Munson Law Firm
Meet Our Team
"When a team feels like family, they will go all out to love and serve one another."
- Perry Nobler
Our Attorneys
Mike Munson
A Chapel Hill native, Mike has over 10 years of experience representing estate planning, probate, and small business clients. From working at an innovative Northern Virginia firm to experience at local estate planning institutions, to opening his own practice in 2020 just prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, Mike has experienced a wide variety of estate planning challenges—and gained valuable knowledge about the best solutions for each of them.
Mike’s estate planning practice is also informed by years of experience assisting family members and executors navigate the complicated probate procedures required by state law. He has seen countless examples of what works—and what can go wrong—after the death of a loved one, when the hypothetical scenarios anticipated by estate documents meet the realities of family dynamics, taxes, and government red tape. Drafting with an eye toward the practical effects of the words on the paper is Mike’s primary focus.
When he’s not working with clients, Mike is usually trying to keep up with his family—which includes his wife, Sophia, his two young children (ages 4 and 7), and his dogs, Lucy and Rosie—or cheering on the UNC Tar Heels and the 2019 World Series Champion Washington Nationals.
Bar Admissions:
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North Carolina
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Virginia
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District of Columbia
Education:
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University of Virginia, B.A., 2005
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William & Mary School of Law, J.D., 2011
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William & Mary Business Law Review
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William & Mary Environmental Law & Policy Review
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Achievements, Awards & Civic Involvement:
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Meals on Wheels of Orange County (MOWOC):
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Member, Board of Directors
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Chair, Governance Committee
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Member, Pittsboro Rotary Club
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Member, Chatham County Chamber of Commerce
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Co-Founder, Chatham County School Safety Coalition
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Member, Chatham Education Foundation
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Orange County Bar Association
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North Carolina Bar Association
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Member, Judicial District 18
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CLE Instructor, National Business Institute, “Trusts A to Z” program
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Dog Warriors' Foster Parent
Sophia Munson
Sophia is a dedicated attorney with a big-picture approach to law. She believes in collaborating closely with her clients to understand their needs and provide comprehensive representation. With a background in estate planning, business law, and employment law, Sophia offers a broad spectrum of expertise to serve her clients effectively.
As the daughter of a Foreign Service Officer, Sophia's upbringing exposed her to varied cultures and people worldwide. Her genuine interest in connecting with others and learning their unique stories naturally led her to a career in law. Sophia thrives on working directly with individuals, guiding them through their concerns and goals, and offering informed advice to prepare for the unexpected. She has experience working with clients from diverse backgrounds, addressing business matters, employment law challenges, family dynamics, and asset levels of all sizes.
With an impressive background that spans working with cultural heritage law firms, boutique law firms, large corporate law firms, hedge funds, and international consulting groups, Sophia's unwavering commitment has always been about serving people and their unique legal needs. At Munson Law Firm, she continues to uphold this tradition with a family-oriented approach to her legal practice.
Outside of her legal work, Sophia cherishes her role as a parent to her two young children in Chapel Hill, North Carolina. She enjoys spending quality time with them, singing along to the most recent Disney soundtrack, creating art projects in the kitchen, and postponing the laundry as long as possible.
Bar Admissions:
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North Carolina
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Virginia
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District of Columbia
Education:
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University of Virginia, B.A., 2006
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William & Mary School of Law, J.D., 2012 cum laude
Achievements, Awards & Civic Involvement:
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Echols Scholar at University of Virginia.
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Graduated from University of Virginia in two years.
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Managing Editor of the William & Mary Business Law Review.
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Virginia Law Foundation/ Virginia CLE® Qualified Counselor in Trusts and Estates Practice.
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Member of the Academy of Special Needs Planners.
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Co-Founder, Chatham County School Safety Coalition
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Willow Oak Montessori PTA President.
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Christ Church Preschool Board Member.
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Chapel Hill-Carborro Women's Connect A-Team Member.
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Professional Women of Orange and Chatham County Board Member.
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Dog Warriors' Foster Parent.
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President of Briar Chapel Community and Briar Chapel Parents’ Facebook Forums.
Angie Spong
Angie Spong has been practicing estate planning law exclusively since 2016. She joined the Munson Firm in 2024 with a continued focus on complex estate planning, trust and estate administrations, and uncontested guardianships. As the daughter of two retired teachers, and a former teacher herself, Angie excels at demystifying complicated legal concepts and tailoring her counsel and approach to each client’s unique needs. Clients note that Angie is responsive, analytical, and empathetic, putting even those who have never worked with an attorney before at ease. She particularly enjoys working with non-traditional families and, with multiple years of experience living abroad, is attuned to the challenges facing international clients.
Angie graduated with honors from the University of North Carolina School of Law and was named to the James E. and Carolyn B. Davis Honor Society. She was Graduating Pro Bono Student of the Year and won the Cornelius O. Cathey Chancellor’s Award for outstanding service contributions. She received her undergraduate degree summa cum laude from Vanderbilt University.
Angie is a native North Carolinian, born and raised in Moore County. She plays the viola with the Tchaikovsky Virtuosi orchestra, enjoys running, and lives in the Briar Chapel neighborhood with her spouse, young daughter, and two cats.
Bar Admissions:
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North Carolina
Education:
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Vanderbilt University, B.M., 2003, Summa cum Laude
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University of North Carolina School of Law, 2011, with honors
Achievements, Awards & Civic Involvement:
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Member, Judicial District 18
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North Carolina Bar Association
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North Carolina State Bar
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James E. and Carolyn B. Davis Society
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Cornelius O. Cathey Chancellor’s Award
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Graduating and 2L Pro Bono Student of the Year
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Legal Aid of North Carolina Martin Luther King, Jr. Intern for Pittsboro Office
N'kia
N'kia brings almost seven years of experience in dispute resolution and over five years serving as outside counsel to businesses across various industries. Her diverse expertise spans construction, consumer, employment, entertainment, immigration, intellectual property, real property, regulatory, and technology sectors. With a deep passion for research and writing, she constantly seeks opportunities for improvement and learning, aiming to exceed expectations in every endeavor.
Throughout her career, she has developed a reputation for solving complex, novel, and unique legal issues. She thrives in dynamic, intellectually challenging environments, driven by a passion for improvement and learning to achieve outstanding results for her clients. Her dedication to excellence is evident in her achievements, including significant bonuses and leading key arbitrations. Demonstrating strong leadership skills, she restructured and managed a firm department and served on an international review team for critical cases. These experiences have honed her ability to navigate complex legal landscapes and provide strategic counsel to clients.
Beyond her professional achievements, N'kia is deeply committed to helping historically disadvantaged entrepreneurs gain a legal advantage. Outside of business law, she enjoys attending musicals, watching eclectic films, and spending time with loved ones.
Achievements, Awards & Civic Involvement:
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North Carolina State Bar
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Board of Directors for North Raleigh Arts and Creative Theatre (NRACT); Chair of the DEI Committee
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Playreading Committee Member
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Coach Certification: Business & Entrepreneurship
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North Carolina Association of Women Attorneys, Committee Chair, Technology and Communications
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North Carolina Bar Association, Committee, Future of Law | Subcommittee, Future of Law & Technology
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Panelist – “AI & Technology”: North Carolina Central University School of Law – Law & Technology Summit
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Panelist/Featured Speaker – “What Is Business Law”: North Carolina Central University School of Law – Business Law Students
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“Subject Matter Expert”: The Rosie Network (incubator for military-affiliated entrepreneurs)
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Honored for Mentorship (2022, 2023)
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Regularly present on “Essential Business Legal Foundations” (EX: contracts, entity structuring, home-based/remote operations, intellectual property, personnel, tax status)
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Bar Admissions:
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North Carolina
Education:
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Alabama School of Mathematics and Science, Advanced Diploma
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Spelman College, B.A.
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Harvard University, Master of Divinity
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North Carolina Central University School of Law, J.D.
Quianna Lewis
We’re excited to introduce our newest attorney, who brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to our team. A proud graduate of Howard University and Elon University, with both a Juris Doctor and an MBA, she was recently admitted to the North Carolina Bar. Her strong educational background is complemented by a practical, hands-on approach to legal work.
She has gained valuable experience through her roles at various firms, where she worked on significant trademark cases and supported high-profile settlements. From drafting key legal documents to enhancing trademark protection strategies, her skills have consistently contributed to successful outcomes and satisfied clients. Her prior work includes roles as a paralegal and legal assistant, where she demonstrated exceptional organizational skills and efficiency.
Beyond her professional achievements, she is actively involved in community service, from creating guides for non-profits to promoting restorative justice and environmental stewardship. Her commitment to both her legal practice and community work reflects a well-rounded and dedicated professional who will be a great asset to our team.
Outside of her professional achievements, Quianna is an avid reader, podcast listener, and baker who enjoys musicals, traveling, and discovering new restaurants, all while maintaining a passion for health and fitness.
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Bar Admissions:
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North Carolina, April 2024
Education:
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Howard University – Bachelor of Arts
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Elon University School of Law – Juris Doctor
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Elon University – Master of Business Administration
Achievements, Awards & Civic Involvement:
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Board Member, Finance Committee, Triangle ArtWorks
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North Carolina State Bar
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Achieved a $55,000 settlement in a high-profile trademark infringement case at Stokes Law Group
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Honored for Legal Excellence (2023)
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Volunteer Work:
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Triangle Art Works: Developed a guide for North Carolina citizens on starting non-profit organizations
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Restorative Justice Durham: Facilitated restorative justice processes for community peacebuilding
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Keep Durham Beautiful: Collaborated on creating environmentally sustainable outdoor spaces
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Kidznotes: Volunteered in an after-school program providing free music lessons to children
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Ashley Loveless
Meet Ashley, a former intern, and has now graduated from UNC School of Law! She is excited to begin her legal career with Munson Law Firm as part of our Estate Planning team. She interned with Munson throughout her 3L year and has been looking forward to starting full time work with the firm.
Before going to law school, Ashley spent several years as a middle school and high school English teacher. Naturally, she plans to take an educational approach to her legal work, helping clients to feel comfortable understanding of the purpose and importance of their family documents.
Ashley has called the Triangle home for the better part of the past 25 years. She is a graduate of Woods Charter School, where her six-year-old son, Derrin, currently attends as a first grader, and her three-year-old daughter, Flora, will start in a couple years. She recently moved to Chatham Park and is excited to be back living in the zip code where she was raised. She enjoys all things baseball-related, discovering new vegan dishes, practicing yoga, and taking road trips to visit friends and family. Most days when she’s not at the office, you can find her on the sidelines of a Little League field or out walking her rescue dog, Nova.
Education:
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Undergraduate Degrees: B.S. in Sport Management and B.A. in Religious Studies, Minor in Middle East Studies, North Carolina State University, 2012, cum laude
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Graduate Degree: Master of Urban Education, Union University, 2015
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Law Degree: J.D., University of North Carolina School of Law, 2024
Bar Admissions:
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North Carolina (Pending)
Corrine Cottrell
Meet Corrine, the upbeat and compassionate Chief Operating Officer at the Munson Law Firm.
With a BA in Sociology and English from Redeemer University College in Ontario and a Master of Arts in Teaching from UNC-Chapel Hill, Corrine brings a wealth of knowledge and expertise to our firm.
She spent five years as a high school English teacher, specializing in project-based learning and freshman literacy skills. She also contributed to curriculum development at the North Carolina Department of Public Instruction.
Corrine's next adventure was in middle school education where she taught 6th and 7th-grade students and helped to create a district-wide ELA curriculum.
Originally from Ottawa, Canada, Corrine balances her professional life with her family, including a husband, three daughters, and a loyal dog. Corrine also has a strong love for any kind of story—books, movies, TV shows, she loves them all!
Between her love of a good story and her expertise in education, Corrine has become an invaluable asset to the Munson Law Firm, where she ensures that every client's story is heard and supported.
Kirstin Hawthorne
Meet Kirstin, our director of marketing and public relations. She drives successful marketing initiatives with a creative touch. Most recently, she was the Director of Marketing at FOCUS on NoVA Real Estate, where she created content, organized events, managed client relationships, and handled communications. Prior to that, as a Corporate Events Manager, she expertly planned and executed events for government contractors and other small businesses.
Kirstin's diverse marketing experience spans proposal development, non-profit fundraising, and work with an international accounting firm, where she developed tailored marketing strategies and executive programs.
A Midwest native, Kirstin earned a Magna Cum Laude Bachelor of Science in Management from Tulane University. After finding the southern heat and humidity challenging, she has called Northern Virginia home for over 30 years.
Active in her Fairfax Station community, she serves as Vice President of her HOA and has been involved with the Architectural Review Board, Social Committee, and Swim Team Board. She organizes and plans events to strengthen community ties, believing that relationships make good days great.
Outside of the office, Kirstin spends her time with her husband, playing taxi driver to her four kiddos, and pampering her two cats. When she has a free moment, she enjoys reading, wine, and dreaming of relaxing on her back porch.
Sarah Franco
Meet Sarah, our client coordinator at the Munson Law Firm.
Sarah is a vibrant and organized professional with a passion for music and education. Sarah thrives in dynamic environments, where her creativity and quick learning shine through.
As a former Director of Music, Sarah brings harmony to every project, leading with a focus on inclusivity and integrity. Her friendly demeanor and strong communication skills make her an asset everywhere she goes.
With a Master of Arts in Teaching in Music Education and a Bachelor of Music in Choral Education from Trinity University, Sarah is ready to bring her blend of expertise and enthusiasm to new challenges.
When she’s not tickling the ivories or belting out tunes, you can find her cheering on her favorite team, the Philadelphia Flyers, with unbridled enthusiasm. Outside of hockey season, Sarah loves to cozy up with a good book, challenge friends to board games, or complete an intricate puzzle with her husband.
As the conductor of client coordination at Munson, she orchestrates harmonious introductions, facilitates seamless communication, and ensures that client satisfaction hits all the right notes.
MacKenzie Humphrey
Meet MacKenzie, the newest legal assistant at Munson Law Firm.
MacKenzie brings a wealth of knowledge and expertise to our team with a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science and a minor in Legal Studies from The University of North Carolina Asheville. Over the past year, she honed her skills as an assistant store manager for a luxury retailer in the Cary area, where she specialized in client relations and store visuals.
Originally from Rochester, Michigan, MacKenzie balances her professional life by spending time with loved ones and indulging in some good old-fashioned retail therapy. She also has a strong passion for writing and traveling. With her exceptional writing skills and customer service experience, MacKenzie has quickly become an invaluable asset to Munson Law Firm, ensuring that every client receives top-notch care.