Lincolnton, NC

Tracy Calhoun

Ms. Calhoun has been practicing civil, domestic and criminal litigation since beginning her career in the legal field in 1989. Ms. Calhoun graduated from the University of Southern Mississippi with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Paralegal Studies with a minor in Spanish. She earned her Juris Doctor degree from Charlotte School of Law, graduating with honors. During her years there she worked as a Senior Editor for the Charlotte Law Review, in which one of her articles is published. She was Torts Teaching Assistant, instructing students about civil claims such as personal injury, contractual claims, and other civil injuries. She volunteered at the Mississippi Center for Justice, working to help victims of Hurricane Katrina and the housing crisis that resulted from it. She also volunteered with Habitat for Humanity, the Innocence Project, and Charlotte School of Law’s Mentor Program. She is affiliated with many associations, and received a number of honors and awards. She most recently received the Trial Lawyers Top 100 Notable award for 2020. She is a “Lifetime Member” of the World Wide Association of Notable Alumni.

Josh Valentine

Josh Valentine is an attorney specializing in family law, including separation, divorce, child custody, property distribution, spousal support, and domestic violence protective orders. He is admitted to the North Carolina State Bar, South Carolina State Bar, and the United States Federal Court for the Western District of North Carolina. He graduated Magna Cum Laude from Charlotte School of Law and Summa Cum Laude from Gardner-Webb University. He is a member of the American Association of Premier DUI Attorneys and has received several awards, including Super Lawyers Rising Stars and Top 40 under 40 by The National Trial Lawyers. He is actively involved in community service and mentors high-risk youth.

Ralph W. Meekins

A native North Carolinian and fourth-generation lawyer, Ralph W. Meekins is a partner at Teddy, Meekins & Talbert, P.L.L.C. He graduated with Distinction from Campbell University School of Law in 1986. He is Board Certified in Civil Trial Advocacy by the National Board of Trial Advocacy since 1995 and a Board Certified Mediator. He is recognized as an NC Super Lawyer, Top 100 Lawyer in NC, and a member of the Million-Dollar Advocates Forum. He has served on the Board of Governors for the North Carolina Bar Association and as a State Bar Counselor for the North Carolina State Bar. He is a former President of the Cleveland County Bar Association and Past Chairman of the Board for the Cleveland County YMCA and Past Chair of the Dover Foundation YMCA.

Will Meekins

Will Meekins is an attorney at Teddy, Meekins & Talbert, P.L.L.C. He is a former Infantry Officer in the military, graduated from Ranger School, and earned his expert infantryman badge. He continues to serve as a Major in the Army Reserves. He completed his legal education at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill School of Law, graduating with honors. He was a competing member and coach of the Broun National Trial Team and President of the Veterans Advocacy Legal Organization. He clerked for Young Moore and Henderson, P.A. and for the Honorable Judge Max O. Cogburn. He is recognized as The National Trial Lawyers Top 40 under 40 - Civil Plaintiff and a Member of the Million Dollar Advocates Forum.

David R. Teddy

A lifelong resident of Shelby, North Carolina, David Teddy was raised with a strong desire to help the people of the community he grew up in. He has been practicing law in Cleveland County more than 20 years. He is a partner in the Shelby firm of Teddy, Meekins & Talbert, P.L.L.C. He is a board-certified specialist in North Carolina Criminal Law since 1999, re-certified in 2010 and 2020. He is the author of the N.C. DWI Trial Notebook. He is the immediate past president of the criminal law section of the N.C. Advocates for Justice and a former President of the North Carolina Advocates of Justice. He served an 8-year term as a member of the North Carolina Indigent Defense Services Commission, chairing it in his final year. He received the John B. McMillan service award from the N.C. State Bar.

Daniel R. Talbert

A lifelong resident of Cleveland County, NC, Daniel R. Talbert is a partner at Teddy, Meekins & Talbert, P.L.L.C. He focuses his practice on trial litigation, including criminal defense and family law. He graduated with Honors from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill in 1998 and received his J.D. from Campbell Law School in 2001. He became a partner in 2005. He was certified by the North Carolina Bar as a specialist in State Criminal Law in 2010. He has served as President of the 27B Judicial District and President and Vice-President of the Cleveland County Bar Association.

Blake Caulder

Blake Caulder is a North Carolina native and attorney who practices family law and guardianship. He graduated Summa Cum Laude from Charlotte School of Law and Gardner-Webb University. He is admitted to the North Carolina State Bar and South Carolina State Bar. Blake is actively involved in community service and prison ministry. He has received awards such as Legal Elite in Family Law and Top 40 under 40 by The National Advocates.