Summerfield Lawyers

Michael P. Thomas, Partner of the Firm, focuses his practice on advising and representing clients on complex business issues, especially in dealing with the regulatory environments created by the federal government. In litigation, Mr. Thomas has represented clients at hearings, trials, and appeals across the state and around the country. Away from court, he has advised clients on their most sensitive matters, whether selling an entire business, negotiating executive contracts, restructuring significant divisions, or acquiring new assets. Mr. Thomas represents health care providers in all aspects of their business, including contracting with vendors and other providers, financing, acquisitions, Stark and...

Kimberly H. Whitley, Managing Partner of the Firm, concentrates her practice in Business and Corporate Law, Estate Planning and Administration, and Elder and Special Needs Law. She is a Board Certified Specialist in Estate Planning and Probate Law. She received her undergraduate degree (B.A., 1990) with Honors and Distinction and a law degree (J.D., 1993) with High Honors from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. As an undergraduate, Kim was a John M. Morehead Scholar, National Merit Scholar, and a Phi Beta Kappa member. During law school, she was a Staff Member of the North Carolina Law Review...

I am a Board Certified Specialist by the North Carolina State Bar in both State Criminal Law and Federal Criminal Law. Multiple times I have been selected by Super Lawyers and by Business North Carolina Magazine as Legal Elite. Also, I have selected by peer review in Best Lawyers in America in 2 different categories - White Collar Criminal Defense and Non-White Collar Criminal Defense. I have been practicing law since 1978 and seen just about every kind of case and client.

I am a State Bar Councilor at The North Carolina State Bar (the regulatory agency of all lawyers in...

I became a juvenile lawyer by accident but quickly discovered that this area of the law captured both my heart and brain. I practiced exclusively in juvenile court for over ten years.

I began representing children accused of breaking the law in order to ensure that they had a voice and were heard. Whatever the outcome in court, when children are given a voice and are heard, they begin to trust and feel respected and empowered. It is important to remember that "delinquents" are children, with undeveloped brains, and they and their families need to be shepherded through the court...

In 1997, Attorney Lee Schwilm founded his bankruptcy law firm, Schwilm Law Firm, PLLC. Since then, he has been devoted to helping individuals get their life back on track by helping them obtain relief from their debts. Over the last 15 years, Mr. Schwilm has successfully handled thousands of bankruptcy cases. To learn more about working with Attorney Schwilm and the counsel he may be able to provide you with, be sure to contact the firm today!

Chris is an associate attorney in the Beer Law Center of Matheson & Associates PLLC. Prior to earning his juris doctorate Campbell University School of Law, Chris went to East Carolina University where he graduated with degrees in both Psychology and Neuroscience. With this diverse background, Chris provides innovative ways of handling any legal needs that may arise in the fields of alcohol, business, and intellectual property law that you encounter. Before coming to Matheson & Associates, Chris was a certified legal intern at the Capital Innovate Business Law Clinic where his work focused primarily on startups and business formation, restructuring...

Jim Hickmon assists clients with wealth transfer, estate planning, trust, tax, and probate law issues. He also works with clients to resolve trust and estate related disputes, including representing beneficiaries and fiduciaries in litigated matters. He is a member of the American Bar Association’s Committees on Estate Planning and Employee Benefits and is Vice Chair of the ABA’s Probate & Real Property Section’s Uniform Acts Committee for Trusts and Estates. He is a Council member of the North Carolina Bar Association’s Section on Estate Planning and Fiduciary Law and also sits on the Section’s Legislative and Fiduciary...

Will has dedicated his entire career as an attorney to the litigation of civil and injury claims where he has represented only plaintiffs. Prior to forming Owens & Miller, Will was the Lead Attorney of the Personal Injury Division of a statewide high volume television marketing injury firm based in Raleigh.
Will has a proven track record with appearances in the Superior Court Divisions of 34 counties throughout North Carolina, with numerous jury cases tried to verdict in 8 of these counties. In addition, he appears before the North Carolina Industrial Commission and federal court in the United States District Court....

Experienced Trial Attorney. Honest and Dependable and ready to help in your time of need. Effective representation at reasonable rates.

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.

Education:
Emory University (BA in Political Science, 2002)
Campbell University (J.D., 2007)
-SBA representative
-Honor Court Justice
-Dean of Delta Theta Phi
-Moot Court Team
-ATLA Trial Team

Professional Memberships:
North Carolina State Bar
Judicial District 19A Bar
North Carolina Bar Association
North Carolina Advocates for Justice (formerly North Carolina Academy of Trial Lawyers)
American Bar Association
American Association for Justice (formerly American Trial Lawyers Association)

Family:
Married to fellow attorney and former law partner: Luke Baker
Two children: Garrett and Audrey
Two dogs: Phoebe and...

Corry has a strong work ethic that was instilled in him at a very young age by his family and he has carried that with him into law practice. Soon after becoming licensed Corry was able to fulfill a life-long dream of opening a law firm. In December 2012 the Brannen Law Firm was born. Corry primary practice areas include wills and estate planning, criminal law, bankruptcy law, veteran affairs disability, and civil litigation. Within the criminal law practice Corry works cases ranging from traffic matters to felony jury trials. Corry does most of the wills and estate planning in...

Steven is an experienced Estate Planning Lawyer. Steven is licensed in both North Carolina and California. Over the last decade, Steven has primarily practiced in the areas of estate planning and tax planning. Steven is also a former Attorney Advisor for the Social Security Administration. Adding greater insight to Social Security Disability, Supplemental Security Income, and Medicaid programs. Steven grew up in Southern California, but he spent some time in Montana while serving in the United States Air Force. While in Montana, Steven was stationed at Malmstrom Air Force Base. His primary mission was safeguarding nuclear ICBM missiles dispersed over a...

Quit cryin, call OBryan

Matthew attended North Carolina State University and graduated Magna Cum Laude in 2002 with a Bachelor of Arts in History and from the University of Alabama School of Law in 2006 with a Juris Doctorate. He is a partner at Gottholm, Ralston and Benton, PLLC since the firm’s inception in 2014, and was a partner at The Law Offices of Benton & Welborn, PLLC from 2006 until 2011, and The Law Offices of Gottholm, Welborn and Benton, PLLC from 2012-2013. Matthew’s practice primarily focuses on family law, criminal law and civil litigation. Matthew is an experienced litigator, and tries...

I am the founding attorney of The Law Office of Bryan A. Corbett, PLLC, which is based in my hometown of Statesville, North Carolina. My practice serves the citizens of Iredell and Alexander counties. My primary areas of focus are criminal defense, traffic violations, DWI arrests, and family law, which include divorce, separation agreements, child custody, support, and property division. Before establishing The Law Office of Bryan A. Corbett, PLLC, I served as a District Court Judge for Iredell and Alexander counties from January 2021 to March 2025. Prior to my tenure as a district court judge, I was the managing...

James is a North Carolina Board Certified Specialist in Federal and State Criminal Law and Family Law with a trial practice in criminal, domestic, and general litigation. He is deeply committed to excellence and professionalism in the practice of law, having served on the North Carolina State Bar Specialization Criminal Law Committee, the North Carolina State Bar Board of Continuing Legal Education, and was Issue Planning Editor of the Law Review at Regent University. James also lectures at criminal, family law, and trial practice continuing legal education (CLE) programs, and is regularly designated by the Capital Defender as lead counsel...

Chris is an Estate Planning, Probate, Guardianship, and Employment Lawyer with years of experience helping people in Durham, Wake, and surrounding counties in North Carolina.

Mr. Wilson is a member of the Durham County Bar Association, the American Bar Association, the North Carolina Bar Association and the North Carolina Academy of Trial Lawyers. He serves as a board member of the Large Law Firm Management Section of the North Carolina Bar Association. He is admitted to practice before the following courts: All North Carolina State Courts United States District Court for the Western District of North Carolina United States District Court for the Eastern District of North Carolina United States District Court for...

My name is Ben Busch. I am an attorney concentrating on foreclosure defense and debt resolution. I also offer general practice services in real estate, domestic and personal injury law. I primarily service Orange, Durham and Wake counties. I designed my fees to offer you affordable access to attorney that will protect your legal rights and obtain results for you. Thank you for considering me to be your attorney.

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,...

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...

Benita N. Jones is originally from eastern North Carolina. She attended magnet schools in Raleigh and graduated from the North Carolina School of Science and Mathematics in Durham. She holds a Bachelor of Arts degree from Yale University, where she graduated magna cum laude, and a Juris Doctorate from Georgetown University Law Center in Washington, DC. Ms. Jones is admitted to practice law in North Carolina and Virginia and before the United States District Court for the Eastern, Middle and Western Districts of North Carolina. Her practice includes representation of public schools and other educational institutions. She is a...

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...

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.

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...

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...

Criminal Defense Attorney Chris Dozier provides comprehensive, aggressive legal defense for people who have been charged with a crime. As a former Wake County Prosecutor, he knows what it takes to get the job done. Whether you have been charged with a speeding ticket, a DWI, Domestic Violence, underage drinking, or any other crime, Dozier will fight to protect your rights.

James obtained a Bachelor of Business Administration with concentration in Trust Management from Campbell University in May, 1986. Prior to attending law school, James was a Personal Banker and Assistant Branch Manager with Wachovia Bank. He then obtained his Juris Doctor degree in 1990 from Samford University, Cumberland School of Law in Birmingham, Alabama. After working with another law firm for approximately two years, James started his own law firm in 1993, representing clients in almost every county of North Carolina. Vann Attorneys currently has attorneys who handle creditors’ rights, unmanned aircraft systems, construction litigation, contract law, business planning, business...

A personal injury is traumatic, a legal battle shouldn’t be. Look to Brad Clark of Whitley Law Firm for your help. Contact a personal injury lawyer in Raleigh today for your personalized advice!

Ann Ochsner, of Whitley Law Firm, is qualified and ready to take on your personal injury case with tenacity. Contact a personal injury attorney in Raleigh today for a quality legal consultation!

Jay grew up in Henderson, NC. He graduated from Wake Forest University, magna cum laude, in 1998. He then graduated from law school and UNC-Chapel Hill, with honors, in 2002. Jay focuses on civil litigation, representing both plaintiffs and defendants in a wide variety of actions, including personal injury, wrongful death, and business and contractual disputes. Jay is licensed to practice law in North Carolina and in Georgia.