Debbie represents closely-held corporations on all their corporate and business matters, including a large, closely-held business in numerous merger and acquisition transactions and private debt placements. In addition, Debbie becomes an important part of the company's outside management team, advising business owners on day-to-day operations, drafting and negotiating contracts, and advising on financial matters and transactions.

Debbie also represents key executives in estate planning and the administration of large and complex estates.  She receives numerous referrals from existing clients, as well as other lawyers and financial planners.

Debbie was named in Business North Carolina’s Legal Elite in the areas of Tax and Estate Planning (2005) and Corporate Law (2006).  She is recognized by North Carolina Super Lawyers (2006-2010).  She also appears on North Carolina Super Lawyers Top 100 list (2009-2010) and Top 50 Female list (2009-2010).  In addition, Debbie was selected for inclusion in The Best Lawyers in America© (2009-2010) in the area of Trust and Estates.  She is the recipient of a Women in Business Award (2005) presented by The Triangle Business Journal and a Women Extraordinaire Award (2005) presented by Business Leader Magazine.

• Key member of acquisition team for more than $200 million of acquisitions
• Key member of client finance team in more than $1 billion of financing
• Key member of team representing Executors of multi-million dollar estate administration.

• American College of Trust and Estate Counsel (ACTEC), Fellow
• Certified Public Accountant
• Board Certified Specialist in Estate Planning and Probate
• North Carolina Bar Association
  • Tax Section, Former Council Member
  • Estate Planning & Fiduciary Law Section, Immediate Past Chair and Former Council Member
  • Estate Administration Manual Committee for the Estate Planning Section, Former Chair
  • Local Bar Services Committee
  • International Law & Practice Section Council, 2010 Attorney Exchange Leader (click here for blog and photos of the attorney exchange trip to Turkey)
  • Business Law Section, North Carolina Lawyers for Entrepreneurs Assistance Program (LEAP) Subcommittee
• Wake County Bar Association, Swearing-In Ceremony Committee, Chair
• American Bar Association, Tax Section
• UNC Tax Institute Planning Committee
• Lecturer at UNC Chapel Hill

• Salvation Army of Wake County, Secretary of Board of Advisors
  • Planned Giving Committee, Chair
• Raleigh Chamber of Commerce
  • Executive Women’s Task Force, Past Chair
  • Board of Advisors
• Small Business Technology Development Center (SBTDC), Chair of Regional Advisory Board
• North Raleigh United Methodist Church, Former Trustee (9 years) 
• Capital City Club Executive Women’s Steering Committee, Former Member 
• Raleigh Racquet Club, Former Director and Treasurer