Your Defense Team
Meet your NC Defense Team that fights for you and cares about you.
Mia Alzagari
Paralegal
Mia is originally from Palestine and has been a Gastonia native for most of her life. Mia lives with her loving husband, Samer while doing what she is passionate about every day.
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Educational Summary
- Gaston College – Associate in Arts
- University of North Carolina at Charlotte – Bachelors in Criminal Justice
- University of North Carolina at Charlotte – Paralegal Certification
Favorite Quote
“It always seems impossible, until its done” – Nelson Mandela
Kristen Dewar
Associate Attorney
Kristen graduated from Charlotte School of Law, cum laude, with a Juris Doctor and a Certificate in Art of Advocacy Skills in 2015, and has been licensed to practice law in North Carolina since 2015.
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Born and raised in Toronto, Ontario, Canada, Kristen was told by teachers at a young age that she had a “strong sense of justice.”
She graduated from the University of Toronto (B.A., Political Science, 2008), and continued her previous career in retail management and human resources until Kristen also decided to make good on what she had always been told, and went to Charlotte School of Law, where she was on Dean’s List, and was a member of Order of the Crown.
Allie Dunlap
Associate Attorney
Allie was born and raised in Kernersville, North Carolina and is passionate about serving her local community.
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Allie attended Campbell University where she graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration in December of 2016. Allie was a member of Campbell’s Division I Soccer Team and served as a First Year Student Athlete Mentor.
Allie received her Juris Doctorate from Elon University School of Law in December 2019. While attending law school, Allie completed her Residency Program at the Guilford County District Attorney’s Office and spent her summers working at a general law practice in Kernersville.
Allie has successfully completed the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration’s course on DUI Detection and Standardized Field Sobriety Testing, a 24-hour course taught to officers trained in DWI investigations.
Allie met her husband Landon while attending East Forsyth High School and they were married in 2020. They enjoy spending their free time with their family and two cats, Bella & Blair.
Michael Franchi
Associate Attorney
When the work day ends, Michael comes home to his wonderful wife, daughter, black lab, and two cats. He enjoys golfing, running, watching sports, and spending time with his family.
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Educational Summary
- University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, B.A.
- Campbell University School of Law, J.D.
Favorite Quote
“The journey is the reward.” – Chinese Proverb
Kenia Garcia
Client Relations Manager
Kenia was born in New Jersey but proudly from Salvadorian descent. I am currently a college student, I am bilingual in English & Spanish and I seek to help you!
!Hola¡ Hablo Español, Deseo ayudarle con lo que pueda! Somos un equipo muy trabajador y dedicado a nuestros clientes.
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Educational Summary
Kenia is currently enrolled in school for a business degree.
Favorite Quote
“When we seek to discover the best in others, we somehow bring out the best in ourselves.” – William Arthur Ward
Stephanie Heller
Paralegal
Stephanie lives in Swannanoa NC with her 3 kids that she hides from in the bathroom regularly, her husband and her dog. She loves helping people to feel better about her own life and pretend she has it together.
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Favorite Quote
“Never settle for anything less than pure joy” – Amy Atheston
Gint Krulikas
Equity Partner
Gint Krulikas grew up in the mountains of Asheville but has since migrated to the coastal region of North Carolina where he lives with his wife Margaret and their son Sam. Gint enjoys mixing it up between enjoying the outdoors and staying inside playing video games.
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Educational Summary
- Charlotte School of Law – Magna Cum Laude
- Appalachian State University – Magna Cum Laude
- Notable CLEs
- NHTSA DWI Detection and SFST Training
- NHTSA Advance Roadside Impaired Driving Enforcement Overview / Refresher
- NHTSA Drug Recognition Expert Overview / Refresher
Favorite Quote
“Never tell me the odds.” – Han Solo
Blake Marcus
Managing Partner
Blake was born in South Florida, but fell in love with the Mountains of Western Carolina. Blake lives in Asheville with his wife, two kids, and three cats.
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Educational Summary
- Florida State University – Bachelor of Science in Accounting and Finance, Magna Cum Laude (2006-2010)
- Michigan State University College of Law – Magna Cum Laude (2011-2014)
Favorite Quote
“It is hard to fail, but it is worse to never have tried to succeed.” -Teddy Roosevelt
James "Jake" Minick
Equity Partner
Jake was raised in Waynesville and has always called the mountains of North Carolina home. Jake and his beautiful wife Laura live with their 7 children in Weaverville.
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Favorite Quote
“What we do in life, echoes in eternity.” – Maximus, Gladiator
Lance Williams
Equity Partner
Lance is a Louisiana swamp native transplanted to the Carolinas. He has an awesome wife Brandy and two teenaged boys that he constantly drives from place to place.
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Educational Summary
He is a graduate of the Charlotte School of Law in Charlotte, NC. During law school, Lance interned at the Mecklenburg County District Attorney’s Office. He is certified in DWI Detection and Standardized Field Sobriety Testing (24 hour training) and Advanced Roadside Impaired Driving Enforcement (16 hour training) by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration
Favorite Quote
“I refuse to join any club that would have me as a member.”
-Groucho Marx
Holly O'Brien
Billing Administrator
Holly is a native Floridian who graduated with honors from Tulane University in International Relations while working for the US Attorney’s Office in New Orleans.
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Holly went on to a career as linguist, contracting specialist and project manager for the US Government before traveling the world. The highlight of her time overseas was working as the Ambassador’s Self-Help Coordinator in Asmara, Eritrea.
Holly was drawn to settle in Asheville by the kindness of its citizens and is committed to easing the process of facing charges for our clients.
Holly has worked with the Literacy Council of Buncombe Co teaching English to Spanish speaking immigrants and studies Spanish and Russian intensely to keep in constant communication with our clients.
Henry Padilla
Hispanic Outreach Director
Henry was born and raised in Bolivia, South America. He lives with his beautiful wife Megan and two awesome kids.
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Educational Summary
- Undergraduate degree in Economics at University of Saint Francis Xavier
- Attended Law school in at University of Saint Francis Xavier
Favorite Quote
“All our dreams can come true if we have the courage to pursue them.”
-Walt Disney
Navi Sandhu III
Managing Partner
Navi Sandhu III was born and raised in North Carolina and completed law school at the North Carolina Central School of Law.
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Educational Summary
UNC School of Government: misdemeanor defender course, felony defender course, fellowship for trial school at UNC SOGS, SFST certified, ARIDE certified, DRE and SFST Instructor.
Favorite Quote
“Being humble is to be felt, it’s not something that you show off.”
Amy Smith
Managing Partner
Amy graduated cum laude from Campbell Law School in Raleigh, North Carolina. She received her undergraduate degree in mass communication at UNC Asheville. Amy has successfully completed the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration’s course on DWI Detection and Standardized Field Sobriety Testing.
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Educational Summary
- UNC Asheville
- Campbell University School of Law, Cum Laude
- Attended the 24 hour DWI Detection and Standardized Field Sobriety Testing Course and the 7th Annual DWI Super Symposium
- NCAJ member, Buncombe Bar Member, NC Bar Association Member
Contact Us
Get the defense you want and need. Contact us today to schedule your free consultation.
Our Mission
The Minick Law team aims to provide our clients with outstanding legal representation. Our attorneys are constantly improving their knowledge of the law, in an effort to arm our clients with the defense they deserve.