Purlear Lawyers

James J. Exum studied Juris Doctor (Law) at the University of North Carolina Chapel Hill. He has been licensed to practice law in North Carolina since 1990.

Erica Yarborough was born and raised in Davidson County, North Carolina. She attended Central Davidson High School and obtained her undergraduate degree from Appalachian State University. She then received her Juris Doctor from North Carolina Central University School of Law. Erica now focuses her practice on family law cases, including divorce, child custody, child support, alimony, domestic violence, and equitable distribution, in Mooresville, NC.

Taylor represents people charged with all types of crimes. She primarily focuses her work in state court, and in the last year alone defended a wide variety of cases ranging from speeding to assault with a deadly weapon.

Taylor also defends kids charged with crimes in juvenile court. She has helped young people charged with breaking or entering, larceny, possession of marijuana, injury to personal property, and more.

Additionally, she defends men and women accused of violating their federal supervised release or probation conditions in the Federal Western District of North Carolina. She also works with Chris Fialko on many...

Born in Charlotte, North Carolina, Attorney Rob Nye graduated from The Citadel with a B.A. in History (Honors) and then Widener University School of Law in Wilmington, Delaware, earning his Juris Doctorate. Before entering the private sector of practice, Rob served his country as an Infantry and JAG officer in the United States Army. He deployed with the 3rd Infantry Division in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom III and was awarded the Bronze Star Medal. While on active duty, Rob was lead counsel in over 30 trials, and gained invaluable experience zealously advocating for his clients. Rob has...

From the time I was a young girl, I always dreamed of opening my own business. My desire to learn more about business led me to attend Manhattan College for undergraduate school, where I majored in Finance and Managerial Science with a minor in Marketing. In college, I discovered my fascination with the law and realized that I wanted to build a career where I could work with clients directly and have the opportunity to help people when they need it most. I graduated from the school of business with my bachelor's degree one year early, and I immediately went...

Davidson College, B.S. 1975, Pre-Med
Program in Medical Sciences (PIMS) 1975-1977, Florida State University
Wake Forest University School of Law, J.D. 1980
Licensed to practice law in North Carolina since 1981 with 38 years of experience in personal injury
Member, Million Dollar Advocates Forum (limited to attorneys who have won million and multi-million dollar verdicts and settlements for their clients)
Member, North Carolina Advocates for Justice (formerly North Carolina Academy of Trial Lawyers)
Member, Association of Trial Lawyers of America
Member, North Carolina Bar Association
Member, Mecklenburg County Bar
NC Court of Appeals successful decision, Roush v. Kennon, 188 N.C.App. 570 (2008) (dental malpractice)
Editor, 2nd Edition, North Carolina...

Harrison A. Lord is the founder and managing member of Lord & Lindley, PLLC. His practice focuses on helping small businesses reduce their risks, collect the money owed them, and plan for a successful future. Harrison represents clients in commercial litigation and disputes of all sorts. In that role, he’s tried cases before judges and juries all over North Carolina. But first and foremost, Harrison is a problem solver. His focus is always on getting the best result for his clients, and helping them find the solution that works for them and their business. Sometimes...

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,...

In 2006, after having managed the Raleigh, North Carolina branch office of a large Atlanta, Georgia based law firm for several years, Brian Steed Tatum moved to Charlotte, North Carolina and started the Tatum Law Firm. After observing how customer service can become a second priority at a larger firm, Mr. Tatum started the Tatum Law Firm to serve clients who still desire and deserve excellent customer service.

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...

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...

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...

Throughout my career I have had the opportunity to advocate for, provide services to, and learn from industry leading companies such as IMG, Roush Racing, Alston & Bird, LLP, DEWALT, Office Depot, Gatorade, Coca-Cola, Waste Management, Newell Rubbermaid and many others. What I learned is that in any industry and with each client – advocacy and accessibility are the imperative. It’s the culmination of these life and professional experiences that allows me to offer our clients that same focus on being an accessible advocate for their legal needs. I invite you to learn more about how...

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...

William Vásquez is a native of Queens, NY. He served in the U.S. Air Force from 2000-2007. He is a veteran of Operation Enduring Freedom and received the Joint Service Achievement Medal for his work as a Spanish linguist for the Defense Intelligence Agency in 2005. William graduated from Campbell University in 2007 with a degree in computer science. He earned his J.D. in 2011 from the North Carolina Central University School of Law. His practice areas include immigration law and criminal defense cases. He is licensed and in good standing with the State Bar of North Carolina and...

Mr. Sonny Tran is an accomplished attorney with a decade of construction management experience prior to practicing law. Born in Columbia, SC, Mr. Tran spent most of his childhood in Charlotte, NC, and went on to obtain a Bachelor of Science in Civil-Construction Engineering from North Carolina State University. After graduating, he worked as a construction manager on several high-profile residential, commercial, and mixed-use developments in the Washington, DC area. During his nine-year tenure in Washington, DC, Mr. Tran was instrumental in managing the construction and renovation of over 900 residential units and several commercial projects totaling over $250,000,000. He was...

I represent individuals in all types of employment disputes, including discrimination, retaliation, whistleblower actions, severance negotiations, equal pay violations, sexual harassment and assault, non-compete contracts, labor rights, wage and hour violations, leaves of absence, workplace safety, and executive compensation matters.

I have won trial victories for clients in federal jury trials, state court trials, and arbitration. I have fought employers who discriminated against clients based on their race, gender, age, disability, national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity, and military service. I have fought back against retaliation based on our clients’ reports of unsafe working conditions, nuclear safety threats, and illegal overtime...

Mr. Erik Ashman’s practice primarily caters to cases involving divorce, child custody / visitation, child support, domestic violence protective orders, adoption, separation agreements, pre-nuptial agreements, post-nuptial agreements, property division, equitable distribution, alimony, post-separation support and grandparents’ rights.

While growing up, Erik was involved in Boys Scouts of America, in which he achieved the rank of Eagle Scout after many years of dedication and hard work. He attended Elkin High School and is a three-time North Carolina State Champion in Tennis. Upon graduation from high-school Erik attended the University of North Carolina at Wilmington, and earned a B.A. in Political...

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...

Attorney - 18 years of experience handing Workers' Compensation (job injury) and Personal Injury claims (such as serious injury due to the fault of another person/company, car accidents, slip and falls). My office is strictly focused on helping those that have been hurt. We provide high-quality legal representation and client satisfaction. The injured deserve a highly aggressive and experienced attorney - one they can speak with whenever they wish, one that will get results, a lawyer you can actually trust. Accept no less. We provide a free consultation to review your claim. Our number is (704) 334-1312. There is no...

I am a US Marine Core veteran committed to protecting your interests and providing excellent service.

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...

Jon graduated from the University of Kansas in 1965, and Columbia University School of Law in 1968. Before joining the firm, he clerked for the Honorable Richard T. Rives of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit and practiced with Carter, Ledyard and Milburn in New York City. He has taught at the law schools of Duke, UNC, and Wake Forest and is co-author of the practice volume of Larson's Employment Discrimination. Jon has served as President of the District Bar, Chair of the Dispute Resolution Section, Association's Labor and Employment Section and Appellate Rules Committee of the North...

Attorney Joe Culik practices in the areas of business law, franchise law, and civil litigation. Joe started the law firm in 2008 and has earned a reputation for advocating strongly for small businesses, franchises, business owners, and consumers. Joe has litigated hundreds of cases successfully for small businesses and individuals in both trial and appellate courts. He has a record of fighting aggressively for his clients to obtain the best possible outcome. Because of his experience litigating cases throughout the court system, he is often able to find ways to avoid protracted litigation via negotiated resolutions. When advising businesses,...

Following a successful 15-year career managing several well-known retail stores throughout the country, Mr. Lundell decided to refocus his passion for customer service and apply it to the practice of law. His determination to provide superior “customer” – or client – service is the keystone of his relationships with each and every client. “Whether carefully guiding parents through a highly emotional child custody dispute, or navigating a conflict between employer and employee, it is important to me that the people with whom I interact are provided sound legal advice in a language they understand. ‘You have to...

Andrea is a North Carolina girl through and through, growing up in Greensboro and completing her undergraduate degree in Psychology at the University of North Carolina at Greensboro and graduating cum laude from Elon University School of Law in 2012. Since beginning her law practice in 2012, Andrea has practiced civil litigation all over North Carolina, and added Florida into her law practice in 2018. Andrea has participated in litigation in both District and Superior Court on matters varying from employment law, to business litigation, to estate litigation and family law. She has experience in collections, real property, business...

Stephanie Goldsborough is a proven leader in the field of criminal defense, with a remarkable record in public legal service. After graduating with honors from Salem College, Stephanie received her J.D. from Campbell Law School. Stephanie began her sixteen-year legal career by dedicating her time and considerable talents to helping the less fortunate during their most trying times, in her work with both Legal Aid and the Public Defender’s office. A public servant to her core, Stephanie served as a domestic violence attorney for Legal Aid of Northwest North Carolina, where she litigated 50B actions and custody manners,...

Leah Shellberg is a highly skilled and experienced trial attorney in Asheboro, North Carolina focusing on all areas of family law, as well as criminal defense and immigration matters. Ms. Shellberg appears in court weekly for her clients, and has an impressive record of success in even highly contentious family law matters. Although she is a fierce and zealous advocate in the courtroom, Leah Shellberg prioritizes exceptionally compassionate and kind client service. Ms. Shellberg practices in Randolph, Guilford, Forsyth, and Montgomery counties, and is currently accepting new clients in the areas of family law/divorce, criminal defense, and...

Public Welfare and Poverty Law

Paul Mengert II is a graduate of Elon University School of Law. During his eight-plus years of practice, Paul has accrued significant experience as a litigator and has handled all aspects of family law cases, including custody and divorce. Paul has a keen eye for big picture problem solving and a genuine desire to help his clients achieve their goals. Attorney Mengert is a native of Greensboro. As a young man, Paul achieved the highest rank in Scouting, the Eagle Scout Award. Paul has experience in acting, singing, and debate. While at Elon, Paul excelled at national-level mock trial competitions as...

Chad Garrett, a former prosecutor, is a founding partner of Garrett, Walker, Aycoth and Olson, a firm that seeks to help clients navigate criminal cases, personal injury matters, family law cases, and business and civil litigation issues. Mr. Garrett concentrates on criminal law, traffic tickets and DWI trials. He is the author of the NCBAR Association's "ABC's of Criminal Court," and "ABCs of Traffic Law," among other publications. He teaches regularly on the topic of DWI trials. Mr. Garrett and his partners pride themselves on returning every call, everyday, and are always here to help. ...