Michelle joined Van Winkle in 1986. She has practiced in the areas of personal injury litigation and employment law, including federal discrimination cases, as well as estate litigation and appellate practice. Michelle also serves as a certified mediator for alternative dispute resolution. Michelle began her legal career as a clerk with the North Carolina Court of Appeals and then as Director of Research for the North Carolina Supreme Court. She subsequently served as Executive Director of the Governor's Crime Commission.  Michelle was admitted to practice in the Supreme Court of the United States in 2009.

Practice Highlights

• Successfully defended funeral home for moving a grave on Cherokee Reservation. Demand was $10 million; verdict was $30,000.
• Recovered lifetime benefits for a shaken baby syndrome child upon allegations that DSS failed to remove child from dangerous environment.
• Successfully defended alleged sexual harasser in claims involving two female plaintiffs against a million-dollar-plus demand. Jury returned verdict of no liability.
• Successfully defended a local franchise in a sexual harassment and retaliation case in federal court filed by the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission.

Professional Affiliations

• 28th Judicial District Bar
• Asheville Area Chamber of Commerce
  • Board Member and Attorney, 1998-present
• North Carolina Bar Association
  • Board of Governors, 1995-1998
  • Dispute Resolution Section Council, 2008-present
  • General Practice Section, 1981-1995
    • Chair, 1993
• North Carolina Court System: Chief Justice's Commission on Professionalism, 2007-present
• North Carolina State Bar

Recognitions

• AV Peer Review Rated by Martindale-Hubbell