Attorney Profiles

We are dedicated to fighting for your rights in court. Once you retain us, you can leave the worry to us, secure in the knowledge that we are looking out for you and your best interests.

Matt Arnold, Managing Member

North Carolina Board Certified Family Law Specialist

Mr. Arnold grew up in Charlotte, North Carolina and is a product of the Charlotte-Mecklenburg school system. He attended Carmel Junior High, South Charlotte Middle, and graduated from Providence Senior High School. Mr. Arnold continued his education at Belmont Abbey College where he received a basketball scholarship and played varsity basketball for four years. He was a member of Phi Kappa Theta national fraternity and graduated from the Belmont Abbey College Honors Institute. After graduating cum laude from Belmont Abbey College with a degree in Psychology and a minor in Philosophy, Mr. Arnold attended law school at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.

J. Bradley Smith, Managing Member

Brad Smith is one of the founding members of Arnold & Smith, PLLC in North Carolina. As a litigator, Mr. Smith has dedicated his career to advocating for individuals in courtrooms throughout North Carolina. He focuses his practice on representing individuals charged with DWI / DUI, felonies, misdemeanors, and federal criminal charges.

Pete McArdle, Partner

Mr. McArdle has lived in Charlotte since 1979. He attended Saint Gabriel Catholic School and Charlotte Catholic High School. After graduating from high school in 1987, Mr. McArdle attended the University of North Carolina. At Chapel Hill, he played on the Junior Varsity Basketball Team and served on the UNC Supreme Court.

Jeff Thompson, Partner

Mr. Thompson is a native Floridian having grown up in Fort Lauderdale. After graduating with honors from Fort Lauderdale Christian School, he was offered placement in the Honors Program at the University of Georgia. Following receipt of his undergraduate degree in Political Science, he remained in Athens and received his law degree from the University of Georgia School of Law. During that time he was also an officer in the Demosthenian Society in which he focused on oral argument and debate.

Ronnie D. Crisco Jr., Partner

North Carolina Board Certified Family Law Specialist

Raised in nearby Kannapolis, North Carolina, Ronnie Crisco is a proud alumnus of A.L. Brown High School. He graduated magna cum laude from Duke University with a degree in Public Policy Studies in 2002. He received his law degree with honors from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill in 2005. While in law school, Mr. Crisco competed nationally as a member of the UNC Mock Trial Team, assisted indigent clients through the UNC Civil Legal Assistance Clinic, and served as editor on the UNC Journal of Law and Technology.

Anastasia Cowan, Partner

North Carolina Board Certified Family Law Specialist and Child Welfare Law Specialist

Anastasia Cowan pursued her undergraduate degree at Ohio State University. She was a resident advisor, a member of the Golden Key International Honor Society, and a member of the Women’s Glee Club. While at Ohio State, Ms. Cowan was able to sing in various places throughout the United States and had the opportunity to sing at Carnegie Hall in New York City.

Stephen M. Bennett, Partner

Stephen M. Bennett grew up in Marietta, South Carolina and graduated from Travelers Rest High School. Mr. Bennett continued his education at the University of South Carolina Honors College, where he received his bachelor’s degree with a major in Chemistry in 2003. Thereafter, Mr. Bennett received his Masters in Healthcare Administration in 2005, also from the University of South Carolina.

Mr. Bennett then attended the University of South Carolina School of Law, graduating cum laude in 2008. While in law school, Mr. Bennett received the academic CALI Award for Real Property, Administrative Law, and Family Law. Additionally, he was an Articles Editor for the ABA Real Property, Probate, & Trust Journal.

Courtney L. Carter, Partner

North Carolina Board Certified Family Law Specialist

Courtney Carter is originally from Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, but has resided in the Charlotte area since 2011. Prior to relocating to Charlotte, Courtney pursued her undergraduate degree at Kent State University. She graduated with her Bachelors of Science Degree in Business Management with a focus of Pre-Law in three years.

Kenneth R. Harris Jr., Senior Associate Attorney

Mr. Harris was born and raised in Charlotte along with his eight brothers and sisters. After attending Piedmont Open Middle, he attended and graduated from Woodberry Forest School in Orange, Virginia and then attended Duke University. Between graduating from college and attending law school, Mr. Harris taught ninth and tenth grade World History in Limestone, Tennessee and Rome, Georgia, where he was also a Resident Dorm Master and coached various sports teams, including the 1999 Lacrosse State Championship team.

Paul Tharp, Associate Attorney

Paul Tharp manages Arnold & Smith’s personal injury and workers compensation cases. He also leads the firm’s appellate and post-conviction practices. Paul helps people through the worst things they have experienced in life. Persons who have been injured, assaulted, or abused, and families of persons who have been killed have relied on Paul for two decades to seek justice in personal injury cases.

Corey A. Noland, Senior Associate Attorney

Corey Noland was born and raised in Union County and attended Hickory Grove Christian School. Mr. Noland continued his education at the University of North Carolina at Charlotte. At the University of North Carolina at Charlotte, Mr. Noland was the President of the UNCC Mock Trial Team, a member of the Judicial Board Panel, and was on the Chancellor’s List for each semester.

Rebeca Bee, Associate Attorney

Rebecca Bee grew up in Ontario, Canada, moving to Michigan in 2013. She graduated magna cum laude from Michigan State University with a degree in Political Science in 2017. While at Michigan State University, Rebecca interned for the Honorable Judge Rosemarie E. Aquilina.

William Shelley, Associate Attorney

Dual Licensed in North and South Carolina

Will Shelley grew up in Cabarrus County and graduated from Jay M. Robinson High School in Concord. He attended Furman University on scholarship and graduated cum laude with a B.A. in History.

Pamela Williams, Associate Attorney

Dual Licensed in North and South Carolina

Pamela Williams grew up in Halifax County, North Carolina and graduated as valedictorian of her class from Southeast Halifax High School. She attended East Carolina University on scholarship and graduated with honors earning a B.S. in History Education.

Samantha Jackson, Associate Attorney

Samantha Jackson was born and raised in Union County. She attended Weddington Middle School and went to high school at Central Academy for Technology and Arts in Monroe. Samantha originally wanted to pursue a stage acting career and was named Best Actress in North Carolina and Best Supporting Actress in the Southeast for her performances. Once she decided to pursue a law degree, she knew that she could put her acting skills to use by representing clients in a courtroom.

Meaghan Woodward, Associate Attorney

Meaghan Woodward is originally from Virginia Beach, Virginia. Meaghan began college at Tulane University in New Orleans, Louisiana, where she received an academic merit scholarship. While at Tulane, Meaghan was enrolled in the Honors College, and served as the Philanthropy Project Manager for her sorority. Meaghan then graduated summa cum laude from Old Dominion University in Norfolk, Virginia.

Erica Yarborough, Associate Attorney

Erica Yarborough was born and raised in Davidson County. She attended Central Davidson High School, participating in National Honors Society, Tri-M, AP Psychology Club, and being a member of the Wind Ensemble throughout her high school career.

Jordan Byers, Associate Attorney

Jordan Byers grew up in Mooresville, North Carolina and graduated from Mooresville High School. Jordan continued her education at the University of North Carolina at Charlotte. At the University of North Carolina at Charlotte.

Drake Smith, Associate Attorney

Drake Smith was born and raised in Union County, where he attended Weddington High School, actively participating in a variety of sports and extracurricular activities. He earned his undergraduate degree in Finance, with a minor in Legal Studies, from Winthrop University.