Checking In: October 28, 2025

The Law Offices of James Scott Farrin Welcome New Attorney

Julie, a white woman with golden brown hair, wears a white blouse and black jacket.Julie Gugenheim has joined the personal injury team at James Scott Farrin. Gugenheim has more than 30 years of experience. She served as assistant district attorney in Texas and as senior trial counsel for a major insurance company. She has twenty years of experience advocating for the elderly population in matters of nursing home and assisted living negligence. She holds a bachelor’s degree in political science from Florida State University. She earned her law degree from Cumberland School of Law.

Poyner Spruill Selects Managing Partner

Chad, a white man with grey hair, wears a white shirt, gold tie and dark grey jacket.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

Caroline, a white woman with blond hair, wears a white button down shirt and black blazer.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, a white man with brown hair and glasses, wears a white shirt, burgundy tie and black jacket.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, a white woman with brown hair, wears a blue blouse and black jacket.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.

 

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