Kelly Lawyers

I am a board-certified specialist in North Carolina workers' compensation law. I have over a decade of experience handling workers' compensation claims. I have obtained favorable decisions from all levels of the Industrial Commission, NC Court of Appeals, and NC Supreme Court.

In addition to representing injured workers in workers' compensation claims, I also handle personal injury and general litigation claims. I am also certified as a mediator by the NC Dispute Resolution Commission. I primarily mediate workers' compensation claims.

As a practicing business attorney in Charlotte, NC, I provide guidance for protecting businesses from possible legal exposure, helping businesses grow stronger, and protecting them once a legal issue arises. The son of a Lebanese immigrant with his own small business, I understand the need for competent and affordable business law assistance.

I have experience dealing in entity formation, contract formation and disputes, wage and hour disputes, other employment disputes, preparing employment documents to protect businesses on the front-end, trademark registration/searches, copyright infringement assistance, and several other areas.

Elizabeth grew up in Aiken, South Carolina, watching her father, a plaintiff’s attorney, represent good people who were taken advantage of by large corporations. She connected with this mission and felt called from an early age to stand up for these hardworking people and give them the quality legal representation they deserve. After obtaining her undergraduate degree from Florida State University and her law degree from Florida State University College of Law, Elizabeth returned to South Carolina to follow in her father’s footsteps. She chose personal injury law because she has seen firsthand how a good personal injury attorney can make...

“I understand that this is more than just a case for my clients; it is their life and their family’s livelihood, and I take that very seriously.” Marcus Spake is known for aggressively representing his clients, and for ensuring that their best interests are protected at all times. During his career, Marcus has represented both injured workers and defendants in workers’ compensation claims, giving him a vast depth of knowledge of both sides of the law. He firmly believes that every injured person deserves competent and effective counsel and uses his experience to his client’s absolute advantage. Marcus Spake is a...

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...

Putting You First, Elizabeth G. Grimes is Managing Partner at Grimes Yeoman, PLLC, representing plaintiffs in cases involving serious bodily injuries & traumatic brain injuries. Mrs. Grimes received her B.A. in Economics from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill in December of 1985, graduating a semester early, & received her law degree from Wake Forest University School of Law in 1989. While in law school, Mrs. Grimes was a member of the Wake Forest Law Review & Moot Court Board, & a quarter-finalist in the Wake Forest Law School First Year Moot Court Competition, & recipient of the...

I am a local attorney with a focus on real estate, landlord-tenant, and wills and estates. But I can and will take any matter that arises should you need me, if I do not feel comfortable in handling your matter I will do my best to find you a lawyer that is. I live in Yadkin County and am raising my family here. I have served in the Army since 2004 and have deployed to Iraq and Afghanistan during my time in service. After completing my active service I attended UNC-Greensboro and then Wake Forest School of Law, and have continued...

Henry took a delayed path to entering the practice of law. After college Henry worked in the furniture industry for almost nine years. During that time he worked progressively as a staff engineer, plant manager, and head of engineering. In his final position prior to leaving the furniture industry Henry was a member of the Steering Committee for a corporation with over 250 employees and was responsible for overseeing the corporation’s IT Department, Product Development Department, and continuous efficiency improvement initiative. Henry decided in 2003 to pursue a different career as an attorney and joined Young,...

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...

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...

Board Certified Specialist in Estate Planning & Probate Law

Stephen M. Bennett is a partner at Arnold & Smith, PLLC, practicing in the Charlotte area. He focuses on General Civil Litigation, Business Law, Estate Planning, and Land Use/Zoning. He is well-versed in various legal issues businesses may encounter, including forming new business entities, drafting contracts, and handling business litigation.

My main area of practice is Immigration Law. I am the son of Immigrants. However, I also, handle uncontested divorce, criminal defense for most misdemeanors, name changes and legitimation, personal injury and workers compensation.

"R. Kent Brown’s interest in the law and devotion to his clients has led to many record setting recoveries. In 1985, R. Kent Brown obtained the largest recovery ($3,000,000.00) in North Carolina to that time in a medical negligence matter. In 1992, R. Kent Brown obtained the largest person injury jury verdict ($15,700,000.00) in North Carolina history to that time. In 2002, R. Kent Brown again set a record when he recovered the largest road construction settlement ($3,500,000.00) in North Carolina history. In the last several years, R. Kent Brown has made recoveries of over a million dollars against...

Mr. Payne is the CEO & Managing Partner of Apple Payne Law, PLLC, which he co-founded with retired attorney Bill Apple after owning his own firm Payne Law, PLLC. Mr. Payne's practice areas are estate planning, probate & business advising, and the firm also has family law and real estate teams to serve the full family's needs. Mr. Payne started the practice of law when he founded Payne Law, PLLC after graduation from the Wake Forest University School of Law in 2011. Before attending Wake Forest University School of Law, Mr. Payne attended Florida Coastal School of Law, where he was...

Ben Ridings a Board Certified Specialist in Workers’ Compensation Law by the North Carolina State Bar Board of Legal Specialization. He is a member of the firm practicing primarily in the areas of workers’ compensation and general civil litigation.

Ben graduated from the University of North Carolina at Asheville in 2003 with a Bachelor of Arts, with Honors and Distinction, in History. He received his law degree from the University of North Carolina School of Law in 2007, where he served as Articles and Comments Editor of the First Amendment Law Review and interned with The Honorable Robin E. Hudson of...

Pamela Williams is a North Carolina native who worked as a paralegal before attending law school at the University of South Carolina. She now practices civil litigation, family law, personal injury, and appellate matters at Arnold & Smith, PLLC. She is licensed to practice law in North and South Carolina.

Valerie A. Johnson graduated from the University of North Carolina and from the UNC School of Law in 1994, with honors Before entering law school, Valerie was an elementary school teacher.

Valerie is a specialist in workers' compensation law. She teaches trial advocacy at the University of North Carolina School of Law. Valerie also has taught workers' compensation law at Wake Forest University's School of Law.

Valerie serves on the Board of Directors of the North Carolina Advocates for Justice and chaired the workers’ compensation committee. She is a former board member of the Lawyers Coordinating Committee...

I am a North Carolina Board Certified Specialist in Immigration Law (one of only twenty-nine in the state). I graduated with Honors from the University of North Carolina School of Law in 2009 and have over five years of full-time immigration law experience. I love my job because on a daily basis I work closely with families, businesses, and individuals to make an otherwise intimidating immigration process smooth and worry-free. I approach each case with honesty and integrity and will work diligently to achieve a favorable outcome for each client.

Lawrence founded Tickle Law Office in 2013 after graduating from Campbell University School of Law and passing the North Carolina State Bar. Lawrence earned his Bachelor of Science in Political Science from East Carolina University in 2010 as well as his Master of Science in Criminal Justice and Public Administration from Liberty University in 2015. Lawrence served in the United States Marine Corps after high school where he learned the essential leadership and management skills necessary to be successful as a zealous advocate for his clients. A native of Reidsville, NC, Lawrence now calls Franklin County home. He prides himself...

A self-described 'nerd,' Matt is well-versed in economics, physics, chemistry, engineering, construction, technology, medicine, and more. Once a student with near perfect SAT and LSAT exam scores, Matt double-majored in economics and philosophy at The College of William & Mary, later becoming an economics scholar in Germany while obtaining his J.D. at the George Mason University School of Law. As an attorney, Matt has harnessed his love of learning into an exceptional ability to master each intricacy of his complex cases, and to easily go toe-to-toe with every expert witness he encounters.

These unique talents have served Matt's clients very...

Mr. Thompson is a native Floridian having grown up in Fort Lauderdale. After graduating with honors from Fort Lauderdale Christian School, he was offered placement in the Honors Program at the University of Georgia. Following receipt of his undergraduate degree in Political Science, he remained in Athens and received his law degree from the University of Georgia School of Law. During that time he was also an officer in the Demosthenian Society in which he focused on oral argument and debate.

Prior to relocating to North Carolina, Mr. Thompson practiced a wide array of litigation in both Georgia and Florida, including...

Derrick Hensley is a Child Welfare, Family, and Immigration lawyer who manages a small law firm in Hillsborough, North Carolina. Derrick founded his own firm in order to ensure he could take cases that make a real difference for his clients, and to ensure that his practice always observed the highest principles of the legal profession. Derrick is dedicated zealously advocating for his clients and to fostering an open, communicative attorney-client relationship based on trust and honesty.

Derrick's firm has practices in several fields of law, focusing on the intersections between them, including international family law, humanitarian and family immigration, and...

I am a workers' compensation attorney in North Carolina representing employees that have been hurt at work. Contact me for a free consult if you have been hurt at work, you may have certain rights including: payment of medical expenses, payments for permanent impairment ratings, and disability benefits for the time you are out of work.

Zachary Marquand began his professional career as a high school math teacher with Teach for America, working in a rural community in Eastern North Carolina.

Zachary is one of a select group of board certified specialists in workers’ compensation law practicing in North Carolina.

Originally from Knoxville, Tenn., Zach earned his bachelor’s degree in economics and Latin from DePauw University in Indiana. As a college undergraduate, Zach was senior captain of the men’s swim team.

After devoting two years to Teach for America, Zach attended law school at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. There, he became...

Ben Burnside is passionate about representing the rights of mentally and physically disabled and injured people. He focuses his practice on helping disabled workers and veterans receive the Social Security Disability and VA benefits to which they are entitled, especially when they have been denied those benefits in the past.

Ben is a proven advocate for his clients. In 2008, he became a member of the Million Dollar Advocates Forum, a prestigious association of trial lawyers. Membership is limited to attorneys who have won million dollar or multimillion dollar verdicts, awards or settlements for their clients. Fewer than 1 Social Security...

I am Board Certified by the National Board of Trial Advocacy (NBTA) in Civil Trial Law. NBTA certification is the only National Board recognized by the United States Supreme Court. This certification requires recertification every fie years. I have recertified for this qualification twice, the last time was in 2022. I am also AV rated by Martindale-Hubbell. It is the highest level of peer rating a lawyer can earn. It means your legal peers think you have professional excellence for your legal knowledge, communication skills and ethical standards. I am also a member of the American Board of Trial Advocates which...

Terry Duncan attended law school at Texas Wesleyan University and is licensed to practice law in North Carolina and Texas. He began practicing law in the Charlotte area in 1996. Terry is admitted to practice in the Supreme Court of the United States, the United States 4th Circuit Court of Appeals, all federal courts in North Carolina including the Western and Middle District Bankruptcy Courts as well as civil and criminal courts. Terry is one of the preeminent bankruptcy attorneys in Charlotte and has filed thousands of bankruptcy cases for his clients. During the last 10 years he has likely filed...

EDWIN HARDY has been practicing law for over 31 years. With more than 30 years experience at bankruptcy, he has over 3000 bankruptcies successfully filed to help people. He is a former member of the N.C. General Assembly as a State Representative in the N.C. House of Representatives where he served as Chairman of the Judiciary Committee. He has served on the N.C. Courts Commission and the Governor's Crime Commission. He is a past Chairman of the Board of Trustees of Beaufort Regional Health Systems which operated Beaufort County Medical Center. He has also served as President of the Beaufort...

Casey Francis has a strong desire to help people, whether it’s through her work as an attorney or her role as a volunteer for numerous community groups. She joined the Deuterman Law Group in 2011 as an associate attorney in workers’ compensation, following previous stints here as a law clerk and new client coordinator.

Casey is one of a select group of board certified specialists in workers’ compensation law practicing in North Carolina.

Since she joined the firm, Francis has been the lead attorney on workers’ comp cases involving Spanish-speaking clients with a focus on representing undocumented workers in their claims....

Trustworthy Immigration and Business Attorney Located in Charlotte, North Carolina.

I can help You:
**Prepare and File Family basedGreen Card Applications
** Prepare and File U.S Citizenship Application
**Motion to Reopen or Reconsider if your GC denied
**Respond to Requests for Evidence
**Prepare for Immigration Interview
**Prepare and Review Immigration Forms

Client's Success is my Priority.

In 2020, there are several Immigration changes that could affect your eligibility and decrease your chances of success. An experienced immigration Attorney can make the difference between getting denied and losing money and time. I have kept up with all the new laws and will make sure...

I enjoy working with clients to seek a just resolution of their dispute. Sometimes disputes can only be resolved by engaging the legal process through the courts, which I routinely do when necessary. My practice is concentrated on business ownership and control disputes, real estate and construction disputes (liens, payment and performance bonds, defective work claims, mediation and arbitration), summary ejectment and eviction proceedings, employment disputes, personal injury, and contract disputes.

Mr. Privette has developed a diversified law practice and is capable of handling your legal needs. He is experienced in business and civil litigation, advising clients with respect to establishing business corporations, limited liability companies and partnerships as well as buying or selling a business, assisting clients with employment issues such as wrongful denial of benefits (unemployment, disability, or workers compensation), discrimination and sexual harassment. Mr. Privette represents individuals who have suffered the effects of personal or workplace injuries and represents clients zealously to ensure that they attain the compensation they deserve. He offers clients real estate services including but not...

After training initially with one of the top biotech patent groups in the U.S. and practicing in large general practice firms for over 20 years, Carl has the experience to meet the intellectual property needs of startups, mid-size R&D companies, large biotherapeutic and pharmaceutical companies, and top tier, research-intensive universities. He enjoys doing single-project work, as well as comprehensive counseling and portfolio development for startups and growing companies.

Carl counsels scientific founders on initial protection strategies for their platform technology (timing, scope of disclosure, landscape analysis, ownership issues), develops licensing programs for biotechnology, and evaluates lifecycle management programs for marketed human...

Shepard Smith is a managing attorney for the Charlotte office of Stewart Law Offices. Born and raised in Charlotte, Shepard became a lawyer because he wanted to be able to advocate for those who found themselves in overwhelming legal circumstances.

As the youngest of five siblings, Shepard learned the value of hard work at an early age while spending summers earning money as a landscaper and warehouse laborer. He knows how important a paycheck can be to a family, and how an injury can forever change a person’s life.

Shepard brings a unique perspective to personal injury cases and workers’ compensation claims...

Becoming a lawyer has been part of Julie Vergara Duque’s game plan since childhood. From the time she enrolled in law school, she knew she wanted to use her expertise to improve other people’s lives and help them navigate legal challenges. In 2024, she joined the Deuterman Law Group as an associate attorney in the workers’ compensation practice, working primarily out of the Winston-Salem office. As a native Spanish speaker, she will focus her practice on cases involving Spanish-speaking clients who have been injured on the job. Julie’s family immigrated from Colombia when she was a child, and an attorney’s work on...

I am a Supervising Attorney at Lively Law Firm specializing in immigration law.

Keith Stroud is a 25+ year veteran of the practice of law. Keith supports businesses in the Triad, spouses going through a separation and divorce, individuals and couples through estate planning, executors and administrators handling the estate of a loved one, and seniors and their family members in long term care and asset protection matters. He provides a straightforward and comprehensive approach to legal representation, and offers unique solutions designed to meet the goals of his clients.

While Keith’s practice is structured to help his clients avoid litigation, he is first and foremost a trial lawyer. His civil and past criminal...

Whitney Young is a North Carolina native, having lived in nearly all of its major cities including Raleigh, Charlotte, and Asheville. She first moved to Elizabeth City in 2009 to begin her teaching career at River Road Middle School, shortly after graduating from Appalachian State University as a NC Teaching Fellow and Honors Student Teacher. She was passionate about working with at-risk children, which is what drew her to the Albemarle area.

After several years of teaching, Whitney met her husband, Steven Young, a native of Elizabeth City, who was active duty US Army. During their first year of...

Heather Fox is a highly skilled and dedicated criminal defense attorney based in the heart of Iredell County, North Carolina. With a passion for justice and a commitment to defending the rights of individuals facing legal challenges, Heather has earned a reputation as a tenacious advocate both inside and outside the courtroom. For Heather, every case is an opportunity to make a difference, protect rights, and seek justice. Heather was born and raised in Statesville, North Carolina. She is a double graduate from Liberty University, having completed her Bachelor’s degree in English in 2016 and her Juris Doctor in 2020. After...