Checking In: October 27, 2026

Compiled by Jessica Junqueira

Hook Law announces new office in Chapel Hill

A four-story office building is shown, and the front is on the right-hand side. There are windows on the building and trees by the entrance. Hook Law has opened a new office in Chapel Hill. The firm focuses on probate, administration, estate planning and elder law. The firm’s new office is located at Exchange West, 1414 Raleigh Rd., Suite 230, Chapel Hill, NC 27517. Hook Law will offer a range of estate planning, wealth transfer, trust and estate administration, elder law and related services, with an initial emphasis on estate planning and wealth transfer, trust and estate administration, and elder law. The new office will provide services to clients across the state and both in-person and virtual appointments.

Littler Mendelson P.C. announces new Littler CaseSmart Counsel

Trisha, a white woman with dark brown hair wears a white suit. Trisha Barfield has joined the firm. She has previous experience practicing commercial litigation with a focus on management-side labor and employment defense and construction. At Littler, she will focus on representing employers in administrative charges before administrative agencies. She served as a board member with the North Carolina Association of Women Attorneys from 2018-2020. She graduated from Elon University School of Law and holds a bachelor’s degree from Methodist University.

Chad Essick will serve as general counsel for Raleigh Chamber of Commerce

Chad, a white man with brown and grey hair, wears a white shirt, yellow tie and grey suit. Poyner Spruill announced that Chad Essick was named as general counsel for the Raleigh Chamber of Commerce. Essick serves as managing partner with Poyner Spruill. The Raleigh Chamber is a business membership organization with more than 1,800 member firms. In this role, Essick will offer legal guidance and support to the Chamber. Essick has more than 20 years of experience advising clients on land use, zoning, real estate development, and local government matters in North Carolina. He served as the Chair of the NCBA Zoning, Planning & Land Use Section from 2019 to 2020. He holds a law degree from Campbell Law School and a bachelor’s degree, summa cum laude, from NC State University.