News

Musical chairs as lawyers switch firms

Pictured, from left, are (front row) Suzanna Waddell, Wendy Crook, Denise Hanks, Katherine McDowell, Mary Lou Shepherd, (back row) Amy Elkins, Caroline Knox, Meredith Calhoun.

By Bill Moss, Published: February 7, 2018

It looks like a game of musical chairs at the area's top law firms, as prominent attorneys switch addresses, form new partnerships and launch solo practices.

In the past two weeks, Caroline Knox, who was named president of Van Winkle Law Firm two years ago, left the firm to start her own solo practice. Another Van Winkle estate planning and probate specialist, Adam Shealy, left to go into a duo practice with Evan Gilreath. And Anderson Ellis, a Hendersonville native and president of the Henderson County Bar Association, has left Prince Youngblood & Massagee to join Van Winkle.

Meanwhile, Van Winkle, the largest Asheville-based law firm, announced last week that it had named four attorneys as principals.

Here's the roundup:

Knox goes solo

A certified specialist in Elder Law by the North Carolina State Bar, Knox is one of only 16 lawyers in the state currently designated as Certified Elder Law Attorneys by the National Elder Law Foundation. She advises clients on matters relating to guardianship, Medicaid and other public benefits planning. In addition, she often serves as trustee, guardian, Executor and attorney-in-fact under powers of attorney.

Caroline Knox“Legal services are about more than just the law,” Knox said in a news release. “It’s about developing relationships with clients, helping them navigate important decisions and achieving their goals. You have to understand people’s stories, their ambitions and oftentimes their fears. It’s a personal connection regardless of whether the client is an individual or a business.”

Joining Knox are legal assistant Mary Lou Shepherd, paralegals Amy Elkins and Meredith Calhoun, certified care manager Denise Hanks, Medicaid coordinator Wendy Crook, account specialist Katherine McDowell, administrative assistant Suzanna Waddell. Knox Law is at 16 Towne Place Drive in Towne Center off Greenville Highway. For more information visit www.cknoxelderlaw.com or call 828-513-1600.

Shealy, Gilreath team up

Hendersonville attorney Adam Shealy has joined Evan Gilreath to form a law firm specializing in estate law and probate.

Adam Shealy“He and I talking for a couple of years about forming a boutique law firm to focus on estate planning and administration,” said Shealy, who left a similar job at Van Winkle Law Firm to form the new firm.

Shealy, who has practiced for 21 years with Van Winkle, worked as a CPA before he earned his law degree from the University of Georgia. He brings two veteran paralegals to the new practice.

“My two paralegals have been with me all 20 years and Evan’s people have been with him for over 10 years and a couple have basically 30 years’ experience as administrative paralegals. Evan and I just felt like we have similar philosophies in the way we want to service our clients and the want to do things.”

The practice is in the HomeTrust bank building, 224 Sixth Avenue East.

Ellis joins Van Winkle

Ellis has joined the firm as an associate in its business practice group, taking on some of the responsibilities that Shealy had handled.

Anderson EllisIn his role at Van Winkle, Ellis will work with businesses in all phases of corporate life, including entity choice, formation, operations, sale/purchase and reorganizations. His background in litigation allows him to assist businesses of all sizes with a wide variety of issues that may arise. Ellis will be based out of the firm’s Hendersonville office.

Prior to joining Van Winkle, Ellis practiced with a firm in Hendersonville, handling criminal and civil litigation matters, including contract disputes, HOA/POA issues, and felony criminal charges. Ellis is also licensed in Tennessee and spent two years after law school practicing in Franklin outside Nashville.

He earned his bachelor’s degree from Wake Forest University and his law degree from the University of Mississippi. He is a member of the North Carolina State Bar, Tennessee State Bar, North Carolina Bar Association and 29B Judicial District Bar. He is admitted to practice in Tennessee State Courts, North Carolina State Courts, U.S. District Court for the Middle District of Tennessee, U.S. District Court for the Western District of North Carolina and the United States Supreme Court.

“Our leadership team is pleased to welcome Anderson to the firm,” said Steve Grabenstein, president of the Van Winkle Law Firm. “We know his experience in litigation and his involvement in the Hendersonville community will make him an excellent addition to our business practice team.”

Van Winkle’s business practice helps clients make legally sound decisions that are strategic and proactive. Its business attorneys work closely together to provide a comprehensive approach that spans several practice areas. Knowledgeable about taxation and business transactions, we counsel our clients regarding these and other relevant issues. Our hands-on approach has led to the success of many local businesses, including Fortune 500 companies and startup companies.

For more than 100 years, the attorneys at The Van Winkle Law Firm have provided a premier level of strategic legal counsel and services to meet clients’ personal, estate planning, commercial, business and litigation needs. Van Winkle is the largest law firm headquartered in Western North Carolina. With licensed attorneys serving clients in North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia, Tennessee and Virginia, the firm is one of the most respected in the region. For additional information, please visit www.vwlawfirm.com.

The Van Winkle Law Firm, the largest firm headquartered in Asheville, announced on Wednesday that it has promoted four attorneys to principal. They are Jackson Bebber, Ryan Coffield, Heather Whitaker Goldstein and William Heedy.
Bebber focuses his practice on general civil litigation, eminent domain defense, and commercial and residential real estate litigation. He currently serves on the UNC Law Alumni Association Board of Directors.
Coffield is the firm’s business practice group leader, where he works with small and mid-size businesses on all phases of corporate life, including entity choice, formation, ongoing operations, reorganizations and owner transition strategies. His experience in the areas of corporate and non-profit taxation allows him to provide a valuable, unique perspective on his clients’ legal issues.
Goldstein is an elder law attorney and focuses on incapacity planning, client advocacy and litigation in a wide variety of situations where an elderly person is vulnerable to exploitation. She assists clients with drafting powers of attorney, incompetency and guardianship proceedings, will contests, trust modifications, estate-related litigation, and claims by and against individuals who are serving as executor, trustee, or agent under a power of attorney. She also assists clients with creating estate plans and planning for long-term care public benefits, and she advises executors, trustees, and guardians on the administration of estates.
Heedy is a registered patent attorney having experience in all matters related to U.S. and foreign patent preparation and prosecution, trademarks and copyrights. He advises clients on matters relating to licensing, handling cease and desist disputes for patents and trademarks, and analyzing patent portfolios, including due diligence for patent portfolio acquisitions. Heedy is also a member of the firm’s litigation practice, where he focuses on matters relating to intellectual property.
“Congratulations to Jackson, Ryan, Heather and William on their advancement to principals with the firm,” said Steve Grabenstein, president of The Van Winkle Law Firm. “These attorneys are an integral part of our firm’s growth and are deeply committed to serving our clients. We are fortunate to have them on our team.”
For more than 100 years, the attorneys at The Van Winkle Law Firm have provided a premier level of strategic legal counsel and services to meet clients’ personal, estate planning, commercial, business, and litigation needs. With licensed attorneys serving clients in North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia, Tennessee and Virginia, the firm is one of the most respected in the region. For additional information, please visit www.vwlawfirm.com.