Nakina Lawyers

I spent seven years at the Hoke County District Attorney’s Office, where my primary focus was on prosecuting serious felony cases. These cases ranged from domestic violence and drug trafficking to felony assault, child sexual assault, child abuse, rape, and murder. I have a wealth of trial experience and have devoted my career to resolving high-conflict cases. My commitment, thorough preparation, and empathy are clearly reflected in my work. I am a native of Hoke County and maintain strong connections within my community. I graduated from Meredith College with a Bachelor’s degree in Psychology and obtained my Law Degree from Campbell...

Michelle Dewkett-Kochhar found her passion for workers’ compensation law dabbling in personal injury, workers’ compensation, and criminal defense law after graduating from law school. Dewkett-Kochhar graduated from Campbell University’s Norman Adrian Wiggins School of Law in 2019, and passed the North Carolina Bar Exam that same summer. A northerner at heart, Dewkett-Kochhar grew up in Rhinebeck, New York. She first moved to Raleigh to attend North Carolina State University, where she received a B.A. in International Studies and a minor in Spanish. While at law school, Dewkett-Kochhar served as a research assistant and interned with the Wake County Public Defender’s Office, a personal...

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.

Timothy D. Edwards has been practicing Family Law in Fayetteville, NC since 1995. He was raised in North Carolina and graduated from Richmond Senior High School in 1988. He then studied at Liberty University where he was a competitive member of the top nationally ranked Debate Team. He then received his Law Degree from Campbell University in 1995. He joined the law firm of Blackwell & Edwards upon graduation. His practice focuses on family law.

Attorney Matthew R. Plyler is a dedicated Fayetteville attorney focusing on serious personal injury. Mr. Plyler has been in practice since 1993 and is admitted to practice in North Carolina, as well as the U.S. Court of Appeals, Fourth Circuit and the U.S. District Court, Eastern District of North Carolina. More information about Attorney Plyler can be found by visiting www.plylerlaw.com or by calling Plyler Law Firm at (910) 248-4276.

The Law Offices of John Drew Warlick, P.A. provides client-focused, professional legal representation to people who have sustained serious injuries in car accidents and other personal injury accidents in the Jacksonville and Camp Lejeune area of coastal North Carolina. The attorneys at the Law Offices of John Drew Warlick handle a wide range of practice areas including car accidents, truck accidents, motorcycle accidents, drunk driving accidents, dog bites, medical malpractice, birth injuries, family law, Social Security disability, workers’ compensation, and family law. Being a long-established Jacksonville law firm, our attorneys have experience with the unique aspects of representing military personnel...

Mr. Dunn is an attorney at the law offices of Riddle & Brantley and brings a wealth of knowledge and resources to our legal team. With a number of courtroom victories and negotiated settlements to his credit, Donald is a valued member of our legal team.

As a Goldsboro native, Mr. Smith brings a wealth of knowledge to the law offices of Riddle & Brantley and has received numerous accolades within the legal community including being a recipient of the National Trial Lawyers To 40 Under 40 Award.

As an attorney at Maginnis Howard, Gibson focuses on being not just a legal advocate, but a trusted partner throughout each case. She understands that dealing with a legal issue can feel overwhelming, especially when coping with an injury or financial hardship. Her role is to shoulder the legal burden while keeping clients informed and empowered to make the best decisions for their future. What sets Gibson's practice apart is her commitment to clear communication and genuine care for each client's unique situation. Working with Gibson, clients can expect to understand: • Where their case stands • What options are available • The potential...

Family Law is my focus. Child Custody and all aspects of Divorce (including military divorce) are the bulk of what I do and I love it. I have the knowledge to get you to the best possible results available to you. In addition I take pride in making sure my clients know and understand what is happening in their case, because it is their life that is being impacted. I enjoy working as a team with my client to get the case successfully resolved.

I conduct residential and commercial real estate closings and transactions; draft real estate instruments, including contracts, deeds, notes, easements, leases, and more; and review and advise on real estate instruments and title matters.

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.

Joining Brent Adams & Associates in 2004, attorney Vance Jennings is now an owner/partner in the law firm. His practice mostly concentrates on Social Security Disability law, ERISA short and long-term disability claims, and private short and long-term disability claims. Attorney Vance is certified by the NC State Bar as a Board Certified Specialist in Social Security Disability law. Only a select number of attorneys receive this honor. He is a member of the North Carolina Advocates for Justice, the North Carolina Bar Association, the American Association for Justice, and the National Organization of Social Security Claimants’ Representatives. Vance speaks at...

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...

With a focus on personal injury litigation, Ms. Schertzinger is a member of the American Bar Association, North Carolina Bar Association, and the North Carolina Advocates for Justice and is a valued member of the legal team at the law offices of Riddle & Brantley.

*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...

J. Thomas West, Attorney at Law, graduated cum laude and ranked second in his graduating class from Campbell University School of Law. While in law school he received the Corpus Juris Secundum Award for outstanding scholastic achievement; Am Jur Book Awards for Contracts, Wills, Trusts, Federal Estate Taxation and Federal Gift Taxation; Campbell School of Law Academic Scholarship; was awarded the J. Shepherd Bryan Scholarship; was a candidate member of the Campbell Law Review, a member of Phi Alpha Delta Law Fraternity and a member of Phi Kappa Phi Honor Society. He performed his undergraduate studies at Campbell also, where...

Mr. Brantley is a co-founder and Partner at the law offices of Riddle & Brantley, LLP. With a proven track record obtained from representing thousands of clients throughout North Carolina, Christopher is a board-certified North Carolina State Bar Specialist in Workers’ Compensation law that is also a recipient of the prestigious Million Dollar Advocates Forum award. An honor provided to less than 1% of all trial lawyers in the United States that recognizes his achievement of obtaining a trial verdict, award or settlement in excess of $1 million or more.

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...

Whitney Hosey focuses her practice on commercial and residential real estate, estate and trust planning, and communication and privacy law. At Wake Forest, Whitney served as the Editor-in-Chief of the Journal of Business and Intellectual Property Law, and has published numerous articles with the Journal.

Whitney earned her B.A. in History and Government from the University of Virginia. After graduating, she worked as an advertising executive in New York City where she managed advertising campaigns for Lowes Home Improvement and J.P. Morgan Chase & Co. Whitney is a devoted UVA fan and enjoys reading.

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.

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.

Robert was born and raised in Jacksonville, NC. In 2011, he graduated from East Carolina University with a Bachelor of Arts in History. Robert continued his education at Thomas M. Cooley Law School and graduated with a Juris Doctorate in 2013. Robert enjoys history and remaining active in community service. Robert joined the King Law Firm in 2014 and practices in the areas of workers’ compensation, personal injury litigation, and social security disability.

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...