WATSI M. SUTTON
Greenville,NC
There is a powerful driving force inside every human being that, once unleashed, can make any vision, dream, or desire a reality.
Tony Robbins
Summary
A persuasive and skilled legal advisor and litigator with 23 years of experience practicing law across broad practice areas. Offering an array of skills in trial advocacy, legal research and writing, public sector, municipal law, contract drafting and review, mediation and settlement negotiations, nonprofit organization law, employment law, creative and complex legal strategy development and problem-solving, personnel and program management. Mission-centric leader with a proven ability to assess legal requirements and constraints in view of public sector mission or business objectives to develop practical solutions to provoke and sustain growth and achieve organizational goals.
SUMMARY OF CORE QUALIFICATIONS North Carolina Licensed Attorney 23 Years
Legal Analysis
Nonprofit Executive Management
Creative Problem Solving Skills
Assessing Liability
Trial Advocacy
Arbitration and Mediation Skills
Policy and Procedure Development
Contract Drafting and Review
Excellent Oral and Written Communication Skills Negotiations
Building Strategic Relationships
Risk Management
Overview
24
24
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
TOWN ATTORNEY | Town of Williamston
04.2021 - Current
- Conduct legal research
- Interpreting and applying laws and regulations to formulate legal opinions and provide legal advice consistent with the law
- Employ professional legal judgment in counseling and advising town elected officials, management, and staff
- Negotiating settlements
- Interface with diverse stakeholders to effectuate the mission of the
- Town and to further the strategic goals of the Town Board of Commissioners
- Attend meetings of the Town Board of
- Commissioners as legal advisor
- Respond to public inquiries, Freedom of Information requests, and subpoenas
- Draft and approve contracts, ordinances, and policies
- Provide general comprehensive legal counsel in matters including but not limited to complex and highly visible municipal and public sector legal matters involving Constitutional Law, land use, zoning and development, real property, employment law and policies, public contract procurement, law enforcement and emergency management.
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
Koinonia Community Solutions
04.2021 - Current
- Worked closely with board of directors to guide and execute operational strategy to fulfill nonprofit mission.
- Direct all organization staff and oversee all phases of operations, including program design and implementation, marketing, community outreach, fundraising, revenue development and grant writing.
- Built relationships with funders, donors, government officials and other organizations to secure $1.5 M in funding and support for organization within 24 months, growing operations and program staff from 2 to 50.
- Establish employment and administrative policies and procedures for all functions and for the day-to-day operation of the nonprofit and ensure legal compliance.
MANAGING PRINCIPAL
Watsi M. Sutton, Attorney At Law, P.A
01.2006 - 01.2021
- Operated and managed general practice law firm, concentrating practice in criminal, juvenile delinquency, family, and juvenile welfare matters on behalf of Department of Social Services and Parent-Respondents, civil litigation, consumer bankruptcy, and personal injury matters in mediation, arbitration before the District, Superior, Administrative and Appellate Courts.
- Counsel and advise executive staff and board of directors for educational, nonprofit, and religious organizations in matters related to contracts, unemployment benefits, employment practices and policies, risk/liability, and litigation matters
- Develop employment and risk management policies and train employees for maximized compliance.
- Drafted, reviewed and negotiated contracts and other legal documents to support client needs.
- Researched and interpreted laws, rulings and regulations to advise clients on business and legal transactions.
- Developed legal strategies to protect client interests and resolve disputes through negotiated settlements, hearings, trials and appeals.
MANAGING ATTORNEY
Legal Aid of North Carolina, Inc
01.2004 - 01.2006
- Directed advocacy activities and represented indigent and elderly clients in housing, employment, family, domestic violence, consumer, bankruptcy, and predatory lending/foreclosure defense matters in administrative, federal and state courts
- Secured and managed grant funding for and directed special advocacy and community outreach projects
- Trained and mentored staff attorneys and performed data compliance reporting to federal, state, and private grant funders.
ASSISTANT DISTRICT ATTORNEY
District Attorney, Second Judicial District
01.2004 - 08.2004
- Prosecuted criminal misdemeanors and juvenile offenses in Criminal District and Juvenile Court via trial or plea.
- Reviewed law enforcemetn reports, prepared bills of indictment and made appropriate plea offers to defense counsel in felony criminal cases.
- Prepared witnesses and cases for trial.
STAFF ATTORNEY | Legal Aid of North Carolina, Inc
01.2001 - 01.2003
- Represented indigent and elderly clients in federal subsidized housing, landlord/tenant, public benefits appeals, domestic violence and family matters in the Administrative and Civil District and Superior Court
- Conducted outreach and legal education clinics for local nonprofit organizations and churches.
ASSOCIATE ATTORNEY
Brooks Stevens & Pope, P.A
01.2000 - 01.2001
- Researched and developed initial strategy for defending against potential liability exposure for Workers’
- Compensation claims
- Propounded discovery and prepared discovery responses
- Prepared senior counsel for mediation and arbitration hearings.
Education
J.D. -
05.2000
Earned Full Academic Scholarship
Bachelor of Science - Economics
05.1997
Summa Cum Laude
Earned Full Academic Scholarships
- National Alumni Scholarship Recipient
- Chancellor's Scholarship Recipient
Skills
- Local Jurisdiction Expertise
- Critical Thinking
- Public Speaking
- Legal Research
- Complex Problem-Solving
- Strategic Negotiations
- Municipal Law
- Management of Personnel Resources
- Teamwork and Collaboration
- Legal Strategy Development
- Leadership Development
- Driving Revenue
- Team Bonding
- Coaching and Counseling
Accomplishments
Maintained North Carolina Law License in good standing since August 2000.
Secured $1.5 M in unrestricted, government and foundation operations and program grant funding, growing operational budget by 400% and personnel resources from a staff of 2 to 50 within 24 months as nonprofit executive for emerging community development corporation.
Affiliations
North Carolina State Bar, August 2000 | Nonpartisan Nominee, District Court Judge, Second Judicial District, 2010
Primary and General Election Candidate Endorsed by NC Association of Women Attorneys, 2018 Nominee to
Governor | Past Vice President, Craven County Bar Association | Past President, Beaufort County Bar Association
Additional Information
- SELECT HONORS AND COMMUNITY AFFILIATIONS , Community Champion Award, Washington-Plymouth Alumnae, Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. | Citizen of the Year, Nu Alpha Chapter, Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc. | Attorney of the Year, G. R. Lovick Scholarship Foundation
Certification
Nonprofit Management Institute
North Carolina Center for Nonprofits, 2021
Rural Economic Development Leadership Institute,
North Carolina Rural Center, 2023
Work Availability
monday
tuesday
wednesday
thursday
friday
saturday
sunday
morning
afternoon
evening
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Timeline
- TOWN ATTORNEY | Town of Williamston
04.2021 - Current
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR - Koinonia Community Solutions
04.2021 - Current
MANAGING PRINCIPAL - Watsi M. Sutton, Attorney At Law, P.A
01.2006 - 01.2021
MANAGING ATTORNEY - Legal Aid of North Carolina, Inc
01.2004 - 01.2006
ASSISTANT DISTRICT ATTORNEY - District Attorney, Second Judicial District
01.2004 - 08.2004
- STAFF ATTORNEY | Legal Aid of North Carolina, Inc
01.2001 - 01.2003
ASSOCIATE ATTORNEY - Brooks Stevens & Pope, P.A
01.2000 - 01.2001
University of North Carolina School of Law - J.D.,
North Carolina A & T State University - Bachelor of Science, Economics
Nonprofit Management Institute
North Carolina Center for Nonprofits, 2021
Rural Economic Development Leadership Institute,
North Carolina Rural Center, 2023
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