Brasstown Lawyers

I am a solo practitioner in Asheville, North Carolina. I serve Buncombe, Henderson, Transylvania and the surrounding Western North Carolina counties. I focus my practice primarily on family law related issues, including divorce, child custody, child support, domestic violence, and criminal law related issues including traffic and juvenile matters.

Thomas Amburgey is a board-certified specialist in state criminal law. As a former prosecutor with the Office of the District Attorney for Buncombe County, he handled thousands of cases, ranging from minor offenses like speeding tickets to capital offenses like first-degree murder. That experience gives him an immeasurable advantage in the courtroom.

Because pleas are often made and charges can be dismissed, many criminal law attorneys only experience a handful of trials in their entire careers. Thomas has successfully completed hundreds of bench trials and dozens of jury trials from both sides of the aisle. Regardless of your charge, Thomas Amburgey...

I'm an attorney practicing in Western North Carolina and licensed to practice in North Carolina, South Carolina, Texas, Tennessee, and Arkansas. I primarily focus on transactional law and estate planning. I'm originally from Georgia, but went to Wake Forest for Law School. While at Wake Forest, I was involved in the Moot Court, Public Interest Law Organization, Phi Alpha Delta, and the Federalist Society. My main practice areas are estate planning, business law, trademarks, and family law. I am a guardian ad litem in several of the counties here in Western North Carolina.

Janet Amburgey is a Board Certified Specialist in Family Law. Since graduating from Appalachian School of Law in 2008 she has focused her practice exclusively on family law matters, assisting people through family chaos, ensuring the protection of their rights and property and helping to blend and expand families. She has represented clients in divorce and separation with issues surrounding child custody, child support, alimony, and in property settlement matters. She also assists families through adoption, name changes and protects parents and children in both domestic violence matters and DSS matters. Janet believe’s problem-solving is a primary responsibility...

At the family dinner table while I was growing up, we enjoyed vigorous argument and debate as much as the food. Even as a child, I loved finding out all of the facts. Going to law school seemed a natural choice. After graduating, I immediately headed to New York to work for a large, international law firm. I learned a tremendous amount. But something, or someone, was missing. You. And me. I realized that I wanted to be collaborating with my clients, that all those facts, all the research, all the arguments, even the law, only made...

James O. Rice, Jr. is an experienced criminal defense attorney in Asheville, who can provide you with the strong legal representation you need to fight the charges against you. When your future is on the line, it’s critical that you have someone on your side who will fight zealously for your freedom. Attorney Rice has assisted numerous clients against criminal charges, and can offer you his expertise and resources in order to help you develop a solid legal defense against the prosecution. Attorney Rice has experience with a variety of criminal law matters in North Carolina, including but not...

Time spent as an insurance claims adjuster made me realize that people need advocates to fight for them, and to fight for what matters most. Being on both sides of the claims process now as a personal injury attorney has taught me valuable information about how insurance companies will try to get you to settle for less than what you deserve. Whether it’s a personal injury attorney you need, medical malpractice, wrongful death, auto accident, workers compensation, or a matter involving civil litigation, my mission to get you what you are owed under the eyes of the law and...

Gary Cash has over 35 years of legal experience, including 25 spent as a North Carolina District Court Judge. He maintains a private mediation and arbitration practice with offices located in Asheville North Carolina. Gary was first elected to the bench in 1986 and most recently served as Buncombe County’s Chief District Court Judge, a position he held since 2002. Prior to serving as judge, Gary worked in Asheville as a general practitioner in the private practice of law. Gary attended Davidson College, during which time he was an International Rotary Scholar at the University of Meunster in...

Anna is a North Carolina native who has been practicing law for more than 23 years. She received a B.A. in English from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill in 1991, and her law degree from George Washington University in 1994. She first became licensed to practice law in Virginia in 1994, followed by Washington, D.C. in 1995.

In 1996, she returned to North Carolina and has been practicing here ever since. She concentrates her practice in the areas of Workers' Compensation and Social Security Disability.

Anna is rated AV Preeminent by Martindale-Hubbell®, the facilitator of a peer review ratings...

Over 28 years of experience representing clients and assisting them in resolving their legal matters. We have the knowledge skill and expertise to tackle even the most complex cases. I understand that being involved in legal matters and having to call an attorney can be a confusing and daunting task. We are here to assist you, to answer your questions and to guide you through the legal process and to make it as easy and quick as possible.

We will not give you advice that merely prolongs the matter and increases your costs. I recognize...

Rod is a cannabis business law attorney. He represents legal cannabis businesses through-out the world and is editor and chief writer of the Kight On Cannabis law blog (www.kightoncannabis.com). Rod is the author of “Cannabis Business Law-What You Need to Know”, published by Aspatore Books in August 2015. Rod is on the advisory board for the American Journal of Endocannabinoid Medicine, for which he also writes a legal column. Rod is frequently quoted on cannabis matters by trade publications and major media outlets including the Wall Street Journal, Time, Politico, and Business Insider. Additionally, Rod has been listed in MG...

Scott Dillin grew up in Asheville, North Carolina and is a Dean's List graduate of the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. He completed his Juris Doctor and MBA from Campbell University. Scott clerked for the Honorable Judge Richard Elmore of the Court of Appeals, and worked for several years as an Assistant District Attorney where he learned the policies and procedures of that office and their approach to a wide variety of criminal and traffic charges. He has personally tried hundreds of assaults, DWI, and traffic cases, and brings the benefit of this experience to his clients.

Joe Ferikes began his practice in 1974 in Atlanta, Georgia, representing such entities as the County of Dekalb. In 1983, Joe and his wife moved back to their hometown of Asheville to continue his law practice and raise their family. He has been a private practice trial lawyer since 1981, and was a solo practitioner until forming Ferikes & Bleynat in 2001.

Joe’s representative clients include the Towns of Woodfin and Fletcher, North Carolina, as well as the ABC Boards for Fletcher, Woodfin and Black Mountain. Joe has been actively involved in the Greek community and has coached youth sports for...

I finished law school in 2005 and immediately opened my own firm in Raleigh, North Carolina. I began my practice taking criminal cases in North Carolina state courts, with matters ranging from simple speeding tickets up to high level felonies. My practice has been a success because I care deeply for my clients, I consistently get them fantastic results, and I create fee structures that people can actually afford. Over my career, I have taught several seminars to other attorneys on how to properly defend criminal and traffic cases, with a significant emphasis on teaching defense of...

Once Anthony graduated law school he was offered a position with the Cook County State’s Attorney’s Office in Chicago, Illinois as an Assistant State’s Attorney. In that position, he was able to gain valuable courtroom experience handling approximately 10-30 hearings a day, every day, for 18 months. As part of his duties, Anthony was assigned to the Child Protective Services Division. In that capacity, he was responsible for handling serious cases of child abuse and neglect. From initial emergency custody hearings through terminating parental rights, Anthony fought to ensure that children were not left in the...

Andrew D. Atherton practices Elder and Special Needs Law with McGuire, Wood & Bissette, P.A., where his practice focuses on developing and implementing comprehensive personal estate plans, assisting clients in navigating the estate administration and probate process, advising clients on how to deal with the costs of long-term care, Veterans Administration Benefits, Medicare, Medicaid, guardianship and Special Needs Trusts. Mr. Atherton completed a clerkship with the Kentucky Supreme Court. He earned his undergraduate degree in Business Economics from Western Kentucky University and law degree from the Salmon P. Chase College of Law at Northern Kentucky University. He...

Melody J. King is an experienced litigator and negotiator in Family Law where she focuses her practice on child custody and child support, spousal support, equitable distribution (property division), and divorce. In addition to litigation, Melody has significant experience in the drafting of premarital and postmarital agreements, as well as Separation and Property Settlement Agreements. Coming from a large law firm, Melody decided to open her own firm exclusively practicing in the area of family law. Melody works closely with clients to determine their specific needs and goals and to make difficult family law cases manageable for her clients, with...

Brian is a Western North Carolina native, having been born and raised in Asheville. He attended Enka High School and then UNC-Chapel Hill for college. Brian attended Wake Forest University School of Law. After passing the Bar Exam, Brian practiced law in the Raleigh area, focusing his practice on serious personal injury, catastrophic injury cases, and wrongful death cases, for almost 20 years. He then moved his family and his law practice back to Asheville. Brian is an aggressive litigator who enjoys trying cases in the courtroom. He is very direct with his clients and with opposing counsel, does not...

Susan Waller Ramos is a graduate of Emory University, where she earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology and Spanish, and St. Mary’s University School of Law. She is licensed to practice law in North Carolina, Texas, and New Mexico (currently inactive), and began practicing immigration law in 2003. Ms. Ramos is fluent in Spanish and assists individuals, families, and employers in connection with assessing available U.S. immigration options. Ms. Ramos’ practice includes preparing and filing individual, family-based, and employment-based petitions, immigrant and nonimmigrant visa applications, and waivers of inadmissibility. She assists with complex consular processing...

Margaret S. "Meg" Westall anchors iTicket in Western North Carolina, handling traffic matters in Buncombe and Madison Counties. One of Attorney Hatley’s oldest friends, Meg has helped our law firm expand all the way to the beautiful Blue Ridge Parkway. Prior to joining iTicket.law, Meg worked in a small Asheville-based firm where her practice focused on estate and trust planning and administration. Advising fiduciaries and neutralizing conflict in matters of administration has afforded her a no-nonsense approach to technical problem solving. Meg is also involved with the Pisgah Legal Services Mountain Area Volunteer Lawyer program, for which she assists low-income...

Ana S. Nuñez practices in both our Criminal Defense and our Immigration practice areas. She was recruited from the Public Defender’s office in Wake County. Being an immigrant herself, she understands the importance of having an advocate in your corner when you need it the most. Fluent in Spanish, Ana serves on the Governor’s advisory council on Hispanic/Latino affairs, she has been named a Top 40 Under 40 Attorney by the National Trial Lawyers, and she was recognized with the Citizen Lawyer Award by the NC Bar Association for exemplary public service to her community. She is a graduate of...

Anthony Tuorto graduated from Vermont Law School and completed an externship in the Buncombe County Public Defender's Office. Anthony served for several years as an Assistant District Attorney in Henderson, Polk, and Transylvania Counties before entering private practice. His years in the public sector have given him the opportunity to try hundreds of cases, spend countless hours in the courtroom, and develop expertise in all aspects of criminal law.

Senta Rhodes is an experienced trial attorney whose practice area focuses on personal injury and workers' compensation law. She is admitted to practice in North Carolina, The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, and The State of Maryland. Before Senta joined Grimes Teich Anderson LLP, she was an Assistant District Attorney in the Major Felony Crimes Division in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, where she prosecuted more than 20 jury trials and 50 bench trials.

Senta is experienced in gathering evidence, examining experts and negotiations, and she puts those skills to work for her clients who deserve justice for their injuries and protection from insurance companies....

A general law practice focusing on estate planning and elder law, veterans benefits, corporate planning, and issues affecting families. In addition to extensive litigation experience, Heidi is also an experienced mediator and collaborative law attorney. She focuses on helping clients resolve disputes amicably and provides mediation services to lawyers and private individuals.

Craig Associates, PC was founded by attorney Christopher M. Craig to support the administrative and legal needs of growing families & businesses. Estate planning and the laws of inheritance are complex, so we can help simplify the process to ensure your end-of-life preferences, including trusts & wills, are handled effectively. Chris Craig sees clients across Buncombe County, convenient to Biltmore Forest, Black Mountain, Hendersonville, Highlands, Cashiers & other communities in Western NC. The practice provides estate law services, as well as adoption and small business law services. Our proactive approach empowers you to secure and safeguard your most precious assets:...

BIOGRAPHY
Susan earned a B.A. in Psychology at Southern Methodist Universtiy in Dallas, Texas and went on to attend Loyola University New Orleans, School of Law, graduating in the top of her 2003 law school class. Susan began her legal training during law school working as a law clerk in the civil insurance defense and criminal practice areas.

Following licensure by the Louisiana State Bar in 2003, she began a private law practice in New Orleans where she focused exclusively on Criminal Law. She has gained extensive trial experience working for over 15 years as a litigator the private and public...

Bill Cannon is a native of Leesburg, Georgia and has been practicing law for more than 30 years. He focuses his practice in the area of civil litigation and has extensive experience in complex litigation. Bill enjoys working closely with his clients in finding innovative solutions to the challenges they face. He has a keen interest in professionalism and has been a speaker for orientations on professionalism at law schools. Bill is an author of a variety of professional articles and has made many presentations on professionalism in the practice of law and the importance of the justice system.

Edward L. Bleynat, Jr. began his legal career by clerking for James G. Exum, Jr., then the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of North Carolina. He later went to work with a major Greensboro law firm in a general litigation practice, focusing on business litigation and tort law.

In 1995, Ed, his wife and children relocated to Asheville, North Carolina to continue his law practice and to raise their family in Western North Carolina, where Ed grew up. After Ed started his own firm in 1997, he and Joe Ferikes merged their practices into Ferikes & Bleynat, PLLC in 2001.

Ed...

I have practiced law since 2004, defending clients who were accused of everything from shoplifting to murder, trying more than 25 cases to a jury verdict. I have also represented clients in civil rights cases, personal injury, real estate, debt collection, divorce/custody, adult and child protective services, administrative adjudications, and appeals. My experience has given me a broad range of legal knowledge that I can readily adapt to new cases. I live in and love the mountains in the outskirts of Waynesville, Haywood County.

Family and relationships are so important to me and I know they are for you as well. It’s one of the reasons that, after practicing many types of law, I’ve settled into the areas of law that we all will eventually face: including end-of-life planning and estate administration. I know these are often difficult topics with challenging decisions for individuals and families, especially for adult children of elderly parents, the terminally ill or those who are in domestic partnerships not legally recognized as marriage under North Carolina law. My job is to provide you with clarity on the law and...

Jacob Ehrmann is the founding attorney at Montford Family Law. Formerly known as Ehrmann Law Office, Montford Family Law is the partnership of Jacob Ehrmann and Alex Gomes. The firm works exclusively in the area of family law. Jacob received his undergraduate degree in 1995 from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, where he graduated with honors in Public Policy Analysis with an emphasis on race and gender issues. Jacob then received his J.D. from the UNC School of Law in 1999. In 2000, Jacob began his legal career at Pisgah...

I have served as General Counsel to a Fortune 500 Company, Carnival Cruise Lines, Inc., and have practiced in both large and medium size law firms. I have also worked for and with State and Federal agencies in regulatory matters and litigation. As the in-house General Counsel for Carnival Cruise Lines, during its explosive growth period, I developed considerable expertise in all facets of corporate governance and management, including intellectual property, securities, anti-trust issues and every imaginable type of litigation and contractual matter. During this period major events, coordinated and directed through my Office, included Carnival's Initial Public Offering; the...

Attorney Bruce A. Elmore Jr. brings more than three decades of legal experience to his clients. His record includes record setting recoveries in counties throughout Western North Carolina.. Learn more about his firm’s commitment to pursuing a maximum recovery for you and your family.

Nick Benjamin is a former police officer, prosecutor and North Carolina Assistant Attorney General. He has practiced for nearly a decade in Asheville North Carolina. The majority of his time practicing law came as a prosecutor in Buncombe County, where he has prosecuted everything from speeding tickets to first degree murder. Nick left the Buncombe County District Attorney's Office in July 2022 (when he was focusing on violent crimes and firearms offenses) to start his own practice. In addition to an extensive criminal law background which includes over 300 bench trials and over 40 jury trials, Nick was an assistant...

Walter E. Daniels III
Attorney

Admissions
- Licensed to practice in North Carolina (2000) and Louisiana (2002).

- Admitted to practice in Federal District Court for the Western, Middle and Eastern Districts of North Carolina as well as the Fourth Circuit Court of Appeals.

Affiliations
- North Carolina State Bar Association - North Carolina Academy of Justice

- American Academy of Justice -28th Judicial Bar - American Bar Association

Education
Juris Doctorate, University of Alabama School of Law, 1999

International Law and Comparative Law, Fribourg University, Fribourg, Switzerland, Summer 1997

B.A., Politics, University of Alabama, 1994

Birthplace
Birmingham, Alabama 1972

Craig Law Firm, PLLC, provides legal services, including counsel; document and contract drafting, review, and enforcement; and negotiation and litigation assistance in State and Federal courts, in the following areas of law: Business Law: We work with small and medium-size business, including start-ups, in their formation, management, and transfer or dissolution. We work with sole proprietors, partnerships, limited liability companies (LLCs), and corporations (S or C designations, and "B" corporations). Real Estate Law: We work with property owners and occupiers in ownership, leasing, and use issues. We assist in developing lease, purchase or sale, and other agreements. We also work with title,...

My name is Tom Curry. I'm a partner at my firm Davis Curry Law where we specialize in Family Law, Criminal, Trademark, and Business law. I've specialized personally in Trademark and startup law for the past years while also assisting with Family and other cases. As an entrepreneur I've worked with dozens of small and medium businesses on optimizing business structure, terms, contracts, and agreements. When not practicing, I love playing with anything with an engine.