Merritt Webb NC

Justin B. Allen joined Merritt, Webb, Wilson, & Caruso, PLLC in 2019. Prior to joining the law firm of Merritt Webb, Mr. Allen worked as an associate attorney at Gregory E. Willis, P.C. on cases involving land use, civil litigation, personal injury and probate matters. He also worked at Dauntless Discovery doing pre-litigation discovery research. Mr. Allen graduated from Appalachian State University in 2006 with a Bachelor of Arts in History. He graduated with a J.D. from the University of North Carolina School of Law in 2015.

Jasmyne Quinn graduated magna cum lade from Tennessee Tech University with a Bachelor of Science in Political Science, with a concentration in history, in 2017. Jasmyne attended New England Law | Boston and earned her Juris Doctor in 2020. As a student at New England Law | Boston, Jasmyne worked with several public interest firms. She gained experience in fields such as family law, real estate, veteran’s rights, and administrative law. Jasmyne began her career as a licensed attorney working with the North Carolina Division of Employment Security as an Appeals Referee. She conducted quasi-judicial evidentiary hearings on claims for unemployment insurance benefits. Jasmyne joined the law firm of Merritt, Webb, Wilson & Caruso in October 2022.

De’Erricka Green joined Merritt, Webb, Wilson & Caruso, PLLC in 2023. She earned her B.A. in English and Africana Studies from North Carolina State University in 2014, with minors in Chemistry and Technical Scientific Communication. She went on to earn her Juris Doctor from the illustrious North Carolina Central University School of Law in 2017, graduating Cum Laude. At NCCU Law, De’Erricka served as the Treasurer to the Turner Inn of Phi Delta Phi International Legal Honor Society, as an Editor on the inaugural Environmental Law Review, and was an Admissions Office Ambassador. She is a licensed attorney in both Georgia and North Carolina. Prior to joining Merritt Webb, De’Erricka was in-house counsel to the International Corporate Headquarters of Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority, Inc. where her focus areas were tax and non-profit compliance, intellectual property, and transactional law. She is also a member of Sigma Gamma Rho.

James Ruane has spent 19 years practicing law in a variety of practice areas. He joined Merritt, Webb, Wilson & Caruso, PLLC in 2005 and continues to focus on criminal defense and personal injury as well as business and commercial law. Mr. Ruane has served as a Business Manager with Schindler Corporation headquartered in Ebikon, Switzerland, where he received the President’s Award for his contributions to the success of the organization. He joined the Fayetteville, North Carolina law firm of Smith, Dickey, Smith, Hasty and Dempster, PA where he practiced business, domestic, personal injury and criminal law. Mr. Ruane next joined the Office of the Public Defender for the 12th Judicial District, Cumberland County, where he represented indigent clients for more than four years while honing his trial skills. He started his own general law practice in Cary, North Carolina where he continued to represent criminal defendants and personal injury clients. Mr. Ruane is a popular adjunct instructor in Business Law, Federal Taxation and Wills, Trusts and Estate Planning at Campbell University and has enjoyed that “avocation” for more than sixteen years. Mr. Ruane is, or has been, a member of the North Carolina Bar Association, the American Bar Association, the North Carolina Academy of Trial Lawyers and the 12th Judicial District Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers.

Joe is currently licensed to practice in all state courts in North Carolina and licensed in all federal districts in North Carolina. He is a member of the firm and provides advice and counsel to LegalShield members on a regular basis.

Ms. Julie Zuber earned her Bachelor of Arts, cum laude, in Government with a minor in history from Campbell University in 1989. She received her Juris Doctor from Campbell University School of Law in 1992. While at Campbell, Ms. Zuber competed on the ATLA Trial Team and was appointed to The Order of Barristers. While in law school, Ms. Zuber clerked with the Mast Law Firm in Smithfield, North Carolina. It was during this clerkship that Ms. Zuber developed a passion for assisting clients in the area of family law. Ms. Zuber was admitted to the North Carolina State Bar in 1992. She practiced with McLawhorn & Associates, PA in Greenville, North Carolina. She was also licensed to practice law in Michigan from 1993-2003. Ms. Zuber practiced in general practice firms, and was a shareholder in Riecker, Van Dam, Barker, Black and Zuber, PC, prior to returning to North Carolina. While practicing in Michigan, Ms. Zuber served as the Chairperson of the Midland County Friend of the Court Advisory Committee. The Friend of the Court Office is the division of the Courts in each county in Michigan which oversees all matters relating to family law. Ms. Zuber is a North Carolina Dispute Resolution Commission certified Family Financial Mediator. She also is trained in the practice of collaborative law. Ms. Zuber’s areas of practice have included family law, general civil litigation, personal injury, and court-appointed abuse and neglect matters. She also has provided legal consultations in the areas of landlord-tenant law, collections, product liability and consumer issues. She joined Merritt, Webb, Wilson & Caruso, PLLC in 2016.

Paul Marzano joined Merritt, Webb, Wilson and Caruso in 2023. Mr. Marzano began his legal career as an associate with a litigation firm where his primary area of practice was personal injury. He was then employed with an Illinois general practice firm concentrating in family law, personal injury and workers compensation before opening his own general practice law firm. He received his B.S. in Commerce from Rider University in Lawrenceville, New Jersey and his J.D. from Capital University in Columbus, Ohio.

Raushanah Nero joined Merritt, Webb, Wilson, and Caruso in 2023. Prior to joining Merritt Webb, Mrs. Nero worked as an Assistant Public Defender for Lexington County where she handled cases in General Sessions Court, Magistrate Court, and Traffic Court. She received her B.A. in Criminal Justice from The University of South Carolina and her J.D. from The University of South Carolina School of Law.

Madison Marcantel earned her Bachelor of Arts in 2019 from East Carolina University. During her time there she maintained an active role in the sisterhood of Phi Mu Fraternity and participated in various volunteer efforts at Cypress Glen Retirement Community as well as the local Children’s Miracle Network Hospital. While earning her Bachelors, Madison also interned for the Public Affairs Office at Naval Health Clinic Cherry Point in Havelock, N.C. Madison earned her Juris Doctorate from Charleston School of Law. There, she acclimated into the South Carolina community by holding memberships in student organizations such as Women in Law, Alliance for Equality, and Business Law Society to name a few. Additionally, she served as Secretary for Phi Alpha Delta Legal Honors Fraternity as well as Manager for the Charleston School of Law Transactional Law Team. Based on her academic performance, Madison graduated a Charleston School of Law Merit Scholar in 2021. She returned to North Carolina following graduation to be closer to her family. In her downtime Madison enjoys trying new recipes, curling up with a good book, listening to any episode of the Dateline podcast, catching up with friends, and traveling with her boyfriend.

Joy is currently licensed to practice in North Carolina state courts, as well as the U.S. District Courts for the Western, Middle, and Eastern Districts of North Carolina, the United States Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit and the United States Supreme Court. She helps manage the firm and the firm's LegalShield section. Joy also represents clients in employment law cases, administrative law matters, malpractice and wrongful death actions, and other civil litigation cases and appeals.

Mr. Clark has practiced primarily in the areas of estate planning, employment and contracts since commencing his legal career in 1997. He earned his B.A. Degree from UNC-Chapel Hill and his law degree from the University of Idaho. Upon being admitted to the North Carolina Bar, Mr. Clark worked as a solo practitioner in Fayetteville, North Carolina, assisting families and individuals with achieving their estate planning goals. In 2000, he joined the firm of Booth, Harrington, Johns & Toman in Greensboro, North Carolina, where he worked primarily in the areas of estate planning and small business. Mr. Clark joined Merritt, Webb, Wilson & Caruso, PLLC in 2002. Since then, he has drafted or reviewed over 7,000 wills and related estate planning documents. He also continues to assist employers and employees alike in the areas of employment law and contracts.

Steven Gebeaux has been practicing law and representing individuals, businesses, and non-profits for almost twenty-five years. While in law school, Mr. Gebeaux served as a clerk to the Chief District Court Judge Joseph M. Buckner in Orange County, North Carolina and then clerked at the Public Defender's Office for the District of Columbia in Washington, D.C. During his time at the University Of North Carolina School Of Law, Mr. Gebeaux was awarded the Gibson D. Smith Public Interest Scholarship and he was inducted to the James E. and Carolyn B. Davis Society for his commitment to civic duty. After graduating, he began his legal career as an associate attorney with Eagen & Eagen in Durham North Carolina. In 2001 Mr. Gebeaux joined Merritt, Webb, Wilson & Caruso, PLLC and he has been recognized by Pre-Paid Legal Services, Inc. (now LegalShield) for Excellent Service many times. He was also recognized for providing representation around the clock with the LegalShield Award in 2007. Mr. Gebeaux is a frequent participant in the Witt Professionalism Roundtable sponsored by the University of North Carolina School of Law for current law school students and selected alumnus. He is also involved in the University of North Carolina School of Law Chancellor's Scholars Alumni Luncheon and is active with Durham County Bar Association community events. Mr. Gebeaux has volunteered with various non-profits, including serving as the risk manager and advisor for the Southeast Unitarian Universalist Summer Institute, a non-profit corporation and camp for area Unitarian Universalist Churches in the Southeast. He was also featured in the Raleigh News and Observer for his work in representing area families and lowering the speed limit around a local school in Cary, North Carolina.

Ms. Tamika Davis began her legal career in 2001 as an intern with the law firm of Nick Galifianakis & Associates. She was employed by Country Wide Home Loans from 2002-2004. Thereafter, she joined the law firm of Womble, Carlyle, Sandridge, & Rice, PLLC. Ms. Davis became an associate attorney for Merritt, Webb, Wilson & Caruso, PLLC in 2006 and began providing legal assistance for LegalShield members. While pursuing her undergraduate degree at the University of North Carolina in Chapel Hill, Ms. Davis appeared on the Dean’s List and received annual recognition for outstanding Grade Point Average, was a member of Phi Alpha Delta Pre-Law Fraternity and served as a minority advisor for the university. While at North Carolina Central University School of Law, Ms. Davis served as the Vice President of the Women’s Caucus.

Kristin is currently licensed to practice in North Carolina and Georgia. Kristin joined Merritt, Webb, Wilson & Caruso, PLLC in 2004 where her practice has concentrated on representing Plaintiffs in civil litigation, with an emphasis on personal injury, negligence, and insurance law. She has also advised and assisted LegalShield members in areas of consumer finance, creditor-debtor law, product liability, military law, landlord-tenant law, and identity theft. Prior to joining the firm, Kristin served as a Captain in the United States Marine Corps where she practiced as a Judge Advocate. She is a recipient of the Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal and the National Defense Service Medal.

Ms. Rolin began her legal career as an associate with a firm in Chattanooga, Tennessee where her primary areas of practice were estate planning, elder law, and creditor rights. In 2008, she went into private practice as a solo general practitioner concentrating in estate planning, elder law, creditor rights, Veteran’s Administration law, and landlord tenant law. Prior to coming to work for Merritt, Webb, Wilson and Caruso, she was an associate attorney with the UAW Legal Services Plan. She received her B.A. in International Studies with a concentration in German and Economics from Birmingham Southern College in Birmingham, Alabama and her J.D. from Washington University School of Law in St. Louis, Missouri.

Jocelyn Gnirrep is the research director for Merritt, Webb, Wilson & Caruso, PLLC and oversees the legal research performed by the other attorneys in the research department. Ms. Gnirrep graduated from Ursinus College in 1992 with a B.A. in German, and minor concentrations in East Asian Studies and Music. She graduated from Rutgers University School of Law – Camden in 1995, where she received International and Foreign Law Honors, with Distinction. Prior to moving to South Carolina, Ms. Gnirrep was an associate with the law firm of Saviano & Tobias, P.C. in midtown Manhattan, where she practiced corporate and business law, general litigation and estate planning. Ms. Gnirrep joined the South Carolina firm of Pennington & Lott, L.L.P., where she concentrated her practice in telecommunications, commercial real estate and bankruptcy law. Among the clients she served were a national cellular telephone service provider and a South Carolina utility company. In 2004, she joined the firm of Berry, Quackenbush & Stuart, PA where she was the firm’s research director. Ms. Gnirrep has also served as an adjunct instructor at Concord University School of Law. She was invited to work for Merritt, Webb, Wilson & Caruso, PLLC in 2006.

Aron Mefford focuses his current practice at Merritt, Webb, Wilson & Caruso, PLLC on real estate, business and consumer law with a special emphasis on the legal needs of small business owners. He has received the Pre-Paid Legal Services (now LegalShield) Member's Choice Award for outstanding customer service. Before joining Merritt Webb, Mr. Mefford dedicated his professional career to advocating for consumer rights and assisting small business development by applying sophisticated legal practice and business management models in non-traditional settings. He did this initially as Operations Manager and Chief Legal Advisor for Integrity Consulting, where he advised clients with disabilities wishing to start new businesses of legal, financial, and managerial issues involved in small business start-up including regulatory compliance, contractual needs, business planning, financial management, and growth potential. He continued this work as Staff Attorney at Legal Services of South Central Michigan where he supplemented his extensive consumer advocacy based landlord-tenant and real estate litigation practice with community legal education programs and service on the boards of several non-profit entities. Mr. Mefford is the author of “Lex Informatica: Foundations of Law on the Internet” published in the Indiana Journal of Global Legal Studies concerning the development of internet law at an international level.

Stephen joined Merritt, Webb, Wilson & Caruso, PLLC in 2023. He earned his B.S. in Economics (Applied) with a minor in Business Administration from East Carolina University in 2015. He went on to earn his Juris Doctorate from Charleston School of Law in 2020. At Charleston School of Law, Stephen served on the Charleston County Bar Association, Student Division, Second Amendment Association, The Charleston County Probate Court Adult Guardianship Assistance & Monitoring Program and was a member of the Real Estate, Intellectual Property Law, and Cannabis Law Society. Prior to joining Merritt Webb, Stephen was an associate at Riddle & Brantley, LLP, where he was a case manager for personal injury cases.

Melissa joined Merritt, Webb, Wilson & Caruso, PLLC in 2023. She earned her B.A. in English and Political Science from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill in 2019. She went on to earn her Juris Doctorate from Wake Forest University School of Law in 2022, graduating Cum Laude. At Wake Forest Law, Melissa served as an Executive Editor on the Wake Forest Journal of Law and Policy and was a member of the Pro Bono Honor Society. Prior to joining Merritt Webb, Melissa was an Associate at Warren, Shackleford & Thomas, PLLC, where her main focus areas were Real Estate and Civil Litigation.

Wesley Waller became an associate attorney of Merritt, Webb, Wilson & Caruso, PLLC in 2008. He began his career with Huron Consulting Group in Morrisville, North Carolina, and later worked as an associate attorney with Kohn Law, PLLC in Raleigh, North Carolina, where he practiced real estate law. Mr. Waller received a B.S. in Business Administration with a concentration in Operations Management in 2002 from East Carolina University. He earned his Juris Doctorate from the University of Miami School of Law in 2006.

Rafal is currently licensed to practice in the District of Columbia and North Carolina. He is an Associate Attorney with MerrittWebb in the Durham, NC office since 2009, and serves as the firm's Immigration Attorney. Additionally, he provides advice and counsel to LegalShield members, on various legal areas, on a daily basis.

Kevin D. Hall joined Merritt, Webb, Wilson & Caruso, PLLC in 2015. He received his B.A. in Political Science and History from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill in 2004 and his J.D. from Campbell University in 2008. While in law school, Mr. Hall was the business editor of the Campbell Law Observer. Mr. Hall began his legal career with the Everett Law Firm, P.A. in Chapel Hill, NC. After three years, he began his own solo practice, concentrating on criminal law, in Raleigh, NC before joining Merritt, Webb, Wilson & Caruso, PLLC.

Ms. Tommi E. Powell joined Merritt, Webb, Wilson & Caruso, PLLC in 2016 following serving as Supervising Attorney at Guirguis Law, PA where her main focus areas were Immigration Law and Personal Injury. She received her B.A. in English from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and her M.A. in English with a concentration in Multicultural Literature from East Carolina University. Following several years of working for the American Kennel Club, her passions took her to Campbell University Norman Adrian School of Law where she received her J.D. in 2013. Ms. Powell is an avid animal lover who owns a small grooming shop with her husband and participates in dog show competitions. She is a strong supporter of animal welfare and breeders rights. In her spare time, Ms. Powell enjoys reading, Tar Heel sports, photography, and spending time with her loved ones.

Ms. Danelle E. Mabe joined Merritt, Webb, Wilson & Caruso, PLLC in 2017 following serving as Attorney Liaison for United States Probation in the Eastern District of North Carolina, where she drafted national policy. Prior to her time with the probation office, Ms. Mabe assisted clients at Hopler and Wilms, PLLC in Durham, North Carolina with employment matters, focusing on unemployment hearings, as well as estate planning and guardianships. Ms. Mabe also practiced at Triangle Law Group in Raleigh, North Carolina, where she handled Landlord-Tenant and Construction Law cases. She graduated magnum cum laude in Sociology and Criminology from the University of North Carolina at Greensboro, before attending Campbell University Norman Adrian School of Law where she received her J.D. in 2013. Ms. Mabe was admitted to the North Carolina Bar Association and the Eastern District of North Carolina in 2013. Ms. Mabe is an avid sports fans and, in her free time, enjoys watching her two children excel on the soccer and baseball fields.

Mark Kochuk is currently licensed to practice in North Carolina. Mr. Kochuk joined the law firm of Merritt, Webb, Wilson & Caruso, PLLC in 2016. Mr. Kochuk graduated magna cum laude from NC State University in 2012 with a B.A. in Philosophy. He earned his J.D., with honors, from the University of North Carolina School of Law in 2015. While in law school, Mr. Kochuk served as a Notes and Comments editor for the North Carolina Journal of International Law and Commercial Regulation. Mr. Kochuk provides research services to LegalShield members on a daily basis.