Lawyers in North Carolina

Finding a lawyer in North Carolina

North Carolina's legal market follows its economy: banking and corporate work in Charlotte, technology and university-related practice in the Research Triangle around Raleigh, Durham and Chapel Hill, and personal injury, family and criminal defense practices in every county seat from the coast to the mountains. Large military installations in the eastern part of the state also create demand for lawyers who understand how military service affects divorce, custody and consumer issues.

This directory organizes North Carolina law firms by practice area and city. Start with the problem you have, then look at firms that regularly appear in the county where your case will be heard.

When you need a lawyer (and when you may not)

Hire a North Carolina attorney early if you are charged with a crime, seriously injured, going through a divorce that involves children or property, facing removal proceedings, or being sued. North Carolina is one of the few states that still applies a contributory negligence rule in injury cases, which can bar a claim if the injured person shared any fault, so getting advice before you speak to an insurer is especially important here.

Small claims in North Carolina are heard by magistrates in a simplified process that many people navigate on their own. Uncontested matters and minor infractions are often handled without a lawyer too. If you are unsure, a first consultation, which many firms offer free or at a reduced fee, will tell you whether the case needs one.

Common practice areas in North Carolina

• Personal Injury and Car Accident — injury claims after crashes and other negligence, with particular attention to the fault rules mentioned above.
• Family & Divorce — separation and divorce, child custody, child support, alimony and equitable distribution of property in North Carolina district courts.
• Criminal Defense and DUI & DWI — defense in district and superior court; in North Carolina the impaired-driving offense is called DWI.
• Employment — wrongful discharge, wage claims and discrimination cases, a busy field in the Charlotte and Triangle job markets.
• Business — formation, contracts, shareholder disputes and commercial litigation, including the specialized business court that handles complex corporate cases.
• Real Estate — closings, title issues, easements and landlord-tenant matters; in North Carolina, attorneys traditionally handle residential closings.
• Workers' Compensation — injuries and occupational illnesses under the state system administered by the North Carolina Industrial Commission.
• Immigration, Bankruptcy and Social Security Disability — federal practice areas handled in federal courts and agencies.
• Estate Planning & Probate, Medical Malpractice, Tax, Intellectual Property, Civil Rights and Traffic Ticket complete the North Carolina categories.

How to check a lawyer's license in North Carolina

Lawyers in North Carolina are licensed and disciplined by the North Carolina State Bar, a mandatory regulatory agency. Do not confuse it with the North Carolina Bar Association, which is a voluntary professional organization. The State Bar's website has a member directory where you can confirm that an attorney is licensed and active and review any public disciplinary orders.

Look for an active status and read any disciplinary history before you hire. If a person offering legal services is not in the directory, they are not licensed to practice law in the state.

How to choose a law firm

Focus on experience in your practice area and in your judicial district. Procedures and local customs differ between a Mecklenburg County courtroom and a rural mountain county, and a lawyer who is there every week will know them.

Ask how the firm charges. Injury cases are commonly handled on a contingency fee, while family, criminal and business matters are billed hourly or as a flat fee. Ask about costs, retainers and what happens if the case ends early, and insist on a written agreement.

Find out who will actually work on your matter and how you can reach that person. Clear answers to these questions at the first meeting are a good sign.

Questions to ask at the first consultation

• How often do you handle cases like mine in this county?
• What is your honest view of the strengths and risks in my situation?
• Who at the firm will do the work, and who is my contact?
• How do you charge, what is extra, and can I have it in writing?
• What deadlines apply, and what should happen first?
• Is there anything I should stop saying or doing, for example to an insurer?
• How will you keep me informed?

Free and low-cost legal help

Legal Aid of North Carolina provides free civil legal services to low-income residents statewide in areas such as housing, family and benefits. The North Carolina Bar Association's Lawyer Referral Service connects callers with attorneys who offer a low-cost first consultation. The state courts publish self-help resources for people representing themselves, and the law schools in the Triangle and elsewhere run clinics that accept selected cases. A person charged with a crime who cannot afford a lawyer may ask the court to appoint one.

This page is general information, not legal advice. Laws change and every case is different — talk to a licensed North Carolina attorney about your situation.