Checking In: October 28, 2025
Compiled by Jessica Junqueira
Carruthers & Roth, P.A. Adds Two New Associates
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.
Poyner Spruill Selects Managing Partner
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.
Smith Debnam Announces New Attorney
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.
Two Attorneys Join Young Moore
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.