Attorney at Lively Law Firm specializing in immigration law.

The unknown is a scary place for any individual, especially for a person whose family is undergoing a significant transition through divorce, a child custody dispute, a domestic violence situation, or even a hopeful adoption. Although I cannot tell you exactly what course your situation will take, I can help you navigate the legal system while addressing each concern and question. I strive to educate my clients about the law so they can make informed decisions about what is most precious in their lives. Whether you are a business owner employing multiple individuals and supplying income for even...

Attorney Michael Litrenta brings the unique experience of working for years as both a prosecutor and then as a defense attorney. He has worked in multiple different state and federal courts on a variety of different matters.

Bringing extensive courtroom experience to Litrenta Law, Michael knows the best offense is always a good defense. He is a dedicated advocate for his clients and has won Avvo’s Client’s Choice Award. Attorney Litrenta is committed to listening and understanding each of his client’s needs and is determined to secure the best outcome possible.

Attorney Litrenta began his career as a prosecutor before he transitioned...

Shepard Smith is a managing attorney for the Charlotte office of Stewart Law Offices. Born and raised in Charlotte, Shepard became a lawyer because he wanted to be able to advocate for those who found themselves in overwhelming legal circumstances.

As the youngest of five siblings, Shepard learned the value of hard work at an early age while spending summers earning money as a landscaper and warehouse laborer. He knows how important a paycheck can be to a family, and how an injury can forever change a person’s life.

Shepard brings a unique perspective to personal injury cases and workers’ compensation claims...

Mike is graduate of Davidson College and the University of North Carolina School of Law, and spent the early years of his legal career at a pair of global law firms representing the nation’s largest banks and corporations, public officials, and government officers and entities. Mike’s commercial litigation experience includes complex contractual disputes, business torts, warranty claims, employment issues, and white-collar investigations and defense. A Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Officer before attending law school, Mike also represents public officers and government agencies in liability defense, employment, and other police issues. In 2015, Mike was inducted into the American Society of Legal Advocates...

Ben Hefferon is a highly rated divorce and family law attorney with extensive experience in handling cases related to divorce, equitable distribution, child custody, visitation, and spousal support. A graduate of North Carolina Central School of Law with High Honors, Ben is committed to achieving favorable outcomes for his clients through both court proceedings and negotiations. His dedication to the field and his ability to navigate complex family law issues make him a valuable advocate for those he represents.

I founded Ellis Family Law, PLLC in 2008 with a clear mission to deliver top-notch legal representation to individuals in North Carolina grappling with complex family law issues. Since then, my firm has successfully advocated for numerous husbands, wives, children, grandparents, and other family members in courts throughout the state. Our efforts have been recognized with awards from both national and local entities including Super Lawyers, Martindale Hubbell, North Carolina’s Legal Elite, NC Lawyer's Weekly Power List, NC Leaders in the Law, and the BBB, among others. As a North Carolina Board Certified Specialist in family law with over two decades...

I practice personal injury law focusing primarily on motor vehicle accidents, motorcycle accidents, trucking accidents, construction accidents, and slip and falls. After many years of representing injured clients, I have have a unique understanding of the difficulties and stresses an accident and injury can place on a person's life. I am very passionate about helping my clients through these difficult times and I fight to ensure all of my clients are fairly compensated for their losses. My goal is to provide all of my clients with a boutique law firm experience - I purposefully keep my client list low so...

People turn to an attorney when they need help dealing with a problem that has become too large for them to handle on their own. Every day, I see clients in difficult situations they did not create, dealing with pain they didn’t have before, trying to pay for medical expenses they can’t afford. And all the while, a large corporation or auto insurance company is trying to minimize what the victim is going through.

As an attorney licensed in North Carolina, Virginia, and Washington, D.C., Brad represents personal injury clients in cases throughout the Mid-Atlantic States. He began his legal career...

Mr. Spain was admitted to the State Bar in 2013 and practiced as an estates and business law attorney prior to joining BHSPA in 2018. Jason focuses on Estate Planning and Probate law, helping clients plan for their family’s future and to assist clients in administering the estate of a loved one. He also is proficient in helping small business owners set up business succession plans that will allow their companies to be passed on to the next generation and help provide financial security for their families in the event of retirement, death, or disability. ...

Originally from Grand Haven, Michigan, Andrew Bullard attended the University of Michigan, graduating with a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Political Science. He later attended Michigan State University College of Law and obtained his J.D. in 2010. Andrew Bullard primarily practices estate planning, estate administration, special needs law and guardianships at the firm. Andrew’s experience includes assisting individuals and families as they navigate the process of planning and administering estates and trusts. Additionally, he guides fiduciaries through their duties in the probate process and helps families plan for the care of loved ones with long-term special needs. Andrew takes...

Sara Barlowe is an associate attorney at Bagwell Holt Smith where she practices in the Firm’s Family Law department. Sara joined the Firm in July of 2020 shortly after relocating to the Research Triangle area from Astoria, Queens with her family and their two cats. While in New York, Sara worked as an Assistant District Attorney with the Bronx District Attorney’s office where she focused primarily on domestic violence and special victims cases with the exception of a year-long stint in the office’s Special Investigations Division where she handled long-term wiretap investigations. Sara received her Juris Doctor, cum laude, from Benjamin...

Barri Hilton Payne was born in High Point, North Carolina and grew up in Davidson County. She attended the University of North Carolina at Charlotte where she majored in Religious studies and Sociology. Barri practiced for the last twelve years as a founding partner in the firm Brock, Payne & Meece, P.A. before opening her own solo law and mediation practice in 2013. Barri was involved with the Holderness Moot Court while in law school at UNC and earned her law degree in 1999. She has practiced in Durham, North Carolina since that time and concentrates her practice on...

I am a Board Certified Specialist in Immigration Law. I am fluent in Spanish. I assist families, businesses, and individuals in finding solutions to their immigration problems.

Chris Hyland is an experienced personal injury lawyer and managing partner at Hyland, Padilla, & Fowler, PLLC. He is committed to protecting the rights of injury victims in Raleigh and Durham. Chris attended the College of Wooster for his undergraduate degree and earned his Juris Doctor from Campbell University School of Law. Active in the legal community, he is a current member and former Durham County Bar Association president. He is also a part of the North Carolina Advocates for Justice, the Fourteenth Judicial District, the North Carolina Bar Association, and more. For his dedication and success, he was awarded...

Shelia Huggins is a North Carolina licensed attorney with almost 20 years of experience in working with businesses in a variety of capacities. Her extensive experience includes business formation, contracts, government relations, entertainment law, and social media. She also has a YouTube channel with free information about contracts, legal issues, and scams and frauds. Her YouTube channel has over 500 videos available to the public. You can view it at https://www/youtube.com/mslegalista. Shelia is a former adjunct professor at North Carolina Central University where she taught Entertainment and Business Law, and she has spoken at numerous events including the Long Leaf Pine Film...