John P. Swart

Recognized in the 2021 Edition of The Best Lawyers in America for his work in Family Law. James W. Lea, III - The Lea/ Schultz Law Firm , P.C. 1612 Military Cutoff Road Suite 300 Wilmington, NC 28403 Tel: 910-239-5990 Fax: 910-239-5992 jwl@thelealawfirm.com www.thelealawfirm.com James W. Lea, III, practices exclusively in the area of Family Law and has done so for the last 40 years of practice. Mr. Lea has served on the North Carolina State Bar’s Family Council, a selected group of fami...

Al is a North Carolina State Bar Board Certified Specialist in Family Law with decades of experience advocating for his clients' best interests. He handles a wide range of family law cases, through all phases, including divorce, child custody and visitation, grandparents' rights, spousal and child support, pre-marital and post-marital agreements, property and debt distribution, termination of parental rights, and mediation. In addition to his trial practice, Al has represented clients before ...

George Mason Oliver is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Bankruptcy and Creditor Debtor Rights / Insolvency and Reorganization Law and Litigation - Bankruptcy. George Mason, who practices law in New Bern, North Carolina, has been recognized since 2025. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which George Mason is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Cliff leads the firm's Real Estate Development Practice Group. His practice focuses on representing individual and corporate clients in residential and commercial real estate transactions, such as the preparation and negotiation of purchase and sale agreements, loan agreements, and leases for office and retail space. Additionally, clients rely on Cliff for the preparation and interpretation of restrictive and protective covenants and other planned community and condominium documents, includin...

Jeremy leads the Personal Injury and Wrongful Death practice. He has extensive experience litigating claims for wrongful death, serious personal injury, and a broad range of civil litigation before state and federal courts, including cases involving vehicle accidents, professional malpractice, premises liability, products liability, and class actions, among other areas. He also has litigated numerous cases involving complex insurance coverage issues and "bad faith" claims. In addition, Jeremy...

Areas of Practice: Business Law & Taxation , Mergers & Acquisitions , Wills, Trusts, Estate Planning & Estate Administration Mr. Diab has substantial experience as lead counsel in structuring, negotiating and closing of mergers and acquisitions, representing both buyers and sellers in taxable and tax-free acquisitions, divestitures, strategic alliances, and investments by venture capital and private equity firms since 1990. He has represented closely-held business owners in busine...

Rebecca A. Knudson is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Commercial Litigation and Personal Injury Litigation - Defendants. Rebecca A., who practices law in Wilmington, North Carolina, has been recognized since 2016. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Rebecca A. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Scott is an active trial lawyer, with over 100 cases tried to verdict in both state and federal courts. Scott is a member of our Commercial Litigation Practice Group, focusing on Insurance Bad Faith, Professional Liability, Municipal & School Liability and Construction Litigation.

Eric's practice experience encompasses various areas of civil litigation, including real property, business, and commercial litigation; zoning and land use issues; disputes involving community associations; and insurance coverage disputes. He is a member of the Zoning, Planning and Land Use Section Council of the North Carolina State Bar Association and leads the firm's Eminent Domain practice. Eric has handled numerous cases in State and Federal court from the investigation stage through app...

Deedee Rouse Gasch is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Litigation - Insurance, Medical Malpractice Law - Defendants and Professional Malpractice Law - Defendants. Deedee Rouse, who practices law in Wilmington, North Carolina, has been recognized since 2024. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Deedee Rouse is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.