Poyner Spruill LLP is pleased to announce the addition of eight summer associates to the firm in the Raleigh, Charlotte, and Rocky Mount offices. The firm’s annual summer associate program, which began on May 15, 2023, allows law school students to gain experience in multiple practice areas.
“We are very excited to welcome eight summer associates to the firm,” said Poyner Spruill Managing Partner Dan Cahill. “Throughout the next six weeks, Poyner Spruill will provide opportunities for the summer associates to network with our attorneys while gaining invaluable experience such as attending depositions, assisting with legal research, and preparing mediations.”
Learn more about each of the firm’s summer associates below.
Cecilia Barreca (Rocky Mount) is a rising 3L at the University of North Carolina School of Law.
Cecilia is a Co-Coordinator for the Dean’s Fellow Program and an active member of the Transactional and Corporate Law Association. Cecilia has also worked on several pro bono projects through the UNC School of Law Pro Bono Program, her favorite being with the Orange County Volunteer Income Tax Assistance Program. Attorneys Chris Dwight and Savannah Story are mentoring Cecilia during her time at the firm.
Todd Bowyer (Raleigh) is a rising 3L at Elon University School of Law.
Todd is a Notes & Comments Editor on the Elon Law Review, a member of the Moot Court Board, the President of the Education Law Society, a Leadership Fellow, and a Teaching Assistant. Among the top of his class, Todd has received many academic honors, including being recognized as a Presidential Scholar and named to the Dean’s List several times. Prior to law school, Todd worked for ten years in higher education, specifically in student affairs. Todd will be mentored by attorneys Brett Carpenter and Rebecca Williams during the summer associate program.
Lauryl Fright (Raleigh) has completed her first year at Campbell University School of Law.
Lauryl is ranked among the top 13% of her class at Campbell University School of Law. She will assist mentors Amanda Sherin and Cosmo Zinkow with litigation, financial services, and business transaction matters.
Jessica Hobbs (Charlotte) is returning as a summer associate in the firm’s Charlotte office. She is a rising 3L at the University of North Carolina School of Law, and the recipient of the university’s Eugene Gressman & Daniel H. Pollitt Oral Advocacy Award.
Jessica is the secretary for the Black Law Students Association and a student coach for the Black Law Students Association Mock Trial Team. Last summer, Jessica supported the firm’s financial services; real estate, zoning, and land use; and government attorneys by researching legal issues, drafting and editing documents, and attending depositions. This year, she will work closely with mentors Nick Tosco and Joanne Wu-White.
Grayson LaMontagne (Raleigh) is returning as a summer associate in the firm’s Raleigh office. She is a 3L student at Campbell University School of Law.
Grayson is involved in her university as a student representative on the Themis Bar Review, a member of Lawyers and Leaders, and a member of Women in Law. In addition to her experience working with the Employee Benefits Practice Group at Poyner Spruill, Grayson has assisted with real estate closings, criminal justice reform, and eviction defense cases. This summer, she will work closely with attorneys Stephanie Sanders and Laura Jordan on real estate and financial services matters.
Clare Magee (Charlotte) is a rising 3L at Wake Forest University School of Law.
Clare will support attorneys Missy Jaskolka and Sarah Fritsch with litigation, financial services, and creditors’ rights and bankruptcy matters. She is involved with various organizations at Wake Forest University School of Law—Clare is a member of the Wake Forest Law Review, a member of Moot Court, a Wake Forest Law Ambassador, and a NCBA Representative.
Kelly Newcomb (Raleigh) is a 2L at the University of North Carolina School of Law.
Kelly has returned for her second summer working with Stephanie Goodbar and Stephanie Gumm on litigation, land use, and creditors’ rights and bankruptcy matters. Kelly previously worked as a paralegal at Janvier Law Firm, PLLC, where she managed all chapter 13 bankruptcy cases from the time of filing through dismissal/discharge. This past spring semester, Kelly externed for Chief Judge David Warren at the United States Bankruptcy Court for the Eastern District of North Carolina.
Kevin Quintana (Charlotte) has completed his first year at the University of North Carolina School of Law.
Kevin will support attorneys Sarah DiFranco and Andrea Liberatore in litigation, eminent domain and condemnation, and creditors’ rights and bankruptcy matters. At the University of North Carolina School of Law, Kevin is the SBA Representative for the Hispanic Law Student Association. His legal experience includes working as a Legislative Fellow for the Florida State Senate and a paralegal for Legal Aid of North Carolina.
