Advance Lawyers

I graduated from Elon University School of Law and have since dedicated my practice primarily to family law. I assist clients with custody issues, including high-conflict custody cases, and also manage divorce, separation agreements, domestic violence and 50B matters, and equitable distribution. I joined the team at Woodruff Family Law Group in 2025, where I was warmly welcomed.

I have been practicing law for 23 years, working in various environments from large firms to boutique settings. Currently, I serve as litigation counsel at Hitachi Energy. My educational background includes a BS from Cornell and a JD from NYU Law. I am licensed to practice in California, New York, and North Carolina. I am deeply committed to making the legal profession more diverse and approachable. Additionally, I am certified in Adult Mental Health First Aid (USA) by the National Council for Mental Wellbeing.

Amanda D. Phillips Roux is a seasoned attorney, licensed to practice in both Georgia and North Carolina, with nearly two decades of legal experience in personal injury, probate law, contract law, and general civil litigation. Known for her honest communication and client-first approach, Attorney Roux has successfully represented clients in complex litigation and settlement negotiations. With offices based in Atlanta, Georgia, and Charlotte, North Carolina, Attorney Roux is dedicated to achieving justice for her clients by combining a sharp legal strategy and empathetic guidance.

Caleb Tarver is a third-generation small business owner, seasoned tax professional, and the founding attorney of Havenspire Law, a modern law firm designed to serve as a legal safe haven for entrepreneurs, founders, nonprofits, and growing businesses across North Carolina. With a strong foundation in business, tax, and regulatory law, Caleb understands both the legal and practical realities of running a business. His work is deeply informed by lived experience, having grown up in a family of business owners and later guiding clients through complex transactions, contracts, and compliance strategies. Caleb brings clarity, confidence, and concierge-level support to every stage of...

When Damon Chetson ran for District Attorney in Wake County in 2022, and secured nearly 42 percent of the vote against a powerful incumbent, he did so because he doesn't back down from tough fights. And because he believes in the promise of the Criminal Justice system and its commitment that all people are innocent until proven guilty. In more that a decade in practice, Damon has defended clients in some of North Carolina's most serious and most notable cases. In 2019, he secured the only win in the federal government's largest prosecution in American history. That same year, he...

Saad Law has handled over 100,000 criminal charges in Wake County and devotes their practice to defending citizens who are the subject of criminal charges, both in the DWI arena and all other areas of criminal law. Steven Saad spent years as a Supervisor in the Wake County District Attorney's Office where he oversaw the prosecution of every DWI, misdemeanor, and traffic case charged in Raleigh and the surrounding cities. Now that experience is put to work for his current clients.

Saad Law also represents defendants charged with an array of traffic violations and provides the best opportunity to...

David Gantt is an Asheville-based Board Certified Workers’ Compensation Legal Specialist serving western North Carolina. In addition to work comp, David practices in the areas of Social Security Disability, Personal Injury, and Wrongful Death law.

He holds a BA in Economics from University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill in 1978, and earned his Juris Doctor from Campbell University Law School in 1981. David was admitted to the bar for North Carolina and U.S. District Court, Western District of North Carolina in 1981. In 1984, he was admitted to the U.S. Court of Appeals, Fourth Circuit, and U.S. District...

North Carolina Professional License Defense Attorney Nicholas Dowgul, or “Nick” as he prefers, began his legal career in 2008 in the Public Defender’s Office in Harrison County, Mississippi. In this position, Dowgul found his passion for the litigation of cases. Being in a courtroom felt like home to him. While he loves the mental battle within a courtroom, he believes resolving cases outside the courtroom is typically in the client’s best interests when it’s a valid option. However, when the time calls for it and resolution measures outside of the courtroom have been exhausted, Dowgul is well-prepared to obtain the best results for...

Managing Partner and the founder of The Law Group, Melissa Gott is a graduate of the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and Campbell University School of Law. Melissa is a licensed North Carolina attorney, D.R.C. Certified Mediator, Financial (family law) Mediator, and Collaborative Attorney with Coastal Collaborative Colleagues. At the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Melissa graduated with distinction with a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration concentrating in finance and the legal environment of business. Melissa then matriculated to Campbell University’s School of Law. While in law school, Melissa was an editor...

John comes to the law as Career 2.0. After spending 15+ years as an engineer and project manager, John went back to law school to become an attorney. Founding Beer Law Center, John has focused his practice on working with breweries, wineries, distilleries, and other artisanal alcohol beverage producers. In recent years, John has included hemp, cannabis, and other "vices" as part of his practice area, leading to the creation of Vice Law Center.

Since 1992 I have focused my practice primarily on criminal defense. In 1998, along with Seth Blum, I founded the Raleigh Law Firm of Kurtz & Blum PLLC. At Kurtz & Blum we help people who have been accused of crimes from minor traffic cases and DWIs all the way up through high profile murder trials. On our civil side we help people who have been harmed by the negligence of another such as in car wrecks, nursing home negligence cases and legal malpractice cases. We round out our practice by helping people with family law...

Ahaji Amos is an experienced intellectual property attorney, with a special focus on intellectual property prosecution and litigation in the biotechnological arts, including medical devices, supplements, pharmaceuticals, and software. Ahaji has handled all aspects of litigation, including first chairing multiple litigation matters, as well as handling quasi-litigation matters before the PTAB and TTAB.
Ahaji practices all aspects of intellectual property including patents, trademarks, trade secrets and copyrights. She has filed over 100 patent applications, over 100 trademark applications, and numerous cancelation and opposition proceedings. Because she primarily represents early-stage companies, Ahaji also regularly counsels clients on business...

Dana Andrew LeJune was born in Beaumont, Texas in 1956 into a Cajun, rice sharecropping family. He graduated from French High School there in 1975. In 1976 he began his undergraduate studies at the University of Texas at Austin, and received his B.A. in History three years later. He taught Government and History at French High School through May, 1979, when he began law school.

Mr. LeJune attended South Texas College of Law and graduated with a J.D. in December, 1982, after having published a maritime law article in the August, 1982 South Texas Law Journal. He took the February, 1983...

Gilbert Carey is an attorney and certified public accountant with the McDowell Law Group. He practices in the areas of Taxation, Tax Resolution and Controversy and Estate Planning, solving tax, business, and legal challenges for individuals, privately held businesses and their owners. He has an Avvo rating of 10 (Superb) and has been recognized as a Top Lawyer of Coastal Virginia by Coastal Virginia Magazine. Mr. Carey regularly advises clients on tax matters and represents clients in tax disputes with the IRS, state tax agencies and in U.S. Tax Court. He provides income tax planning and compliance advice to individuals, trusts,...

Since 1987, attorney Christina Rivenbark has been building a reputation for passion, skill and integrity in areas of the law that matter to everyday, hardworking individuals and families. Under her leadership, our dedicated legal team handles criminal defense and personal injury cases in Wilmington and the surrounding areas. Most importantly, every client and every case truly matters to us. We demonstrate this by consistently delivering personal attention and hard work to achieve our clients’ goals. When you choose Christina Rivenbark & Associates for your criminal law or personal injury matter, we will greet you warmly and treat you with respect and...

Boasting over 30 years of experience as an attorney in both North Carolina and Texas, Mike Wimer strives to deliver masterful and unparalleled civil litigation services. Mike prides himself on having the stamina, fortitude, and expertise to handle the most complex and challenging civil disputes in the areas of construction law, insurance claims, and business disputes.

As a partner attorney at my firm, Asheville Legal, I assist clients to resolve disputes primarily in the areas of business, construction, insurance, and real estate. I strive to deliver masterful litigation services, and I pride myself on outmaneuvering the opposition and in clear communication with my clients regarding costs and expectations. I live in Asheville, North Carolina with my wife and four children.

I am Brian C. Malone, a forward-thinking and dedicated immigration attorney with a comprehensive background in various immigration law disciplines. I began pursuing a certificate in Immigration and Citizenship Law and Practice in 2014, which I earned in 2017. Since then, I have handled a diverse and unique set of immigration cases. I consistently go above and beyond in family-based cases, appeals, and representation before various court systems, USCIS, ICE, and CBP. I am committed to building partnerships based on trust, respect, and honesty, truly embodying a 'client-first' approach with a real-time case management portal that fosters transparency and efficient communication....

Letha Sgritta McDowell is a highly accomplished attorney and shareholder at McDowell Law Group, specializing in various areas of elder law, including estate planning, special needs planning, estate and trust administration, asset protection planning, long-term care planning, personal injury settlement consulting, guardianships & conservatorships, and tax law. Her expertise ranges from assisting clients with complex estate planning for high-net-worth individuals with assets over $75 million to developing simple plans for families with limited assets. Ms. McDowell has a distinguished professional background. She served as the President of the National Academy of Elder Law Attorneys (NAELA), a notable position within the field....

Attorney Bruce Mason is an experienced attorney dedicated to the pursuit of justice for his clients. He is committed to protecting his clients' freedom inside and outside of the courtroom. Bruce focuses on Criminal Defense matters including Traffic Violations, Expunction of Criminal Records, Domestic Violence/Protective Orders, DUI/DWI Defense, Drug Possession, Felonies and more. Visit his website for more information and call for a free consultation!

Growing up on a small farm in Central Iowa, I learned the importance of hard work, respecting my elders, and contributing locally. I graduated from Iowa State University, and eventually attended law school at the University of Wyoming. I have practiced law for several decades, focusing in recent years on estate planning, and I enjoy it. When my grandfather passed away without a will when I was a young man, my family was devastated, as the government took 70% of his estate. That lasting impression drove me to begin helping people avoid such difficult ends, and instead provide a soft...

The son of a government official, Andy grew up in various parts of the country, including Ohio, Colorado, and Texas. He attended the College of William and Mary and graduated in 1988 with a B.A. with honors in Government. Andy then went to the University of Richmond Law School, obtaining his J.D. in 1991. While in law school, he won the moot court competition, the trial competition (twice), and the writing competition. After passing the Virginia bar exam in 1991, Andy worked in one of the largest law firms in the country in its Norfolk office, primarily defending large...

Andy Strauss is a Board Certified Specialist in Estate Planning & Probate Law. His North Carolina practice includes the full spectrum of complex estate planning, estate tax planning, and asset protection planning. He is a 1978 graduate of Georgetown University School of Law and a member of the North Carolina, Florida, and Pennsylvania State Bars. Andrew is married to Holly and has two daughters: Spencer and Courtney.

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.

Jessica is dedicated to getting justice for those who've been sexually harassed, discriminated against, have Family and Medical Leave Act issues, or suffered retaliation at work. As a partner at Grimes Teich Anderson, Jessica focuses her practice on employment law, workers' compensation, and personal injury.

Since she became an attorney in 2001, Jessica has litigated cases in both state and federal court and before the North Carolina Industrial Commission, and she has an extensive background in appellate work before the North Carolina Supreme Court, North Carolina Court of Appeals, and North Carolina Industrial Commission.

She obtained a successful ruling from...

Based in Asheville, NC, Lakota R. Denton is a Personal Injury Lawyer that has assisted many clients in North Carolina who have been injured through no fault of their own, or due to someone else’s negligence. He is committed to helping injured persons in his community, and assisting them through the complex legal process, so they can get their lives back on track. Lakota is a Cum Laude graduate of Western New England College of Law. After interning at Pellegrini Seeley Ryan and Blakesley in Massachusetts and the National Labor Relations Board in Hartford, Connecticut during Law School,...

Need a Raleigh Family Law or Contract Litigation Attorney? Call Bryant Paris today at (919) 832-5577. Since 2002, Bryant has represented people from all walks of life across North Carolina as well as small businesses in a wide-variety of civil and criminal law cases. Through the years, he worked tirelessly to obtain just results for his clients in an effort to put them in a position to move on with their lives after their cases are resolved. Bryant uses his vast experience gained from actual courtroom hearing and trial experience, as well as in arbitration and mediation, to...

Pete currently works as an attorney and counsel with Fourscore Business Law, executive director of the nonprofit Carolina Lawyers for the Arts & Entertainment (CLÆ), and CEO of Glyph. He also serves as an arbitrator and mediator with several panels. Prior to these positions, his most recent experience was with a startups practice group in Raleigh, which followed an in-house stint with a private equity company in Durham as a Corporate Counsel and M&A Attorney. Singh received his J.D. from Duke University School of Law with Intellectual Property and Corporate Law concentrations and a B.B.A. from Hofstra University as a Legal...

In joining Hardison & Cochran in 2008, Joel Jackson Hardison made a transition from defending insurance companies in Workers Compensation cases to representing injured and disabled workers. He applies the insights he gained from representing insurance companies to assist the injured workers he represents. There is little doubt about which type of practice he prefers. Hardison received a B.A. degree in journalism from the University of North Carolina in 1999 and a J.D. from the UNC School of Law in 2004. He was a member of the law school’s Holderness Moot Court team and was named to the Dean’s List. He launched his...