Business Details
50 Years
experience
Your Trusted Legal Partner in Charlotte, NC
Established in 1976, Essex Richards has built a reputation on professional ethics, personalized service, and delivering high-level legal advice to clients in Charlotte and across North Carolina. Our firm combines decades of collective experience with a commitment to innovation, integrating modern technology with traditional client-focused values. We serve businesses, families, and individuals through diverse practice areas while maintaining a mid-sized structure that fosters collaboration and personal connections among attorneys. Our lawyers consistently hold leadership roles in community organizations, reflecting our dedication to civic engagement and improving the Charlotte region. Client trust remains central to our success, with most new clients arriving through referrals from satisfied individuals and professionals who recognize our consistent delivery of strategic, practical legal solutions.
Services
Bankruptcy Law
Family Law
Business Law
Real Estate Litigation
Estate Planning
Appellate Advocacy
Construction Litigation
Insurance Disputes
Served areas
- Charlotte
Details
- Year established: 1976
Highlights and features
- Serving Charlotte clients since 1976 with proven legal expertise
- Multi-practice firm offering comprehensive legal solutions
- Recognized in Best Lawyers and Super Lawyers listings
- Deep community involvement and local knowledge
- Client referrals drive growth through trusted representation
What people say
Excellent legal counsel
Personalized attention
Community involvement
Strategic solutions
Trusted referrals
Services
Bankruptcy Law
Our bankruptcy attorneys assist individuals and businesses with Chapter 7 and Chapter 13 filings, debt restructuring, and creditor negotiations. We provide strategic guidance through complex bankruptcy proceedings while maintaining personal attention to each client's unique financial situation. With decades of experience in debtor-creditor relations, we help clients achieve financial fresh starts while protecting their rights throughout the process.
Family Law
We handle all aspects of family law including divorce, child custody, alimony, and property division. Our attorneys prioritize understanding clients' personal circumstances to develop tailored solutions that minimize conflict. With certified mediators on staff, we often resolve matters amicably while aggressively advocating for clients' interests in contested cases across Charlotte and Mecklenburg County.
Business Law
Our business law practice supports companies from formation through growth and succession planning. Services include contract drafting, mergers and acquisitions, commercial real estate transactions, and dispute resolution. We combine legal expertise with practical business insight to help clients navigate regulatory requirements and position their businesses for long-term success in North Carolina's evolving marketplace.
Real Estate Litigation
We represent clients in residential and commercial real estate disputes covering contract breaches, boundary issues, title claims, and landlord-tenant conflicts. Our litigation team combines deep knowledge of North Carolina property law with trial experience to achieve favorable outcomes through negotiation, mediation, or courtroom advocacy when necessary.
Estate Planning
Our estate planning services include wills, trusts, power of attorney documents, and probate administration. We help families protect assets and plan for future healthcare and financial decisions. With experienced probate paralegals on staff, we guide executors through the administration process while minimizing family conflicts and ensuring compliance with North Carolina estate laws.
People
Norris A. Adams, II
Attorney
Experienced litigator focusing on appellate advocacy and complex legal disputes. Provides strategic counsel to clients navigating high-stakes litigation matters in North Carolina courts. Committed to community service through local legal initiatives.
Robert S. Blair Jr
Attorney
Family law specialist with extensive mediation experience. Advocates for clients in divorce, custody, and property division cases while prioritizing amicable resolutions. Active member of Charlotte legal community for decades.
Bree Laughrun
Attorney
Dedicated family law practitioner emphasizing personalized client service. Combines legal expertise with understanding of emotional aspects in domestic cases. Serves Charlotte families with compassionate yet effective representation.
John C. Woodman
Attorney
Seasoned litigator handling business disputes and commercial conflicts. Provides strategic legal solutions for complex civil matters in state and federal courts across North Carolina.
Genny Dausman
Firm Administrator
Legal management professional with 35+ years experience overseeing law firm operations. Coordinates administrative functions and staff development at Essex Richards since 2022.
Questions
What practice areas does Essex Richards handle?
We provide legal services in bankruptcy, family law, business law, real estate litigation, estate planning, and multiple other practice areas.
What areas do you serve?
We primarily serve Charlotte and Mecklenburg County, with clients across North Carolina and occasional representation beyond state borders.
How do I schedule an appointment?
Contact our office by phone or through our website contact form to arrange a consultation with an attorney.
Is Essex Richards involved in the community?
Our attorneys hold leadership roles in organizations like the American Red Cross, United Way, and local legal associations.
Reviews (6)
Stephen Mcgee
Oct 05, 2020
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John Woodman helped me with a Corporate Bankruptcy. He was very professional through the whole ordeal and explained all options that we had. I would recommend his services to anyone who needs them.
Meghan Hamrock
Oct 05, 2020
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John Woodman has been a tremendous support for all of my legal needs. He and his team are professional, knowledgeable, and honest. I would highly recommend working with Essex Richards.
Jessica Reed
Oct 05, 2020
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Essex Richards not only provides excellent legal services they truly care about your well being. We retained their services during a very difficult time and was well represented. They also cared about seeing the best results with the least emotional and financial impact. Essex Richards was truly a God send and blessing to us.
Lee Rogers
Oct 05, 2020
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Norris Adams went above and beyond to assist me in settling my disability claim. Without a doubt, I would not have been able to have the successful outcome without his and Tonas expertise.
Christy Burrow
Oct 05, 2020
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Caitlin Walton worked so very diligently on my case. While fighting for justice to be served, she also was there for me on a personal level. I had 100% confidence in her ability. She kept me informed throughout the process, as well as, included me in the decision making. I highly recommend Caitlin!
Victoria P.
Aug 14, 2015
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I wanted to express my gratitude for Essex Richards working on my case the last three years. Id like to thank everyone on my team especially Norris Adams and Tona Ravenelle. Im sure there will be more issues to come but with all of you in my corner I have complete faith and trust.