Jane Dearwester
Asheville,North Carolina
Summary
Seasoned litigator with strong background in real estate and business litigation. Building proficiency in estates and trust litigation. Licensed to practice law in all state and federal Courts in NC, including 4th Circuit U.S. Court of Appeals. Also licensed to practice law in Kentucky and license pending admission to Tennessee.
Overview
22
22
years of professional experience
Work History
Associate Attorney
McIntyre Elder Law
09.2023 - Current
- Meet with clients to analyze and recommend estate plan, probate, long-term care Medicaid benefits planning, VA benefits qualification, and related litigation
- Currently in full time litigation role handling trust & estates litigation, quiet title actions, will caveats, partitions and probate disputes
- Perform live seminars focused on elder law and estate planning for potential clients and community groups
Senior Associate Attorney
King Law Offices
05.2023 - 08.2023
- Handled civil litigation docket across Western North Carolina
- Mentored junior team members to enhance their professional skills and knowledge, fostering a collaborative work environment.
- Provided legal counsel to clients on diverse business, financial and civil matters.
- Negotiated settlements of disputes and litigation.
- Prepared and filed pleadings, motions and other legal documents in court proceedings.
- Counseled clients on potential outcomes of legal matters.
Managing Attorney (NC/KY)
The Litigation Practice Group, PC
10.2021 - 03.2023
- Opened new branches in two states for a nationwide consumer defense law firm
- Responsible for all legal compliance relating to establishing new offices for LPG in North Carolina and Kentucky
- Brought in experienced staff members and supervised local and back-office personnel
- Developed and managed a high-volume caseload
- Drafted and reviewed settlement agreements, confessions of judgment, and consumer debt-related discovery
- Reviewed consumer credit reports and challenged inaccurate entries with credit bureaus
- Litigated FDCPA and FCRA in federal courts (NC)
- Represented debtors and homeowners in foreclosure defense matters and other real estate debt related civil litigation in North Carolina
Associate Attorney
Ferikes & Bleynat, PLLC
04.2014 - 10.2021
- Assisted partner of firm in discovery and settlement of over 70 federal lawsuits brought as a mass action against lending institutions in failed land development cases
- Experienced with litigation processes and procedures, including written discovery, depositions, and client management
- Managed steady caseload including foreclosure defense matters, curative work for title companies, real estate and business litigation, real estate transactions, and closings
- Also experienced with municipal and zoning matters on behalf of developers, property owners, and municipal entities
- Create content and perform continuing education presentations on foreclosure defense and real estate investment for attorneys, real estate brokers, and community organizations
- Assisted marketing director with firm website refurbish and social media content
Partner, Co-Founder
Soboleski Law, PC
08.2009 - 04.2014
- Developed and managed state-wide foreclosure defense law practice
- Defended consumers against banks and lending institutions from foreclosure and negotiated loan modifications, short sales, forbearances, Deeds-in-Lieu of foreclosure transactions and other resolutions to defaulted mortgage obligations
- Drafted and argued emergency motions to enjoin foreclosure sales
- Performed real estate transactions, including closings
- Adept at handling complex and contentious real estate transactions
- Regularly performed pro bono work for low-income individuals and families in financial distress
- Collaborated and regularly advised legal aid and community development providers on development of foreclosure defense law in NC
- Organized and prepared CLE materials and was a speaker at CLE events for attorneys and paralegals on consumer law and foreclosure defense
Partner, Co-Founder
The Hart Law Group, PC
01.2008 - 04.2009
- Managed real estate practice group of law practice with one partner
- Performed real estate closings, litigation and other transactional work
- Began representing consumers and homeowners in foreclosure defense and loan modification workout negotiations
Solo practice
Dearwester Law, PC
09.2005 - 12.2008
- Established and managed successful solo law practice performing real estate transactions and closings
- Also represented clients in civil and criminal litigation
- Streamlined internal processes by developing templates for commonly used legal documents and correspondence.
- Achieved favorable outcomes for clients through skilled negotiation and effective litigation strategies.
Managing Attorney
Brock & Scott, PLLC
06.2003 - 07.2005
- Served as Managing Attorney for the Asheville branch of a state-wide real estate law firm in North Carolina
- Duties included: performing all closings - in and out of the office, working all problem files and complex title claims, reviewing title work and signing off of preliminary title options and final title opinions, attending foreclosure hearings as Trustee in 19 WNC counties, marketing and developing relationships with new and existing clients and referral sources, and hiring and firing office support staff
- Reduced potential litigation risks for clients by conducting thorough title searches and resolving property disputes.
- Contributed to the firm''s growth by cultivating lasting relationships with clients, earning referrals and repeat business for real estate-related matters.
Education
Juris Doctor - Law
05.2000
Honors & Activities:
- Gourley Moot Court Competition, National Team Member
- Louis L. Manderino Honor Society - for excellence in Trial Advocacy
- Study Abroad: London, England - University College London
Transnational Litigation, Comparative Constitutional Law
06.1999
- Studied Transnational Litigation and Comparative Constitutional Law at University College London (UK). Constitutional scholar John Hart Ely was one of my instructors.
- Attended comparative law seminars in London and Paris. Traveled throughout England and Central Europe.
Bachelor of Arts - Political Science, Philosophy
05.1997
- Major: Political Science - Public Policy Concentration; Minor: Philosophy
- Senior Independent Study Thesis: Constitutional Interpretation: A Textual Analysis of the Term Limits Initiative (155 pgs)
- Honors & Activities: Philosophy Honor Society - Phi Sigma Tau, Inter-Greek Council President, Judicial Board Member
Skills
- Exceptional computer/office skills including Westlaw, Lexis, Amicus, Zola Suite (Caret), Clio, Outlook, SoftPro, DPP(Forth), Microsoft 365
- Versed in business etiquette, superb telephone and electronic communication skills
- Excellent composure in handling complex problem solving and dealing with agitated and distressed clients
- Experienced and capable manager
- Extremely organized and detail oriented
- Over 15 years experience in real estate law (transactional, title curative & litigation)
- Court preparation
- Mediation
- Discovery processes
- Litigation management
Licensesandadmissions
- North Carolina State Bar, NCSB#27782
- North Carolina real estate broker, NCREC# 309276
- Federal District Courts in NC, Western/Middle/Eastern
- Kentucky State Bar, KBA#100116
- Tennessee State Bar, pending, 04/01/22
Activities
- Speaker at multiple continuing education and community events - topics include foreclosure defense, real estate, ethics, and consumer law.
- Published author.
- Avid traveler.
Personal Information
- Specialization: emphasis in real estate and distressed debt litigation
- Title: Civil Litigation Attorney
Timeline
Associate Attorney - McIntyre Elder Law
09.2023 - Current
Senior Associate Attorney - King Law Offices
05.2023 - 08.2023
Managing Attorney (NC/KY) - The Litigation Practice Group, PC
10.2021 - 03.2023
Associate Attorney - Ferikes & Bleynat, PLLC
04.2014 - 10.2021
Partner, Co-Founder - Soboleski Law, PC
08.2009 - 04.2014
Partner, Co-Founder - The Hart Law Group, PC
01.2008 - 04.2009
Solo practice - Dearwester Law, PC
09.2005 - 12.2008
Managing Attorney - Brock & Scott, PLLC
06.2003 - 07.2005
Duquesne University - The Law School - Juris Doctor, Law
University of Miami, FL School of Law - , Transnational Litigation, Comparative Constitutional Law
The College of Wooster - Bachelor of Arts, Political Science, Philosophy
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