Attorney · Mediator · Author · Huntersville, North Carolina
Christopher Adkins
Attorney and author of The Lake Norman Brief
Christopher “Chris” Adkins is a North Carolina attorney and the founder of Adkins Law, PLLC in Huntersville, where he has practiced since 2014, primarily in family law and civil litigation. He is a North Carolina certified mediator, a former Charlotte-Mecklenburg police officer and a former U.S. Army combat engineer officer who deployed to Kuwait in 2012–2013. He writes The Lake Norman Brief, which publishes plain-language guides to North Carolina law, Court of Appeals case briefs and long-form history of the Carolinas and beyond.
Law practice
A Huntersville practice built on preparation
Chris Adkins founded Adkins Law, PLLC in 2014. The firm serves individuals and families in Huntersville, Lake Norman and the greater Charlotte region, and Chris frequently tries cases in court.
Adkins Law, PLLC
His practice is primarily family law and civil litigation. In family law he handles divorce, child custody, child support, alimony, equitable distribution and domestic violence protective orders. He also handles employment disputes, the representation of law-enforcement officers, DWI and traffic matters, estate planning and probate, and contract disputes.
Huntersville office: 9620 Sherrill Estates Road, Huntersville, NC 28078 · (704) 274-5677
Locust and the Uwharrie region
With attorney Christerfer “Chris” Purkey, he practices as Adkins & Purkey / Uwharrie Legal, serving Locust, Albemarle, Stanly County and the Uwharrie region.
217 W. Main Street, Locust, NC 28097 · (704) 880-9388
Uwharrie Legal profile →Mediation and parenting coordination
Chris is a North Carolina certified Superior Court, Family Financial, and Estates and Guardianships mediator, and a South Carolina certified Circuit Court and Family Court mediator. He has completed North Carolina parenting coordinator training. Mediations are offered through Mediation Solutions, a neutral family and business mediation service.
Mediator profile →Service
Public service in uniform
Alongside his legal career, Chris served as a Charlotte-Mecklenburg police officer and as a commissioned combat engineer officer. Both inform how he approaches evidence, procedure and people under pressure.
Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department
Police officer serving in patrol and on a direct response team.
- North Carolina Department of Justice Intermediate Law Enforcement Certificate (2009)
- North Carolina Department of Justice Advanced Law Enforcement Certificate (2013)
- Trained in DWI detection, Standardized Field Sobriety Testing and Intox EC/IR II breath testing
U.S. Army combat engineer officer
Combat Engineer Officer in the North Carolina Army National Guard and the U.S. Army Reserve, rising to the rank of Captain.
- Officer Candidate School
- Engineer Basic Officer Leader Course, Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri
- Deployed to Kuwait, 2012–2013, in support of Operation Enduring Freedom, managing construction and engineering projects after the drawdown from Iraq at Camp Buehring, Camp Arifjan, Camp Patriot and Ali Al Salem Air Base
- 2006J.D., Oklahoma City University School of Law
- 2007Joins the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department
- 2009Begins service as an Army combat engineer officer
- 2012–13Deployed to Kuwait
- 2014Founds Adkins Law, PLLC
- 2021Publishes two books on divorce
- 2026Publishes the North Carolina DWI guide
Education and credentials
Training across law, justice and business
Degrees and certificates span criminal justice, law, terrorism studies, business administration and sports management, alongside court admissions and mediator certifications.
Education
- Juris DoctorOklahoma City University School of Law2006
- Master of Business AdministrationLouisiana State University2022
- Master of Criminal JusticeBoston University2009
- CertHE, Terrorism StudiesUniversity of St Andrews2010
- Certificate, Fundamentals of Global Sports ManagementNew York University2022
- B.S., Criminal JusticeAppalachian State University2003
- High schoolMyers Park High School, Charlotte1999
Admissions and certifications
- Licensed attorney, State of North Carolina
- U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit
- U.S. District CourtsWestern, Middle and Eastern Districts of North Carolina
- NC Dispute Resolution Commission certified mediatorSuperior Court · Family Financial · Estates and Guardianships
- South Carolina certified mediatorCircuit Court and Family Court (mediator certification; not admission to practice law in South Carolina)
- North Carolina Parenting Coordinator training24 hours
- Interdisciplinary Collaborative Family Law training18 hours
- North Carolina Certified Athlete Agent
- North Carolina Notary Public
Books
Practical guides for North Carolina families
Three books written to explain the process in plain language for the people living through it, sold through Barnes & Noble.
The Book on Divorce in North Carolina
A Guide to Divorce in North Carolina
A plain-language guide to the North Carolina divorce process, with a companion website at yourncdivorcebook.com.
I Live in Two Homes Now
A Helping Book for Kids Going Through Divorce or Separation
Written for children going through their parents’ divorce or separation.
Charged with DWI in North Carolina?
A Practical Guide to the Stop, the Science, the DMV, and the Defense
Co-written with attorney Christerfer “Chris” Purkey, the guide covers the traffic stop, testing, license consequences and the defense of a North Carolina DWI charge.
Writing and history
The Lake Norman Brief
Chris founded and writes The Lake Norman Brief: legal guides for North Carolina families, Court of Appeals case briefs, and long-form history collections built on official histories and primary records.
Contact
Talk with Chris Adkins about your case
Adkins Law offers consultations of about one hour, by phone or in person at the Huntersville office.
(704) 274-5677 Adkins Law, PLLC9620 Sherrill Estates Road
Huntersville, NC 28078
Other offices and services
- Adkins & Purkey / Uwharrie Legal217 W. Main Street, Locust, NC 28097 · (704) 880-9388 · uwharrielegal.com
- Mediation SolutionsNeutral mediation · (704) 231-5762 · mediationsolutions.co
- About this publicationAbout The Lake Norman Brief: coverage, sourcing standards and corrections
The Lake Norman Brief provides general information about North Carolina law, not legal advice. Reading this site or contacting the firm does not create an attorney-client relationship. Please do not send confidential information until an engagement is confirmed.