Watauga County Lawyers

Kirk J. Angel, attorney and founder of The Angel Law Firm, PLLC, is a native of Western North Carolina. He received his BA in Philosophy from the University of North Carolina at Asheville. After graduating from UNC-Asheville, Mr. Angel attended the University of Tennessee where he received a Masters in Philosophy and his law degree in 1997. After graduating from UT, Mr. Angel practiced law with a small firm in Knoxville, Tennessee focusing his practice on employment law for employees as well as personal injury and worker's compensation. He returned to his home state to work as a Trial...

Schehr Law specializes in personal injury, criminal law and immigration defense. We are a family based law firm who always offer a free consultation to anyone needing help. I graduated cum laude from Thomas Jefferson School of Law and have sought out to help individuals in need. With respect to personal injury, we handle auto accidents, dog bites, slip and falls, trucking accidents, motorcycle accidents, and general personal injury matters. With regards to immigrations, we handle family based immigration matters, humanitarian matters such as asylum, deferred action childhood arrivals, cancellation of removal, and VAWA (violence against woman's act). Lastly, we...

After suffering a work-related injury in September 2007 while working for the largest company in the world, I learned firsthand the difficulties faced by those who are injured at work. And for those like me whose claims are denied, the financial struggle and the burden it places on our friends and family can feel overwhelming. The frustration of this experience drove me to law school, and today, it drives me to fight for those who have suffered injuries, be they workplace or other. Providing competent and compassionate legal services for those in need, is my top priority.

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...

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...

Mr. Dummit is an aggressive trial attorney who has earned a reputation for successfully and professionally representing his clients in the courtroom. He routinely represents clients with charges varying from Driving While Impaired to Drug Trafficking in criminal courts. Mr. Dummit also litigates for victims in cases ranging from simple auto negligence to medical malpractice and wrongful death cases. He has focused his practice in actual courtroom litigation for 20 years and has had extensive experience in district and superior courts, and in both State and Federal Courts. Mr. Dummit has taught seminars to other attorneys on civil and criminal...

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,...

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...

Attorney Margaret E. Ford, a North Carolina native, grew up in Concord and is now a resident of the Charlotte area. Mrs. Ford joined the firm in 2020 with a dedication to advocate for injured clients and a passion for tort-related claims. She earned a Bachelor of Science degree at the University of North Carolina Wilmington and her Juris Doctorate from Elon University School of Law. During her time in law school, Mrs. Ford was a member of the Moot Court Board where she established practical legal skills.

Prior to joining our firm, Mrs. Ford worked as a personal injury...

Dealing with family law issues can be overwhelming—especially if you are looking to file for divorce. The Collins Family & Elder Law Group is a law firm committed to helping individuals file for divorce and find solutions for their other family law matters. The team has over 200+ years combined legal experience, and has the ability to take on even the most complicated cases. If you are about to file for divorce, the team can assist you; regardless of if your situation calls for mediation, negotiation, or litigation. The team understands how difficult and emotionally draining it can be to...

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...

Stephen David Koehler earned his Bachelor of Science in English and Computer Science degree from State University of New York at Stony Brook in 1987 and his Juris Doctor from Wake Forest University School of Law in 1991. Mr. Koehler joined the firm in 2012 after owning his own firm since 1999. Mr. Koehler is admitted to practice in the State Courts of North Carolina, and in North Carolina's Middle and Western United States District Courts. Mr. Koehler has handled and tried cases in almost every area of business and tort litigation. Mr. Koehler has handled major cases involving General Civil...

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...

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.

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...

Chase is a native of Murphy, North Carolina and loves practicing in the Appalachian mountains. Chase has focused his work in trial advocacy, and spends a great deal of time on contracts, construction law, foreclosures, and other civil disputes. He has a talent for drafting contracts and leases, and he represents his clients in any litigation over those contracts and leases. At Wake Forest School of Law, Chase was the treasurer of the Public Interest Law Organization and an active member of the Inn of Court, a national ethics-based organization. Chase is a member of First Baptist...

I offer personal, compassionate assistance with debt and consumer law issues to persons in the Piedmont Triad area of North Carolina.

I am a graduate of DePaul University College of Law. After law school, I moved to Colorado and worked as a public defender for several years. Through this experience, I gained extensive advocacy skills and learned to effectively fight for my clients’ rights. In 2006, I relocated to Washington, D.C. to work for the Department of Veterans Affairs on the Board of Veterans Appeals (Board). During this time, I developed a passion for helping Veterans. Working for the VA, I learned how to effectively navigate through the VA process, fully develop claims and get positive results for Veterans....

Ashley E. Lively is the owner and founder of the Lively Law Firm. Ashley founded the Lively Law Firm from a desire to take on tough cases and go to battle on behalf of her clients. When Ashley takes on a case, her clients reap the benefit of her considerable knowledge, experience and intense personal investment. Ashley has experience practicing in one of the toughest Immigration Courts in the country as an associate attorney at the Charlotte Immigration Law Firm. While at the Charlotte Immigration Law Firm Ashley fought for clients seeking asylum, applying for green cards through family members, and...

Serge Semirog holds degrees in Finance and Economics from the University of Massachusetts at Amherst, where he graduated cum laude. His law degree Mr. Semirog earned at the University of California, Hastings College of the Law, where he was a member of the Hastings Business Law Journal. Mr. Semirog’s experience includes work at the Hampden County Superior Court in Springfield, Massachusetts, as well as at several medium sized firms in California and Massachusetts. Mr. Semirog also worked at the Massachusetts Family Institute (MFI) where he drafted legislative proposals for the Massachusetts State Assembly. For his work...

Providence Wills and Trusts is an Estate Planning Law Firm located in Weddington, North Carolina. The managing attorney, Zachary Setzer, graduated cum laude from Washington and Lee University School of Law where he was Lead Articles Editor of the Washington and Lee Law Review and received the James C.C. Treadway Law Scholarship. Before attending law school, Zachary graduated from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill with a B.A. in Religious Studies and a B.A. in Political Science. Being a solo practice, Zachary takes pride in having the opportunity to work with every client personally,...

I attended the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, becoming the first in my family to attend a four-year college. After earning my degree, I relocated to Memphis, Tennessee, to pursue my legal education at the University of Memphis, Cecil C. Humphreys School of Law. While there, I served on the editorial board of The University of Memphis Law Review and published two articles. My time in Memphis was rewarding both academically, as I graduated with honors, and personally, as my wife and I welcomed two children. In 2003, I returned to North Carolina and started my career as a...

Heather Helmendach joined The Noble Law’s Charlotte office as an Associate Attorney in October 2021 after gaining valuable experience as a seasonal associate for The Noble Law from May 2019 to January 2021. In 2021, Heather received her J.D. from the University of North Carolina School of Law, where she graduated in the top 10% of her class. During her time at UNC Law, she was a member of the North Carolina Law Review, UNC Women in Law, and served as President of the Labor & Employment Law Association. Not only is Heather passionate about working tirelessly to produce favorable outcomes...

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...

Ron is the founder of Skufca Law and leads the firm’s litigation group representing businesses and individuals in the areas of business, construction, motorsports, and family law. He has substantial experience in the construction industry, NASCAR, and advising a wide range of businesses in all aspects of their legal issues. Ron currently serves as outside general counsel to several of his long-time business clients while continuing to work with individuals starting their own business or to resolve disputes that may arise. Ron is dedicated to helping both new and longtime business owners in a cost effective and efficient manner. Some...

Matthew Moore was born in Charlotte, North Carolina, and attended college at the University of North Carolina at Charlotte. During his undergraduate work, Matthew served as a member of the UNC Charlotte Pre-Law Society where he met his wife. He graduated on the Chancellor’s List, obtained a B.A. in Criminal Justice and Criminology and an Associate’s Degree in Spanish. While attending college, Matthew obtained a License from the North Carolina Justice Academy and became the youngest Concealed Carry Instructor in North Carolina. Upon graduation, Matthew attended law school where he served as a member of the Criminal Law Society, Family...

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,...

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...

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...