Firm News

January 2022 - Matthew R. Arnold and Ashley Crowder Were Recognized by Super Lawyers

Arnold & Smith, PLLC announces that two of its divorce attorneys were selected for recognition by Super Lawyers. Managing Member Matthew R. Arnold was recognized for the eleventh time in his career, and Ashley Crowder was recognized for the third time.
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September 2021 - Arnold & Smith, PLLC Welcomes its Newest Associate Will Shelley!

Please join us in welcoming Associate Attorney Will Shelley to Arnold & Smith, PLLC! Will grew up in Cabarrus County and graduated from Jay M. Robinson High School in Concord, NC. He attended Furman University for his undergraduate studies and law school at the University of South Carolina.
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January 2021 - Arnold & Smith, PLLC Welcomes New Partner, Anastasia Cowan

Arnold & Smith, PLLC is pleased to announce that Anastasia E. Cowan has been named partner of the firm. Anastasia is one of two dually certified specialists in North Carolina, with a designation as a Child Welfare Law Specialist through the National Association of Counsel for Children, as well as being a Board Certified Specialist in Family Law.
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December 2020 - Courtney Carter and Anastasia Cowan Were Recognized as Board Certified Specialists in Family Law

Arnold & Smith, PLLC is proud to recognize Courtney Carter and Anastasia Cowan as new Board Certified Specialists in Family Law. Anastasia Cowan has the additional distinction of being one of two dually certified specialists in North Carolina with specialties in Child Welfare Law as well as Family Law.
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June 2020 - Arnold & Smith Lawyer Argues In State’s First-Ever Online Appellate Oral Argument

The State of North Carolina held its first-ever appellate oral argument via the internet on Thursday, April 30, 2020. Arnold & Smith attorney Paul A. Tharp argued on behalf of appellant John Wiles in Simmons v. Wiles, a case pending before the North Carolina Court of Appeals.
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April, 2020 - Concerns grow as COVID-19 cases climb inside local nursing homes
January, 2020 - Business North Carolina Magazine, Legal Elite 2020 Recognizes Alyssa Levine

Arnold & Smith, PLLC is proud to recognize that one of our attorneys was selected in the 2020 ballot driven peer review process conducted by Business North Carolina Magazine. The attorneys that are selected are considered by their peers the best practitioners for their respective practice areas.


Alyssa Levine Recognized for North Carolina Pro Bono Honor Society 2017

We are proud to announce that Alyssa Levine, a Senior Associate Attorney with Arnold & Smith, PLLC was recently recognized by the NC Administrative Office of the Courts for their annual listing of the NC Pro Bono Honor Society.


07/20/2017 - Arnold & Smith Law Firm Expands To Lake Norman

Charlotte practice aims to infuse new Mooresville office with hallmark tenacity, muscle.
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05/25/2016 - 9 investigates out of control court costs in North Carolina

It's not the violation for going over the speed limit or running a red light that will drain your wallet though -- it's the cost of doing business with the court system.
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07/15/2015 - City leaders to hold community meetings ahead of Kerrick trial

Five days from now, the highly-anticipated trial of a Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department officer accused of killing an unarmed man is set to begin, and city leaders plan to ramp up efforts to handle riots or protests in the coming days.
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04/27/2015 - State Agency Objecting to Dash Cam Video Subpoena

Dash cam video and audio surveillance has become a part of everyday life, in the world of law enforcement. And many law enforcement agencies are more willing than ever to hand over video that shows exactly what happened during an arrest or a traffic stop.
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04/10/2015 - New sentence possible for man convicted of killing two brothers

A Charlotte man facing life in prison without parole for two murders is getting a second chance at a new sentence and the mother of his two victims is outraged.
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03/10/2015 - Officer involved in shooting could have violated social media policy

When Charlotte-Mecklenburg police Officer Paul Quinichett shot and injured a 14-year-old boy who had pointed a gun at officers over the weekend, it triggered an investigation that is likely to find that he did nothing wrong, sources told Eyewitness News.
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01/23/2015 - Questions arise after Hardy trial moved up

Mecklenburg County prosecutors confirmed the domestic violence trial of Carolina Panthers player Greg Hardy has been moved ahead of other cases also waiting to go before a judge.
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01/07/2015 - CMPD officer arrested, charged with DWI

A Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department officer was arrested Wednesday and charged with driving while impaired, according to CMPD.
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09/22/2014 - Court date for Panthers’ Hardy case questionable

As Carolina Panther Greg Hardy remains on indefinite leave from the team, attention is focusing on his scheduled trial date on domestic violence charges.
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08/07/2014 - Adoptive parents of Erica Parsons plead not guilty to fraud charges

The parents of a missing Rowan County teenager Erica Parsons will face a speedy trial after pleading not guilty in federal court in Greensboro Wednesday.
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07/31/2014 - Expert: Feds to closely monitor adoptive parents of Erica Parsons

Criminal defense experts said federal authorities will be closely monitoring the parents of a missing Rowan County teenager while they await trial on 76 counts of fraud and theft.
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06/24/2014 - Charlotte man accused of hail damage insurance claim fraud
06/18/2014 - Appeals court sets stage for ‘free speech’ trial
06/16/2014 - Local Defense Attorney Talks Perspective On The Jury's Decision in Kenan Gay Trial
06/03/2014 - Former Mayor Patrick Cannon pleads guilty in federal corruption case
06/03/2014 - Defense Attorney Brad Smith Talks Potential Consequences in Cannon's Plea Deal
05/27/2014 - Attorney Brad Smith Breaks Down The Possible Outcome Of The Kenan Gay Trial Happening Today
04/08/2014 - D.A. drops charge against woman who accused officer of excessive force
03/20/2014 - North Carolina Family Law Specialization Examination

Congratulations are in order for two of our very own, Matt Arnold and Tonya Graser Smith, both of whom recently passed the North Carolina Family Law Specialization Examination.
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03/20/2014 - Best Lawyer in Charlotte Award

Our very own Brad Smith was recently honored to be named one of the Charlotte Observer’s “Readers’ Choice” award winners.
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03/19/2014 - Hickory police sergeant indicted after assault accusation
01/21/2014 - The science behind grand juries
12/10/2013 - Brad Smith Successfully Defends North Carolina Man In Tragic Pit Collapse Case

One of our firm’s North Carolina criminal defense attorneys successfully represented the man who was charged in connection with the death of two young children earlier this year after a dirt pit the children were playing in collapsed.


10/14/2013 - Lincoln Co. Father Charged in the Deaths of 2 Kids Back in Court

LINCOLNTON, N.C. — 32-year-old Jordan Arwood is charged with stalking his 17-year-old ex-girlfriend. The two have a three-month-old baby.


09/26/2013 - Mecklenburg Co. DA firing back at state report over DWI dismissals

The Mecklenburg County District Attorney's Office is firing back at a state report that stated prosecutors dismissed nearly 50 percent of DWI cases in the county.
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07/23/2013 - Judge orders wrestler Ric Flair's arrest

A Mecklenburg judge has issued an order for arrest for former professional wrestling champion Ric Flair, who was held in contempt earlier this month for not paying his estranged wife more than $32,000 in spousal support.


07/17/2013 - Former wrestler Ric Flair could face jail over payments

An attorney for the estranged wife of former pro wrestling star Ric Flair said Wednesday she still was awaiting more than $32,000 in support payments.
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06/27/2013 - Hit-and-run charge against Tim Newman is dropped

The hit-and-run charge against Tim Newman, the city’s former top tourism and promotions leader, was dropped Thursday after the victim didn’t show up at Newman’s trial.


05/27/2013 - Judge upholds dismissal of DWI charge against Tim Newman

A Superior Court judge has upheld the dismissal of a driving while impaired charge against former Charlotte Regional Visitors’ Association CEO Tim Newman.


05/16/2013 - Judge upholds dismissal of DWI charge against Tim Newman

CHARLOTTE, N.C. -- For a second time, a judge has dismissed DWI charges against Tim Newman.
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05/01/2013 - 9 Investigates: Technicality with arrest processing can lead to dismissal of DWI charges

CHARLOTTE, N.C. -- Ryan McCarter was stopped by police last May after leaving an Uptown bar.
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02/12/2013 - Critics say Senate bill to cut special judges would add more costs to system

MECKLENBURG COUNTY, N.C. -- A dozen special superior court judges from across the state could be without a job by July, including a judge in Mecklenburg County.
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11/30/2012 - Prosecutors appeal dismissal of Tim Newman’s DWI charge

Mecklenburg prosecutors are appealing a judge’s decision to throw out the drunken driving charge against Tim Newman, the former chief executive of the Charlotte Regional Visitors Authority.


11/29/2012 - DA's Office Pushing to Uphold Former Head of the CRVA's DWI Charge

CHARLOTTE, NC -- The DA's office doesn't want to let the former head of the CRVA off the hook for a drunk driving charge.


11/06/2012 - Tim Newman's DWI charge dismissed

CHARLOTTE, N.C. -- Judge: Ex-CEO of tourism agency held too long in jail; hit-and-run charge remains.


11/06/2012 - DWI charges dropped for former CRVA CEO Tim Newman

CHARLOTTE, N.C. -- Tim Newman let his attorneys do the talking as he left court Monday evening.
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09/11/2012 - Charlotte Man Accused of Threatening to Kill the President in Court

CHARLOTTE, N.C.--A Charlotte man accused of making threats against President Obama on Twitter was in court today.


05/22/2012 - Marcus Jackson to be released from prison this week

CHARLOTTE, NC (WBTV) — When Marcus Jackson leaves his prison near the Outer Banks, he will be given a change of street clothes and not much else.
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05/07/2012 - Spending Fools Too Cool for School?

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — "'School was not for me,' but the money is," says attorney Brad Smith of a local guy who may have committed student loan fraud.


03/09/2012 - Prosecutors cut into backlog of cases during special session

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Prosecutors in Charlotte have spent the past three weeks cutting into a backlog of cases that have been piling up for years.
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02/20/2012 - Salisbury man likely won't face charges after killing home invasion suspect

SALISBURY, N.C. -- Police are investigating a deadly home invasion where the armed robbery victim turned the tables and killed the suspect.
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1/5/2012 - New Assault Allegations Against CMPD Officer David Jones

CHARLOTTE, NC (WBTV) -- Two men who were both charged with assaulting a police officer have something in common. That officer was ...
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09/19/2011 - DA: Death penalty cases held up by racial justice law

CHARLOTTE, N.C. -- Death penalty opponents in Georgia spent the weekend urging a parole board to spare the life of convicted killer Troy ...
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08/26/2011 - Vigil To Be Held For 3 Family Members Killed

CHARLOTTE, N.C. -- As the community prepares to say goodbye to a slain family, police are urging residents to take an aggressive approach to crime reporting.
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07/27/2011 - Woman sues Stallings and 2 officers in her 2008 arrest

A Union County woman has filed suit in federal court against the town of Stallings and two of its police officers, seeking punitive damages and compensation for her 2008 arrest.


07/18/2011 - 'Moorish Defense' Slowing Court Cases In Mecklenburg

MECKLENBURG COUNTY, N.C. -- Mecklenburg County's new district attorney is pushing his prosecutors to take more cases to trial, but Eyewitness News has uncovered a legal defense that's bogging down the system. Attorney Brad Smith said he sees the Moorish Nation defense often in Mecklenburg County courtrooms.
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07/12/2011 - Elisa Baker attorney asks to move trial out of Catawba County

CHARLOTTE - Elisa Baker's attorney filed a change of venue motion Tuesday. She is charged with second-degree murder in connection with the death of her stepdaughter, Zahra. Baker's lawyer Scott Reilly says because of the large amount of publicity the case has received, it would be impossible for her to get a fair trial in Catawba County.
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07/12/2011 - The Search For Truth or Justice?

CHARLOTTE, NC -- Some high profile murder cases, and the jury verdicts, have led some to wonder if proving a case beyond a reasonable doubt is still possible. Trials, like Casey Anthony's, are shown on TV, and now some believe the case should be presented to the jury just like what you'd see in a TV crime show.


02/23/2011 - 2 Civil Suits Against Ex-CMPD Cop, City of Charlotte and CMPD Police Chief

CHARLOTTE, N.C. - "This is just beginning." That from attorneys Brad Smith and Matt Arnold, who just filed two lawsuits on behalf of Charlotte residents Bianca Thorpe and Janada Putmon, two of the seven people ex-CMPD Officer Marcus Jackson admitted to intimidating and sexually assaulting while on duty.


01/26/2011 - Fox fight leads to 2nd arrest

Former Fox Charlotte anchor Brien Blakely was charged with assault Tuesday, a week after he was involved in a scrap with a news producer at the station's studios.


01/26/2011 - Ex-news anchor Blakely charged in Fox Charlotte fracas

Former Fox Charlotte anchor Brien Blakely was charged with assault Tuesday morning, a week after he was involved in a scrap with a news producer at the station's studios.
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05/24/2010 - Men Warn Others of Gold Diggers, Users on Social Networking Site

CHARLOTTE, N.C. - One woman lies about having an STD. Another woman lies about her pregnancies. And yet another woman cheats on the men she dates. Of course, all of this is according to their ex lovers.


03/05/2010 - Deadbeat Moms On The Rise

Blame this on the economy, too: more moms are refusing to pay child support! As FOX Charlotte's Morgan Fogarty reports, dead beat moms are helping to keep ...


06/22/2008 - Case Dismissals Could Be Upcoming

CHARLOTTE – Mecklenburg County’s district attorney says he’ll consider dismissing any case in which two Charlotte police officers facing drug charges played a crucial role.
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05/02/2008 - Beazer Suit Dismissal To Be Appealed

Attorney: Couple wants to show foreclosure links
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10/12/2007 - Beazer Reveals Violations Of Federal Regulations

Home builder will restate earnings
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04/12/2007 - Jury Awards $1.6 Million In Mecklenburg Condemnation Case

Type of action: Condemnation
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