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I am a native of Asheville, North Carolina and had the opportunity to begin my legal career with the Buncombe County Public Defender’s Office in 2004 where I represented indigent defendants and juveniles charged with a wide range of criminal offenses. It was a wonderful experience to provide legal services to the community. I entered private practice in 2005 and continued to represent clients charged with serious felonies and gained experience in the areas of family law and personal injury. In 2007, I launched my own firm and have worked hard to build a reputation in Western North Carolina as an attorney with vast knowledge in criminal law, and with an understanding of the practical dynamics of the local criminal court system. Advocating for the best possible outcome for my clients while making them aware of the variables related to their case is my practice philosophy.. When I am not practicing law, I support animal rescue efforts and enjoy running, cycling, fishing and conservation efforts.

I'm a former prosecutor practicing exclusively in the areas of Criminal, DWI, and Traffic Law.

We are here to help you get your life back on track and get you the information you need to make the right decisions about moving forward with your case.. Effectively navigating a DWI charge and its consequences begins with planning. During our initial consultation we want to learn about the details of your arrest and the impact the DWI charge is having on your life, so that we can provide sound legal advice on your next steps.. We will work together to create a detailed Action Plan on your case. This Action Plan will give you a to do list and explain how we plan to proceed as your attorney.. Getting the best result on your case means having the best information when making important decisions. We want to be the information hub when it comes to answering questions about the courtroom, driving, and life consequences of your DWI charge.

Anthony Tuorto graduated from Vermont Law School and completed an externship in the Buncombe County Public Defender's Office. Anthony served for several years as an Assistant District Attorney in Henderson, Polk, and Transylvania Counties before entering private practice. His years in the public sector have given him the opportunity to try hundreds of cases, spend countless hours in the courtroom, and develop expertise in all aspects of criminal law.

Before opening his own practice, Mike served with the Public Defenders Office in Buncombe County, where he gained in-depth experience handling a range of criminal cases.  At present, he gives back to the legal community by mentoring new attorneys.  He is also a member of the North Carolina Advocates for Justice as well as the North Carolina and Buncombe County Bar Associations.. Mike is committed to working hard to secure the results his clients need.

As a former Prosecutor and a Board Certified Specialist in Criminal Law, Dustin has extensive litigation experience in courts all over Western Carolina. He has handled cases ranging from petty misdemeanors to 1st Degree Murder and Seven Figure Traumatic Injury cases. He has tried over 50 Jury trials to verdict and is ready to help you with your legal needs, big and small.

I believe that every person charged with a criminal offense deserves a fair trial and equal treatment under the Law.  I try to treat all of my clients with the same dignity and respect that I feel the law is supposed to afford us all.  Therefore, when I represent you, it is important to me that you walk away knowing you received the best possible legal representation.. My time as an Assistant District Attorney gave me the experience and knowledge necessary to defend your rights and go to trial when appropriate.  The decision to plea, negotiate or go to trial are yours and yours alone.  However, I will give you an honest assessment of the situation from an experienced trial lawyer and the law in relation to it so that your decision is an informed one.. Call our office and come in for a free initial consultation.  When you leave, I guarantee you'll know exactly where you are in the court process, and either I or my staff will answer any questions you may have about what to expect next.”

Attorney Kristi Haddock was born and raised in Cary, North Carolina. A true hometown attorney, she knows how much central North Carolina has changed over the past 30 years. Kristi recognizes the issues her clients face in growing cities that lack good public transportation. For that reason, Attorney Haddock is committed to helping her clients restore their license.. Prior to starting her own firm, Kristi worked as a criminal defense attorney for four years and enjoyed successfully defending a wide variety of misdemeanors, felonies, and traffic offenses both in and around Wake County. Kristi also successfully represented clients at numerous DMV license restoration hearings. Prior to her time working as a defense attorney, Kristi served as a volunteer Assistant District Attorney, during which she prosecuted countless cases in Wake County. Kristi is committed to being both a zealous advocate and caring counselor for her clients. Her reviews, speak for themselves.. Kristi graduated Summa Cum Laude from East Carolina University (Go Pirates!), and went on to accept a scholarship to Campbell University School of Law, where she graduated with the award of Most Outstanding Advocate.. Kristi lives with her family in Apex, North Carolina and enjoys spending time outdoors, traveling, and being an active member of The Summit Church.

Born and raised in Brooklyn, New York, Raushanah Rodgers later moved to Fayetteville, North Carolina, during her teenage years. She excelled academically, graduating Magna Cum Laude from Fayetteville State University with a Bachelor of Science in Economics and Finance in less than three years. After returning to Brooklyn, Ms. Rodgers taught Math at Boys and Girls High School in Bed-Stuy for two years before relocating to Massachusetts, where she continued teaching at Madison Park High School in Roxbury. Inspired by her passion for helping others, she pursued her lifelong dream of becoming a lawyer, earning her degree from North Carolina Central University School of Law in 2007. Notably, she passed all three state bar exams without any preparatory courses. Ms. Rodgers is licensed to practice in North Carolina, Virginia, and New York, and is also admitted to the U.S. District Court for the Eastern, Middle, and Western Districts of North Carolina. As a sworn Arbitrator in Wake County Courts, she handles arbitration matters. Her legal practice encompasses business, civil, criminal, family, injury, and real estate law, and she is dedicated to responding to all legal inquiries via email.

I began practicing law when I graduated from law school and got a law license in August of 2000.  I hung up my shingle and opened a solo law office, intending that my practice would be in the trial courts -- trying cases for individual persons.  I have been trying cases and representing people charged with  serious criminal offenses for over 20 years, and have tried dozens of ciminal cases before juries, with charges ranging from misdemeanor appeals to capital murder. I began to focus exclusively on criminal cases in 2011. Jury trials are unique and challenging.  There are always valuable things to be learned from every trial, whatever the outcome. There is a saying, usually applied to warfare or other adversarial situations, that "no plan survives contact with the enemy". Maybe with jury trials the more apt saying might be, "no plan matters if the jury doesn't get it,like it, etc."  But the state prosecutor, inspite of many other built-in advantages (like having the first and last word if the defendant puts on evidence) potentially has that same problem with a jury. So the greatest opportunity (maybe the only opportunity) for an accused person to make a decision to take an action that may result in the preservation of their liberty, may be their right to demand a jury trial.. Call and schedule a free consultation.

W. Taylor Browne was born in Greensboro, North Carolina. He graduated from North Carolina State University, magna cum laude, in 2005.  Three years later he received his law degree from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Following law school, Taylor worked for over two years as a public defender in Greensboro.  He has successfully defended clients charged with a wide range of crimes, from complex felonies to simple traffic infractions.  He is licensed in both North Carolina and New York.

W. James Payne is a fearless criminal trial lawyer.  Mr. Payne is also a retired Colonel of United States Marines, serving his country for over 30 years as a Reserve Officer and very active trial lawyer.. Mr. Payne's practice is defending the criminally accused in the following venues:  State Court, Federal Court, and Courts-Martial (Military Justice).  Criminal charges include Felonies, Misdemeanors, DUI/DWI, murder, sex crimes, robbery, rape, larceny, computer crimes, military offenses, drug trafficking, drug conspiracy, white collar offenses.. Mr. Payne has such experience in defending the criminally accused that he is one of a very select group of attorneys in North Carolina that are qualified to defend capital (death penalty) murder cases.  Further, Mr. Payne is also qualified to represent defendants in United States District Court that are unable to afford the services of a private attorney.. In the Marine Corps, W. James Payne served as a judge advocate.  He defended Marines and officers from the rank of Private through General on a multitude of differing military justice offense.  Colonel Payne also served five years on the bench as a military judge and several years as the Staff Judge Advocate for the 4th Marine Logistics Group.. An avid Crossfitter, Mr. Payne prides himself on keeping in top physical shape to have the stamina to represent his clients with drive, energy, and enthusiasm.