Checking In: March 24, 2026
Compiled by Jessica Junqueira
Smith Debnam Selects Partner
Melissa Tulis Smith is now a partner with the firm. Smith has been a part of the firm’s Consumer Collections practice group since 2020. Prior to joining the firm, she gained experience in civil litigation with a focus on property, construction and landlord-tenant disputes. Smith, who is originally from Raleigh, received her undergraduate degree in philosophy and romance languages from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. She graduated from Campbell Law School. Smith serves as the 2025-2026 chair of the NCBA Litigation Section and as the Membership Committee Chair for the North Carolina Creditors Bar Association. She is licensed to practice law in North Carolina, South Carolina and Virginia.
Tuggle Duggins Welcomes New Associate
Joshua Plummer is now an associate attorney with Tuggle Duggins. He is a member of the Commercial Real Estate practice with the firm. Plummer graduated from Wake Forest University School of Law in 2023. While in law school, he was a teaching assistant, research assistant and participant in the Veteran’s Legal Clinic. Prior to going to law school, Plummer served in the United States Marine Corps. He retired as a major in 2019. Before joining Tuggle Duggins P.A., he practiced law in Winston-Salem. He holds his undergraduate degree from Purdue University, where he graduated with distinction and was a member of the naval ROTC.
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Martin H. Brinkley has been selected as a 2026 Carolina Alumni Award recipient by the University of North Carolina’s Alumni Association. Brinkley and other honorees will be recognized in a ceremony on April 17. Brinkley is a Kenan Distinguished Professor at Carolina Law, where he teaches first year property, business associations and legal history. He served as the dean of UNC School of Law from 2015 to 2025. He is a graduate of UNC School of Law, where he served as executive articles editor for the North Carolina Law Review. Prior to law school, he studied papyrology at the University of Cologne’s Institute for Ancient Studies. Brinkley received an A.B. degree in classics from Harvard University. He was a clerk to Chief Judge Sam J. Ervin, III of the United States Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit. He practiced corporate law in Raleigh for 22 years.
The American College of Consumer Financial Services Lawyers (ACCFSL) has elected Christy W. Hancock as a fellow. Hancock, along with the new class of fellows, will be honored in Atlanta at the organization’s annual dinner on April 18. Hancock is a partner in the firm’s Charlotte office. She assists mortgage servicing and financial institution clients. Hancock is a co-leader of the Banking & Financial Services Practice Group and the co-chair of the Home Equity Lending team and the Bankruptcy Compliance & Consumer Bankruptcy Litigation team. She holds her law degree from the University of North Carolina School of Law and her bachelor’s degree from the University of South Carolina.
Kim Tyson has launched K Tyson Law in Charlotte. The firm serves clients throughout North Carolina and nationwide on federal tax matters, including charitable giving, disputes with the IRS, federal tax litigation and IRS collections. Tyson has over 20 years of experience working on tax issues at the IRS Office of Chief Counsel and the U.S. Tax Court. At the IRS, Kim advised revenue agents and litigated cases in the Large Business & International and Litigation & Advisory Divisions. During her tenure, Kim was an IRS subject matter expert on penalties and a nationwide legal advisor on syndicated conservation easements. She was repeatedly recognized for outstanding contributions to the agency, including being awarded IRS Office of Chief Counsel Attorney of the Year among field attorneys nationwide. She received an LL.M. from Georgetown University Law Center, a law degree from the University of Baltimore School of Law and a bachelor’s degree from Frostburg State University.
Courtney Achee is now a partner with the firm. She is a member of the Cybersecurity and Privacy and Banking and Financial Services practice groups. Achee advises clients in matters of compliance under federal statutes and regulations, state privacy and data security laws, and global data protection laws. She holds a CIPP/U.S. designation from the International Association of Privacy Professionals. She received her law degree with honors from the University of North Carolina School of Law and her bachelor’s degree, cum laude, from the University of California at Santa Cruz.
Afi Johnson-Parris was elected chair of the Community Foundation of Greater Greensboro. Johnson-Parris will serve a two-year term in her role, which she began on January 1. She previously served as chair-elect of the board. She will guide the foundation as it works to impact the city through coming alongside nonprofits, managing projects in the community and assisting in creating charitable funds. Johnson-Parris is a partner at Fox Rothschild, where she practices in the Family Law Department. She is a North Carolina Board Certified Family Law Specialist. She represents clients in matters of family law. Johnson-Parris serves as a board member of the North Carolina Bar Foundation and the NC Equal Access to Justice Foundation. She received her law degree from the University of Virginia School of Law, her MBA from the University of Phoenix, Southern Colorado and her bachelor’s degree from the University of Miami, where she held an Air Force ROTC academic scholarship.
Diana Santos Johnson has joined the Kahn School of Law as Assistant Director of Law School Career Development. Before joining the Kahn School of Law, she practiced bankruptcy law for private law firms, solo practices and organizations providing legal services. Santos Johnson is a North Carolina State Bar Board Certified Specialist in Consumer Bankruptcy Law. She is the recipient of several awards, including the National Conference of Bankruptcy Judges Honorable Cornelius Blackshear Fellowship (2012) and the North Carolina Bar Association Citizen Lawyer Award (2024). She was inducted into the North Carolina Pro Bono Society in 2017 and 2018 and from 2021 through 2024. She holds a law degree from North Carolina Central University School of Law and a bachelor’s degree in Spanish from Wake Forest University.
Olivia Nieri has joined the firm’s Raleigh office, where she is a member of the Insurance practice group. She focuses on complex coverage issues, which include first- and third-party claims, as well as litigation and counseling. She graduated from the University of North Carolina School of Law in 2025, where she served as notes editor of the North Carolina Journal of Law and Technology. She holds a bachelor’s degree in psychology from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.
Stephanie Gumm practices civil and commercial litigation. She represents clients in matters of litigation in North Carolina at the state and federal level. She served as an active-duty member of the U.S. Army for eight years, and served on combat tours for three of those years. She holds a law degree, magna cum laude, from Campbell Law School and a bachelor’s degree, cum laude, from Campbell University. She serves as a Guardian ad Litem Appellate Counsel with the North Carolina Guardian ad Litem Pro Bono Attorney Program.
Cosmo Zinkow practices business disputes and appeals and is on the appellate team with the firm. He represents businesses, government entities and individuals in a variety of lawsuits. He has practiced in state and federal appellate courts. He served as an active-duty member of the U.S. Marine Corps for seven years. During his service, he was deployed overseas multiple times. He left the military in 2009 before becoming the director of technology for several different companies. He received his law degree, magna cum laude, from Campbell Law School, and his bachelor’s degree, magna cum laude, in criminal justice from North Carolina Central University.
Scott A. DeAngelis represents clients in transactional matters. He focuses on leveraged finance and other debt financing transactions. He represents business development companies, small business investment companies, private funds, and other lenders and borrowers. He received his law degree and his doctorate from Vanderbilt University. He also holds a bachelor’s degree from Coe College.
Katherine A. Grant is a corporate attorney who focuses her practice on mergers and acquisitions, private investments and general corporate law. She represents private equity groups and companies in acquisitions, dispositions and other investment transactions. She counsels companies on corporate and commercial matters. She holds a law degree and a bachelor’s degree from the University of Virginia.
Kristin L. Hendrickson represents clients in transactional matters and focuses on mergers and acquisitions and general corporate law. She represents private equity sponsors and their portfolio companies in acquisitions, dispositions and other investment transactions. She holds a law degree with high honors from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. She received her bachelor’s degree magna cum laude with honors from the University of South Carolina Honors College.
Curtis C. Strubinger advises partnerships, corporations and individuals on the tax aspects of complex transactions. He focuses his practice on providing tax advice to private investment funds throughout their lifecycle. He has worked with founders and investors on Section 1202 qualified business stock, stock options and other issues affecting startups. He holds a law degree, magna cum laude, from Duke University School of Law. He received a bachelor’s degree and a master’s degree in accountancy, summa cum laude, from the University of Missouri.
Spencer T. Wiles is a business litigator who focuses on complex disputes. He represents clients in litigation and arbitration, with a focus on resolving construction-related issues, which include defect, delay and payment disputes. He has a sports and entertainment practice in which he has managed disputes in the motorsports field, as well as other professional leagues and college athletics. He graduated magna cum laude from Washington and Lee University School of Law and holds a bachelor’s degree, summa cum laude, from Hampden-Sydney College.
Christopher Watford is now a partner with the firm. He practices appellate advocacy, guardianship and complex litigation. He focuses his practice on high-stakes appellate and civil litigation. He serves as treasurer and member of the Board of Directors of the North Carolina Guardianship Association. He holds a law degree from Campbell Law School and a bachelor’s degree from Appalachian State University.
Landon G. Van Winkle is now a partner with the firm. He is a member of the firm’s construction law, business litigation, and bankruptcy teams. Van Winkle, who joined Smith Debnam in 2020, is a Board Certified Specialist in Business and Consumer Bankruptcy Law. He represents financial institutions and businesses in litigation, bankruptcy and restructuring matters. Van Winkle is licensed to practice in all federal districts in North Carolina and the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit. Van Winkle previously served in the U.S. Marine Corps. He received multiple honors, including the Navy Achievement Medal and the Iraq Campaign Medal. He serves as the Vice Chair of the Webinars & Podcasts Subcommittee of the American Bar Association’s Business Bankruptcy Committee. He holds a law degree, summa cum laude, from Campbell Law School, and a bachelor’s degree from the University of Hawai’i West O’ahu.
Andrew “Drew” Felts practices commercial real estate law. He represents developers, investors, landlords, tenants, lenders and other market participants. He has advised clients in matters of renewable energy. He is licensed in North Carolina, South Carolina and West Virginia. He holds a law degree from West Virginia University College of Law and a bachelor’s degree from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.
Kelly Otis works with purchasers, sellers, and developers through every stage of commercial real estate transactions. These include acquisitions, development, financing, leasing and dispositions. She has assisted clients with complex title issues and the impacts of development. She holds a law degree from Wake Forest University School of Law and a bachelor’s degree from Purdue University.
Jasmine Pitt practices commercial litigation in state and federal courts. She has experience in complex business disputes, insurance coverage matters and bad faith litigation involving various commercial policies. She holds a law degree from Wake Forest University School of Law and a bachelor’s degree from Wake Forest University. 
John David “J.D.” Koesters has joined Baker Donelson as a shareholder. He will practice in the Government Enforcement and Investigations Group. Koesters previously served as an Assistant United States Attorney. He advises organizations and individuals navigating internal investigations, False Claims Act allegations, government enforcement actions, complex litigation and cybersecurity risks. While serving as an Assistant U.S. attorney, Koesters led multi-agency investigations into transnational criminal operations. Koesters also served as a U.S. Army Judge Advocate, in which he counseled cyber protection teams and completed a combat tour in Afghanistan. He received the Bronze Star for his military service in Operation Enduring Freedom. Koesters is a Certified Information Privacy Professional. He received his law degree from Wake Forest University School of Law and his bachelor’s degree from the University of Tennessee.
Paul Cox is experienced in election law, campaign finance issues, complex litigation and regulatory advice and policy. He previously was General Counsel to the North Carolina State Board of Elections and Special Deputy Attorney General at the North Carolina Department of Justice. He served as a clerk to Raymond Fisher of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit. Prior to becoming an attorney, he worked as a public relations professional and policy aide for federal political campaigns and elected officials. He holds a law degree from the University of California Berkeley School of Law and a bachelor’s degree from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.
Emily Steele works with institutional investors, developers and nonprofit organizations in acquisitions, dispositions and joint ventures. She assists clients in matters such as commercial real estate projects, which include drafting purchase and sale agreements, preparing closing checklists and conducting title, survey, and zoning reviews. She holds a law degree from Wake Forest University School of Law. While in law school, she was the managing editor of the Wake Forest Journal of Business and Intellectual Property. She received a bachelor’s degree from North Carolina State University. 
Gaaron U. Goldsmith will practice on the Commercial Real Estate team and will be involved in helping clients in matters such as the purchase, sale, development, and leasing of property. Goldsmith previously was a clerk with a local firm whose focus was construction, insurance and banking. He was a clerk to a North Carolina Superior Court Judge in Wake County. He graduated from the University of North Carolina School of Law in 2025. While in law school, he was recognized as a Dean’s Fellow, served as a mentor to first-year law students and was a staff member of the North Carolina Journal of International Law. Goldsmith earned his bachelor’s degree with distinction from the University of North Carolina.
Troy Reid has joined the firm’s Litigation team, where he will assist clients with commercial and business litigation, employment, construction disputes, estate disputes and other litigation matters. Reid previously was a summer litigation clerk with Carruthers & Roth. Reid received his law degree from the University of North Carolina School of Law in 2025. There, he served as chair on the Dean’s Advisory Council and as president of the Carolina Law Ambassadors, and he participated in the Pro Bono Program. He holds a bachelor’s degree from North Carolina State University, where he graduated summa cum laude. Reid earned a North Carolina Real Estate License and is a licensed private pilot.
Chad Essick was elected to serve as the next managing partner of Poyner Spruill. Essick succeeded Dan Cahill, who is also an NCBA member. Cahill served as the firm’s managing partner since 2017. Essick represents clients in real estate acquisition and development. His primary focus is land use, zoning and entitlements. He represents land owners and developers before local Boards of Adjustment, Planning Commissions, City Councils and County Commissioners on matters including zoning, permitting, variances, annexations, special use permits, site plans and more. Essick previously served as chair of the NCBA Zoning, Planning & Land Use Section (2019-2020). He holds a law degree from Campbell Law School and a bachelor’s degree, summa cum laude, from North Carolina State University.
A. Caroline Austin has joined the firm, where she will practice with the Divorce and Family Law practice group. Austin represents clients in issues such as equitable distribution, child custody and support, domestic violence protective orders and prenuptial and postnuptial agreements. She holds a law degree from Campbell School of Law; there, she was a Dean’s Excellence Scholar. She received a bachelor’s degree in psychology, cum laude, from the University of Alabama.
Lukas Epps-Dawson has joined the firm, where he focuses his practice on civil litigation and insurance law. Prior to joining the firm, he served as a clerk to Judge Julee T. Flood at the North Carolina Court of Appeals. He received his law degree magna cum laude from Campbell Law School in 2024. While in law school, he was a Bluebook Editor on the Campbell Law Review. Prior to going to law school, he received a bachelor’s degree in English and government from Hampden-Sydney College.
Kathrynn D. Johnston has joined the firm. Her practice is focused on trusts and estates, tax planning, business law and related matters. She graduated magna cum laude from Campbell Law School in 2025, where she served as Publication Editor for Campbell Law Review and on the boards of several student organizations, including Women in Law. She received a master’s degree in intercultural studies from Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary and a bachelor’s degree from Louisiana Christian University.
After practicing law in the nonprofit arena for almost 30 years, Suzanne Chester has opened her own small practice where she focuses on child-centered family law services. She spent most of her career at Legal Aid of North Carolina where she provided legal services for low-income clients in child custody, domestic violence, landlord tenant, and fair housing litigation. She spent the last eleven years directing The Child’s Advocate at LANC and promoting legal representation for children at the national level. Chester earned a Ph.D. in the humanities from Louisiana State University and a J.D. from UNC School of Law.
Ralph Strayhorn is now of counsel with the firm. Strayhorn has more than 40 years of experience in executive leadership in banking and other industries. He is executive chairman of New Republic Partners, Inc. and New Republic Bank in Charlotte, where he formerly served as president and CEO. Strayhorn was appointed by the governor and reappointed by the speaker of the House to serve as chair of the Golden LEAF Foundation. Strayhorn graduated from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, where he received his undergraduate degree, and from UNC School of Law.
Jonathon Woodruff is a partner with the firm. He joined Law Firm Carolinas in 2021, and his practice is focused on representing community associations, including HOAs and condominium associations. Woodruff has experience in civil law and criminal law. He supervises the firm’s association assessment collections practice. He has been involved in his community through service with Blanchard Community Law Clinic, the Restorative Justice Clinic and Shiloh Missionary Baptist Church. Woodruff, who is a native of Winston-Salem, earned his J.D. from Campbell Law School, where he served as the president of the Black Law Student Association and as the 3L representative for the Student Bar Association. He holds a bachelor’s degree in psychology from North Carolina Central University.
Stacy Ackermann has been appointed Global Managing Partner. Ackermann has practiced with the firm since 2012, and she previously served on the Management Committee for six years. Ackermann spearheads the firm’s global finance practice. She represents lenders, servicers, investors, and other market participants in all aspects of various financial and credit market transactions. She focuses on structured finance, primarily commercial mortgage-backed and CRE CLO securitization transactions. She graduated magna cum laude from the University of South Carolina School of Law, where she was a member of the Order of the Coif. She holds a bachelor’s degree, cum laude, from Furman University.
Margaret Raymer is now an associate attorney based in the Raleigh office. Raymer’s practice is focused on education law. She provides counsel to local school boards and public school systems. She helps clients with various matters in education law, such as special education issues, student discipline and personnel matters. She graduated from Campbell Law School, where she was the managing editor of Campbell Law Review. She served with the Lawyers and Leaders Program as vice president. Prior to law school, she worked with Teach for America as a sixth-grade science teacher. She holds a bachelor’s degree from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.