Andrew T. Shilling | Family, Mediation & Estates

Background and Education

The son of a government official, Andy grew up in various parts of the country, including Ohio, Colorado, and Texas. He attended the College of William and Mary and graduated in 1988 with a B.A. with honors in Government. Andy then went to the University of Richmond Law School, obtaining his J.D. in 1991. While in law school, he won the moot court competition, the trial competition (twice), and the writing competition.

After passing the Virginia bar exam in 1991, Andy worked in one of the largest law firms in the country in its Norfolk office, primarily defending large business and insurance companies. After several years of working at the large law firm, he moved to a smaller firm to have the opportunity to focus on helping individuals and their families. In 2000, Andy started his own law firm in Chesapeake, Virginia, which grew into the successful practice of Shilling & Barlow. In 2007, he passed the North Carolina bar and began practicing in the First District of North Carolina, eventually spending an equal amount of time on both sides of the border.

Andy regularly appeared in the trial courts of both Virginia and North Carolina and has represented clients before the Virginia Court of Appeals, the North Carolina Court of Appeals, and the Virginia Supreme Court. He has additionally appeared in the federal courts, both at the trial level and on appeal, including arguing before the Fourth Circuit Court of Appeals and being a member of the Bar of the Supreme Court of the United States.

Becoming Part of Parks Zeigler

In 2021, Parks Zeigler gave Andy the opportunity to open an office in North Carolina and expand the firm’s practice into his home state. Andy now practices primarily in North Carolina, where he focuses his practice on estate planning and family law. He is a certified mediator and assists parties with cases pending before the clerk of court, the District Court and the Superior Court. He has also been appointed by the court to act as an arbitrator in civil actions filed in the First District.