Checking In: September 19, 2023

Compiled by Jessica Junqueira

Edwards Beightol Adds New Attorneys

Lama Sinno has joined the firm as of counsel. She has practiced law for 22 years. She has experience representing clients in workers’ compensation, social security, and employment claims; parents in abuse, neglect, and dependency claims filed by the Department of Social Services; juveniles in delinquency claims; and clients who have been charged with committing crimes. She has served as a Guardian ad Litem, and she has volunteered with the Junior Women’s League of Smithfield, My Kids Club, and the Juvenile Crime Prevention Committee. She is a graduate of Campbell Law School (2001) and the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, where she earned a bachelor’s degree in political science.

Jennifer L. Crawford, a trial lawyer, is now an attorney with the firm. Crawford is a member of the firm’s team handling Camp Lejeune Justice Act Cases. She received a B.A. from Muskingum University, where she earned highest honors. Crawford graduated from Campbell Law School in 2001. While in law school, she was a member of the Trial Advocacy Team and received The Barrister’s Award. After graduating from law school, she practiced with a criminal defense firm. Then, she joined the Wake County District Attorney’s office on the prosecutorial side. She served on the Governor’s Task Force for Domestic Violence, and in 2007, she moved to the Wake County Magistrate’s Office. She volunteers at a local nursing home and at the With Love from Jesus food pantry.

Hannah, Sheridan, & Cochran Welcomes New Attorney

Carter, a white man with brown hair, wears a white shirt, grey tie, and black suit.

Carter Cole has joined the firm. Cole, a native of Cary, earned a bachelor’s degree in political science from North Carolina State University. He is especially interested in wills, estates, wealth management, and trusts. He is a 2021 graduate of Campbell School of Law, where he served as a class representative for Campbell’s Student Bar Association and participated in the  Advocacy Program. He was recognized as the recipient of the Book Award in his estate planning class. Cole also earned a Master of Trust and Wealth Management degree, summa cum laude, from Campbell University’s Lundy-Fetterman School of Business (2021).

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Checking In: August 22, 2023

Compiled by Jessica Junqueira

Collins Family & Elder Law Group Adds New Attorney

Shayna, a white woman with long brown hair, wears a white blouse and black suit.

Shayna Matheny is now an attorney with the firm, and she will practice in the Monroe office. She earned a J.D. from North Carolina Central University School of Law and was the valedictorian of her class. While in law school, she served as a teaching assistant, volunteered with NCCU’s Elder Law Clinic to assist local residents with estate planning documents, and was a participant in the NCCU Family Law Clinic. In 2019, she served as a law clerk for former Chief Justice Cheri Beasley. She holds a bachelor’s degree in jurisprudence from California University of Pennsylvania.

Fox Rothschild LLP Announces New Attorney

John Hodnette

John G. Hodnette is now of counsel with the firm. He has joined the Taxation and Wealth Planning Department. Hodnette advises clients in matters of business taxation, which include structuring merger and acquisition transactions; resolving partnership, S corporation and C corporation tax issues; and researching complex income taxation matters. He is a member of the NCBA Tax Section and has written blog posts published on the section’s NCBarBlog page. He holds an LL.M. from the University of Florida Levin College of Law, and a J.D. from Wake Forest University School of Law. He earned a bachelor’s degree, summa cum laude, from Auburn University.

Horton & Mendez, PLLC, Welcomes New Attorney

Alan, a white man with dark brown hair, wears a white shirt, crimson tie, and grey suit.

Alan Castro has joined the personal injury law practice in Wilmington, where he will represent clients in personal injury and workers’ compensation cases. He has previous experience in personal injury law and contract public defense work. Castro graduated from the Charleston School of Law. Following law school, he practiced employment, business and corporate, and personal injury law in Charleston. He is a 2014 graduate of Charleston Southern University, where he received a bachelor’s degree in American history.

Two Attorneys Join Robinson & Lawing, LLP

Bryan, a white man with brown hair, wears a white shirt, grey tie, and black suit.

Bryan Thompson is now an attorney with the firm. He focuses on elder law, wills and estate planning, trust and estate administration, and corporate law. He has argued before state and federal courts and federal and state regulatory entities. He graduated cum laude from Campbell Law School in 1999 and holds a bachelor’s degree in political science from Appalachian State University (1995).

Christopher, a white man with red hair and a beard, wears a blue tie, white shirt, and grey suit.

Christopher Watford has joined the firm. He focuses on administrative law, appellate litigation, family law, guardianship and special proceedings. He graduated from Campbell Law School in 2008, and he holds a bachelor’s degree in history and secondary education from Appalachian State University, where he graduated in 2000.

Checking In: July 25, 2023

Compiled by Jessica Junqueira

Capital Ready Mix Concrete Adds New Executive Vice President of HR and General Counsel

Zeke, a white man with brown hair, wears a bright blue polo shirt.Zeke Bridges joined Capital Ready Mix Concrete as Executive Vice President of HR and General Counsel. As an Executive Vice President, he develops and implements human resource strategies that align with the overall business objectives that support the company’s success. He is also the chief legal officer at Capital as general counsel. He provides strategic legal advice to the CEO and her leadership team, manages legal risks, ensures compliance, and protects the company’s interests across a broad spectrum of legal matters. Bridges served as Vice Dean at Campbell Law School (2020-2023) and Assistant Dean of Administration (2014-2020). He was an adjunct professor at Campbell (2015-2023). Bridges graduated from Campbell Law School and from the University of Georgia, where he double majored in political science and criminal justice.

Nelson Mullins Announces New Partner

Andrew, a white man with brown hair and a beard, wears a white shirt, blue tie and black jacket. Drew Heath has joined the firm as a partner. He practices with the government relationships team in Raleigh. Heath served with the North Carolina Supreme Court as the chief justice’s director of the Administrative Office of the Courts. He also worked as the state budget director on the North Carolina governor’s senior leadership team and as the secretary for the Council of State and chairman of the North Carolina Industrial Commission. He served as a Superior Court judge in Raleigh from 2017 to April 2023. He graduated from Indiana University’s Robert H. McKinney School of Law. He received an L.L.M. from Nottingham Law School and a B.S. from the University of North Carolina Asheville.

North Carolina Department of Justice Elevates McGhee to Director of the Consumer Protection Division

Jasmine, a Black woman with black hair, wears a grey suit. In April, Jasmine McGhee was promoted to Senior Deputy Attorney General and Director of the Consumer Protection Division at the North Carolina Department of Justice. The division is responsible for consumer protection, antitrust, and economic justice enforcement and litigation, complaint mediation, and related policy issues. Prior to this role, she was Special Deputy Attorney General/Director of the Public Protection Section, where she directed public safety and civil rights policy at NCDOJ and served as lead counsel for the Governor’s Task Force for Racial Equity in Criminal Justice, which in 2020, published 125 recommendations to improve fairness in the state’s criminal justice system. McGhee holds a J.D. from Columbia Law School. While in law school, she was a member of the Columbia Law Review and a Paul Robeson Scholar. She received her undergraduate degree in history from UNC, where she graduated with honors and distinction.

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