Local attorney Charles H. McGirt dies at age 86

Lexington, NC – With a heavy heart, David Inabinett, Managing Member of Brinkley Walser Stoner, PLLC announced the passing of long-time firm member Charles “Charlie” McGirt. McGirt joined the firm in 1961 and recently celebrated 60 years of practicing law. He died on September 2 after a recent illness.

“Charlie was the consummate professional, dedicated to his clients, the firm, and the community,” says Inabinett. “He was caring team member, always courteous and respectful. Charlie was a mentor and friend to those of us in the firm and outside. Our prayers are with Dottie and his family.”  Though McGirt had transitioned his pending matters to others within the firm, those clients with immediate questions or concerns may contact the firm at (336) 249-2101.

Charles McGirt was admitted to the NC Bar in 1961 after earning his B.A. degree from Lenoir-Rhyne College (class of 1958) and J.D. from University of North Carolina Chapel Hill School of Law (1961). He joined Walser Brinkley (as the firm was then known) immediately thereafter. He was admitted to the Bar of the Supreme Court of the United States in 1971. McGirt was inducted into the North Carolina Bar Association General Practice Hall of Fame in 2012 and was recognized by the North Carolina Senate for 60 years of legal practice in 2021.

Through the years, McGirt represented clients in a wide range of cases, including banking law, business & commercial law, estate planning, business organizations, condemnation, civil litigation and real estate, earning recognition for more than 30 straight years as an AV®-Preeminent™ attorney based on Martindale-Hubbell’s® Peer Review Ratings™. [These Peer Review Ratings are compiled on responses from peer attorneys providing an overall rating of the candidate’s General Ethical Standards and Legal Ability.]

McGirt’s professional associations and memberships included the Fourth Circuit Judicial Conference (Permanent); the NC Bar Association; North Carolina Association of Defense Counsel; Federation of Insurance & Corporate Counsel; Davidson County Bar Association; 22nd Judicial District; and the North Carolina Bar Association General Practice Hall of Fame – 2012 Induction Class. He was a member of the First Presbyterian Church in Lexington, Delta Theta Phi, and involved in other community organizations and endeavors.

McGirt was once asked why he chose to practice law in Davidson County. He responded, “I wanted to practice law in a smaller town because of all of the advantages of living there and raising your family there, but I also wanted to associate with attorneys who were highly qualified and possessed all of the skills and abilities of the best of any big city lawyer who genuinely cared about their clients and in promoting their cause while exhibiting the finest qualities of professionalism.”

Adds Inabinett, “Charlie’s encyclopedic knowledge of the law, his dedication to research and preparation, and how to apply that knowledge in practical ways to solve client’s problems was amazing. His unwavering friendship and loyalty to his family, community, clients and law firm will be greatly missed.”  A memorial service will be held at 2:00 p.m. Thursday, September 8, 2022 at First Presbyterian Church, Lexington, North Carolina.

About Brinkley Walser Stoner, PLLC

Brinkley Walser Stoner prides itself on providing new and cutting-edge legal counsel built on a foundation of knowledge and integrity. Brinkley Walser Stoner’s attorneys are first and foremost counselors, advising clients on their legal rights and options for appropriate solutions. Practice areas include business law, real estate, litigation, elder law, estate planning, injury and disability, criminal defense, traffic and DWI, banking, family law, municipal, governmental, and education law, among others. Brinkley Walser Stoner is an AV rated firm by Martindale-Hubble^®. The firm has offices at 10 LSB Plaza in Lexington and in the First Citizen’s Building, 620 Green Valley Road, Suite 306, in Greensboro. Visit Brinkley Walser Stoner on the web at www.brinkleywalserstoner.com and on Facebook at www.facebook.com/brinkleywalser.

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