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Parks Zeigler, PLLC is thrilled to announce that Emily E. McLaughlin, Esq., a seasoned litigator with over 10 years of legal experience in Virginia, has officially been waived into the North Carolina State Bar and is now licensed to practice in North Carolina. After a several months long process, involving a detailed background investigation of her entire adult life and consultation with dozens of colleagues, supervisors, and judges, the North Carolina Board of Bar Examiners determined that Emily’s experience and reputation in Virginia qualified her to become a licensed attorney in North Carolina. This milestone further expands her ability to serve families and individuals in Northeast North Carolina, including Elizabeth City, where our NC headquarters is located.
A Decade of Legal Excellence in Virginia
Emily began her legal career as a prosecutor in Prince William County, where she focused on narcotics, violent crime, and worked with multiple local, state, and federal drug and gang task forces. Her involvement in Operation Worthy Cause contributed to her team receiving the Montgomery County Chamber of Commerce’s “Public Safety Government Partner of the Year” award. She went on to prosecute serious criminal cases in the Suffolk and Chesapeake Commonwealth’s Attorney’s Offices, gaining extensive trial experience, including hundreds of trials, many in front of juries involving drug trafficking, child sexual abuse and homicide. Additionally, she has years of teaching experience, instructing law enforcement on topics such as DUI investigations, Fourth Amendment law, expert testimony, and arson investigations. Emily has also taught courses on trial skills and motions practice for legal professionals across Virginia. She serves as a judge for the trial advocacy, mock trial, and moot court programs for multiple law schools in the region.
From Scholar to Advocate
A Virginia native from Warrenton, Emily earned her B.A. in Government with a pre-law focus at the College of William & Mary, where she was also an NCAA cheerleader. She continued her studies at Penn State Law, graduating magna cum laude and receiving the George F. Douglas Memorial Award for Excellence in Trial Advocacy. She was also a leader in moot court and legal fraternities, demonstrating her commitment to legal scholarship and advocacy early on.
A Powerful Addition to the Elizabeth City Office
With her new North Carolina license, Emily will practice family law and criminal/traffic defense out of Parks Zeigler’s Elizabeth City office. She brings her proven courtroom advocacy, trial skills, and deep commitment to justice to clients in Northeastern North Carolina. Her ability to represent clients across both states uniquely positions her to assist with interstate matters, military family concerns, child custody disputes, and criminal defense cases.
In addition to representing military clients in family law and criminal matters, Emily is one of only three attorneys in the Northeastern North Carolina region accredited to represent veterans and their dependents in compensation, pension, and benefits cases before U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs.
Why This Matters to Clients
- Expanded Legal Reach: Clients in North Carolina now benefit from Emily’s decade of litigation experience.
- Courts and Community: Emily can now represent clients on both sides of the state line, providing seamless support for complex or cross-state issues.
- Local Presence: She will see clients directly in Northeastern NC, offering accessible and personalized legal guidance.
Learn More and Schedule a Consultation
Emily is now accepting new clients for family law, criminal and traffic defense, and related matters in North Carolina from her Elizabeth City office at 200 N. Water Street, Suite 2A. She continues to serve clients in Virginia as well.
Visit her profile to learn more about her background and credentials. https://www.pzlaw.com/attorneys/emily-mclaughlin/
A Win for Clients
Clients in North Carolina now have access to another highly qualified litigator with deep courtroom experience and a client-centered approach, right in their community. To schedule a consultation with Emily E. McLaughlin, contact our Elizabeth City office today. 252-679-8880.
Written By Steph Wood
Steph Wood is an experienced marketing professional with a background in creative branding, business development, and strategic communications. She spent over 15 years leading her own agency, developing campaigns and strategies for nonprofits, athletes, and businesses. She also served as Director of Marketing & Special Events for the Boys & Girls Clubs of the Virginia Peninsula.
Steph studied graphic design and communications at Chowan University and later pursued business and ministry leadership at Regent University. At Parks Zeigler, she oversees firm-wide marketing and intake, bringing expertise in campaign strategy, digital media, communications, client relationships, and community engagement.
A proud mother to an Old Dominion University graduate, Steph is also a speaker on topics of leadership and empowerment.
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