Warsaw, NC

Kennedy L. Thompson has tried to verdict hundreds of cases, ranging from DWI and misdemeanor assault to felonious drug crimes, first-degree murder, and catastrophic personal injury matters. With more than two decades of legal experience, he defends clients to the very best of his abilities.

J. Garrett Ludlum

J. Garrett Ludlum was born in Wilmington on Oct. 2, 1947. After completing high school at New Hanover High School, he attended Wake Forest and graduated from Campbell College in 1969. He taught 6th grade at Kenansville Elementary for one year in 1970 before entering the banking business where he worked until 1976. During this time, Garrett was also a member of the North Carolina National Guard. In 1976, he became a member of the charter class of the Campbell College School of Law. Upon completing law school and the bar exam, he moved to Warsaw in 1981 and has practiced law there ever since. He is married to Patsy Sheffield, they have two sons, John, a special agent with the Naval Criminal Investigative Service, and Hayes, his partner in Ludlum Law Firm, P.A. He and his wife have four grandchildren. Garrett is a general practitioner in the truest sense. He is attorney for the towns of Kenansville, Magnolia, Faison and Teachey. He is and has been an active member of the Duplin County indigent defense list throughout his career. He also devotes a significant portion of his practice to real estate closings, estate planning and administration as well as civil litigation. Additionally, he is a certified Superior Court mediator. Over the course of his career, Garrett has served the Warsaw community and Duplin County in several regards. He has previously served as president of the 4th Judicial District Bar, which encompasses Duplin, Sampson, Jones, and Onslow counties. He has been an elder as well as clerk of session in Warsaw Presbyterian Church. For eight years, he volunteered to serve as athletic officer for Duplin County American Legion Post 127’s baseball program. Additionally, he has been a contributor to athletics at James Kenan High School. Lastly, he is Chairman of the board of directors of Southern Bank and Trust in Duplin County. Garrett is a tireless worker and provides thorough and efficient representation to clients across his many practice areas. His work product reflects the time and effort he dedicates to his work as well as his legal acumen, all of which serve his clients well. Garrett truly takes pride in the work he does and is extremely proud to be a part of the legal profession. Garrett prides himself in being a mentor to young members of the Duplin County Bar. He welcomes the opportunity to mentor young lawyers regardless of the specific situation or practice area; no issue is too small.

Hayes S. Ludlum

Hayes was born in Wilmington on February 6, 1980. He is a 1998 graduate of James Kenan High School and 2002 graduate of Hampden-Sydney College where he majored in history and played baseball. Hayes earned his J.D. in 2005 from Campbell University. Hayes married his wife, Emily, in 2004, they have two children, Miller and Harper Jane. Hayes enjoys jogging, fishing, duck hunting and playing golf. In 2012, 2016 and 2017 Hayes was named a “Rising Star” by Superlawyers Magazine. Additionally, in 2012 Hayes became and remains Duplin County’s only State Bar Certified Specialist in criminal defense. Though Ludlum Law Firm is a general practice firm, 90 percent of Hayes’ practice is dedicated to criminal defense. Hayes handles all types of felony, misdemeanor, and traffic cases in Duplin County and Sampson County. Hayes has served the Fourth Judicial District Bar as Vice President (2007-2008) and President (2008-2009). A small portion of Hayes’ practice is devoted to general civil litigation and municipal law. Ludlum Law Firm represents four municipalities in Duplin County.