Charles F. Barone

Matthew B. Downs

Carol Hudson, NCCP

Vickie L. Setzer, NCCP

Melissa Frazier, NCCP

Lydia H. Wright

Melissa A. Benoist

 

 

 

 

 

 

Charles F. Barone -Principal Attorney - Owner

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Matthew B. Downs - Associate Attorney

Matthew B. Downs is a resident of Cornelius, NC.  Mr. Downs attended college at East Carolina University in Greenville, NC, where he earned a Bachelor of Arts Degree and a Masters Degree in Public Administration.  He then worked as a survey researcher for Research Triangle Institute in Durham, NC for approximately 5 years before attending Thomas M. Cooley Law School in Lansing, Michigan. Mr. Downs earned his Juris Doctor in January 2006 and has been admitted to practice law in the State of North Carolina, as well as the United States District Court for the Western District, North Carolina.  He currently practices in the areas of civil litigation, collections, real property, personal injury, construction, business formations, and traffic law.  Additionally, he is a member of the following professionall organizations:  North Carolina State Bar (#34788), North Carolina Bar Association, American Bar Association, North Carolina Acadamy of Trial Lawyers, and Mecklenburg County Bar Association.

Carol W. Hudson, NCCP - Sr Paralegal/Office Coordinator

Carol was born in North Carolina and raised in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina. Ms. Hudson relocated to Miami, Florida where she commenced her legal career, spanning more than thirty years. Beginning in 1968 and continuing for over 26 years, Carol worked for a Miami law firm as a senior paralegal/office manager. In 1995, Carol moved to North Carolina and in 1996 she joined The Barone Law Firm. Carol's knowledge and expertise in the legal field is extensive. Her specialties are in residential and commercial real estate, land titles, purchase money and refinance transactions; 1031 Tax Exempt Exchanges; and asset purchase/sale. Carol has additional experience managing multi-million dollar personal and business trust accounts, client billing, account payables and receivables, and the day-to-day management of the firm. Carol is Notary Public and a member of the North Carolina Bar Association Legal Assistant's Division and Real Estate, Business and  Estate Planning Sections of the Association.  Carol earned her North Carolina Certified Paralegal designation in 2005.

Vickie L. Setzer, NCCP- Sr Paralegal/Litigation

A native of Wilkes County, North Carolina, Vickie graduated with Honors in 2000 upon completing her formal Paralegal education at Surry Community College in Dobson, North Carolina, with an Associate in Applied Science Degree Paralegal Technology. Employed as a senior paralegal in litigation, Vickie has over twelve years combined experience in the areas of complex civil litigation, including residential and construction law; corporate collections and recovery of assets; wills, trusts and estate administration; personal injury; and, medical malpractice.  Vickie was nominated and elected as an Executive Council Member of the North Carolina Bar Association’s Legal Assistants Division Section Council beginning July 1, 2005 and expiring on June 20, 2008. Vickie also served as the 2006-2007 Chair for the North Carolina Bar Association's Legal Assistant Division Ethics Committee. She obtained her North Carolina Certified Paralegal designation in 2005.  Vickie is a member of the North Carolina Paralegal Association, Inc.; the National Association of Legal Assistants, Inc.; the North Carolina Bar Association - Estate Planning and Fiduciary Law, General Practice and Legal Assistants Division Sections; and, the Legal Assistants Division of the North Carolina Academy of Trial Lawyers.

Melissa R. Barone Frazier, NCCP – Real Estate Paralegal

Melissa was born in Germany and later moved to New York and then California, where she graduated from Moorpark College in 1998.  After graduation, Melissa moved to North Carolina to join The Barone Law Firm. Melissa has nine years legal experience and is in charge of residential and commercial real estate closings and transactions. Melissa earned the North Carolina Certified Paralegal designation in 2005. Melissa is a Notary Public and a member of the North Carolina Bar Association Legal Assistants Division and General Practice, Real Estate and Estate Planning Sections of the Association.

Lydia H. Wright - Legal Assistant

Lydia was born and raised in Miami, Florida.  While in Florida she interned for a local attorney before attending Mount Sinai Medical Center, where she graduated with honors in 1994 earning her certification as a radiology technologist. In 1996 Lydia relocated to North Carolina and worked for several medical professionals before joining The Barone Law Firm in 2003. Lydia provides legal assistance in business incorporations and organizations, Wills & Estates, general contractor/subcontractor lien filings, Criminal Law and Traffic Infractions, and real estate.

Melissa A. Benoist - Legal Assistant/Litigation

Melissa was born and raised in Iredell County, North Carolina.  In 2005, Melissa graduated from Appalachian State University in Boone, N.C. with a Bachelor of Science in Political Science, a concentration in Pre-Professional Legal Studies, and a minor in Criminal Justice.  Upon graduation, Melissa served as an Intern United States Probation Officer assistance in the Pre-Trial Unit of the United States Probation Office in the Middle District of North Carolina.  In 2007, Melissa earned a Paralegal Certificate from the University of North Carolina at Charlotte, while completing her internship at a personal injury firm in Charlotte.  Melissa joined The Barone Law Firm in March 2007 and currently assistants in the areas of personal injury and litigation.  Melissa is a member of the Metrolina Paralegal Assocation.  Melissa is a provisional member of the North Carolina Bar Association Legal Assistants Division.