After working 17 years as a legal services attorney, Diana went into private practice in 1991, opening the first law office in Western North Carolina devoted exclusively to elder law matters. In 1995, she was among the first group of lawyers in the country to be certified as an elder law attorney by the National Elder Law Foundation. In 2009, she was among the first group of North Carolina lawyers to become a Board Certified Specialist in Elder Law.

In 2007, The Van Winkle Law Firm expanded its elder law practice by bringing on board the team from Johnston & McCann, PLLC at its Hendersonville office. Diana serves of counsel, focusing her practice on serving families with special needs children. She is a member of the Special Needs Alliance, an invitation-only group of about 100 attorneys nationwide.

Professional Affiliations

• NC Chapter of National Academy of Elder Law Attorneys
  • Past Co-Chair
• North Carolina Bar Association
• Elder Law Section
• Special Needs Alliance