CityView Magazine

CityViewNC.com | 59 We are dedicated to providing compassionate care in a manner that nurtures the physical, emotional, and spiritual well-being of all those we serve. Specializing in short term rehabilitation and recovery with a community focused approach. Spacious rehabilitation gym with state of the art therapy equipment. Individual private suites that create a comfortable, home like environment. Discharge planning services that promote a safe transition back home. 2346 Barrington Circle Fayetteville, NC 28303 910.689.0150 www.haymountrehab.com 523 Country Club Drive Fayetteville, NC 28301 910.488.0711 www.wpnursing.com ferent experiences from former institutions that grew her to the point of realization and with a big smile, she declared that she has never been happier. e staff at Britton Law, P.A. are always doing great things and Rebecca brags that sometimes her favorite board meetings are over coffee on her back patio with her spouse, John, before they head into the office to tackle the problems of the world. Britton has contributed much to the legal community in North Carolina. While being very humble about her in- volvement in the mock trial program since 1992, Britton has taken part in many roles in the program making a huge impact on both students and its volunteers putting a good face on the legal profession to aspiring students. Profession- ally, her affiliation in North Carolina Advocates for Justice (NCAJ) and involvement have been extensive and she held the position of president, the fourth female president in its organizational history making professional contributions through her efforts at the helm, along with her consecutive roles in leadership leading up to it. "I've made wonderful contacts all across the state with professional colleagues," Britton said. Britton's roots as a clerk and then partner at the Beaver, Holt, Sternlicht & Courie P.A. have had a long-term influ- ence on her. Biting her teeth on challenging, unpopular cases was oen what that firm took on and it is that kind of thinking that Britton has adopted into her own philosophy as she founded her own practice. e attorney recalled be- ing fairly new out of law school when she, alongside Rick Glazier, tackled a pro bono wrongful conviction case in- volving a young Marine named Lesly Jean. He had wrong- fully served nine years of a life sentence. Britton explained that they represented him from a civil standpoint arguing evidence that cleared his name conclusively, through the DNA evidence 18 years aer the crime. eir work on this case paved the way and forever changed the law in North Carolina allowing an increased compensation for those wrongfully convicted, along with legislation known as e Innocence Protection Act. Having both a personal and pro- fessional impact on her legal career early on, Britton laughed as she said she gained a lifelong client and had just spoken to him by phone the day prior. "What I and my staff at the firm pride ourselves on is being able to make a difference in our line of practice," said Britton quietly. "We come in touch with people and families who have suffered devastat- ing losses. At that point it goes beyond just representation in the lawsuit, we try to get them to the resources that they need. ey become part of our firm family." A former firm colleague of Britton's is Sarah Miranda. She has been at the Hutchens, Senter, Kellam & Pettit, P.A. since 2004 and has worked in family law, juvenile and do- mestic law. "When I joined the firm there was a handful, two or three, female attorneys. It's wonderful to see women coming into the profession and mentor young female at- torneys," said Miranda. She recommends to young law students that they need to really be aware of what their strengths are and find an area of practice that they are pas- sionate about. "Don't be in law school and lock yourself in, because you may find that something else is better suited for you," advised Miranda. "You might fall into a niche aer some job hopping aer law school too." Miranda did just that aer she jumped into the special- ized area of law surrounding the practice area of bankrupt- cy, she knew when the position was open at the Hutchens firm, she saw it as an opportunity and it did not take long before she got to know everyone in the area and the judges at the federal court level. Explaining the nitty-gritty of her job, Miranda said that bankruptcy is a lot about problem solving, as she represents creditors aer somebody has got- ten into financial straights as she moves forward working toward a satisfactory resolution. Her current practice area is on civil litigation, creditors rights and bankruptcy. "Civil litigation is a developing area of practice that opened up,

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