I founded Abutabanja Law, PLLC with a simple belief: everyday people deserve serious representation. Too often, legal help feels distant, overpriced, or intimidating. I built this firm to be the people’s attorney, serving everyday individuals with clarity, respect, and real advocacy.

Attorney Chris Wencker grew up in Littleton, Colorado. He earned his Juris Doctorate from the University of Arizona in Tucson, Arizona. Prior to law school, he received a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from Thomas Edison State College, an Associate of Applied Science in Communications Applications Technology from the Community College of the Air Force, and a diploma in Chinese (Mandarin) from the Defense Language Institute. Chris also served in the United States Air Force for seven years. Following law school, Chris spent eight years working as an Associate Attorney for a small law firm in Tucson, Arizona. In January 2011, Chris became a solo practitioner, establishing the Law Office of Christopher Wencker, PLC in Tucson. In August 2012, Chris moved his office to Phoenix, Arizona. Chris was President of the Huntingdon County Bar Association from 2015 to 2017. He obtained his license to practice law in North Carolina earlier this year. He enjoys hiking with his dog Cleo in his spare time and also has a 3rd Degree Blackbelt in Jiu Jitsu.

James L. Henson graduated with Honors from the University of North Carolina at Greensboro with a B.A. degree in psychology and received his law degree as part of the Charter Class of Elon University School of Law with a litigation concentration. As part of a military family, Mr. Henson was raised in Jacksonville, North Carolina and currently resides in Wilmington.

Leeza has been practicing law since 2010 when she graduated from Pace University School of Law in White Plains, NY. She moved to North Carolina in 2021, and now focuses her practice on personal injury, criminal defense and estate planning and protection. Leeza has handled litigation from both the defense side and plaintiff’s side, and is ready to help clients obtain the best outcome with her compassionate yet tenacious approach to litigation.

Attorney Thomas T. Downer is a native Charlottean. He graduated from Central High School and served in the United States Air Force. He has an undergraduate degree in Economics from the University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill and a law degree from the University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill. While at Carolina, he was a member of the Chi Phi Fraternity. He has been practicing law in Charlotte since 1967 and concentrates his practice in the areas of personal injury, wrongful death and workers’ compensation. He was admitted to the North Carolina Bar in 1967. Attorney Downer was awarded the Order of the Long Leaf Pine by the State of North Carolina. He is a member of the North Carolina Bar, the American Bar Association, the American Association for Justice, and the North Carolina Bar Association. He has been sworn into the United States Supreme Court. Attorney Downer has been married to his wife, Gretchen, for 52 years and has three grown children and one grandchild. Gretchen graduated from UNC-Chapel Hill in 1965 with a double major in English and Spanish. She taught at South Mecklenburg High School for several years before going into the antiques business with Attorney Downer’s mother. She is currently President of the Pawleys Island Festival of Music & Art. Attorney Downer’s daughter, Morgan, graduated from Charlotte Latin School, Columbia University, and Fordham Law School in New York City. She practices in New York City. His daughter, Peyton, graduated from Charlotte Latin School, lives in Charlotte, and is pursuing a bachelor’s degree in network systems administration and cybersecurity. His son, Andy, graduated from Providence High School, the University of North Carolina at Charlotte, and the Charlotte School of Law. He is a partner at The Downer Law Firm, P.A. Attorney Downer is a pilot and enjoys flying. He plays saxophone, his wife is an accomplished pianist, and they often get together with friends for “music nights’. They have a home in Pawleys Island, South Carolina, where they enjoy listening to beach music and going shag dancing. Attorney Downer enjoys reading about history and collecting classic cars. His sport is tennis.

Attorney Sheila White Chavis joined Brent Adams & Associates in 2004 and is now an owner/partner in the firm. She is a graduate of Duke University and was a fellow at the Woodrow Wilson Institute of Public Policy and International Affairs at the University of California-Berkeley. When she’s not hard at work on workers’ compensation litigation, she spends time with her family. Her husband is an active equestrian and the manager of Triangle Horse Sports in Raleigh. They have three sons: Kyle, Mekhi, and Logan. Attorney Chavis has been admitted to practice before all North Carolina trial and appellate courts as well as the United States District Court for the Eastern District of North Carolina.

Evan Lohr is an attorney with Lohr Law Firm in Raleigh, North Carolina. He practices in the areas of estate planning and trust and estate administration, and also represents clients throughout North Carolina in disputes related to wills, trusts, and guardianships. Evan completed a B.A. in political science at the University of North Carolina at Wilmington and received his law degree from the University of Tennessee, where he worked as a research clerk on the eminent legal treatise Bogert’s Trusts and Trustees. He is a past editor of The Administrative Lawyer, a publication of the North Carolina Bar Association, and is currently president of Holy Trinity Lutheran Church in Raleigh. Evan is licensed to practice law in North Carolina. He can be reached at (919) 348-9211, at evan@lohrnc.com, or by completing the form below (please note that completion of the form does not constitute the formation of an attorney-client relationship).

Christopher L. “Chris” Oring is a dedicated litigation attorney at Christina Rivenbark & Associates, where he represents clients in criminal defense, traffic matters, expungements, and DMV-related issues throughout New Hanover, Pender, and Brunswick Counties. With more than 25 years of legal experience, Chris is known for his calm, compassionate presence and his commitment to treating clients with dignity, respect, and understanding—values that align perfectly with our firm’s mission. Originally from Cleveland, Ohio, Chris received his Bachelor of Arts in English from the University of Akron and earned his Juris Doctor from the University of Toledo College of Law. While in law school, he served as Editor of the Law School Newspaper and gained diverse legal experience working with private firms and a State Court Appellate Judge. After moving to North Carolina in 1996, Chris began his career in Wilmington and soon opened the Law Firm of Chris Oring, where he spent 24 years representing clients across a wide range of legal matters. His work included criminal and traffic defense, personal injury, workers’ compensation, child support, DSS cases, DMV hearings, expungements, and general civil litigation. His commitment to service earned him annual statewide pro bono recognition, and in 2021, he was honored as North Carolina’s Criminal Defense Attorney of the Year by the North Carolina Business Journal. Chris briefly stepped into the pharmaceutical sector to broaden his professional experience, working with Parexel International and PPD. While he excelled in that role, he ultimately realized that his true passion remained in helping people directly through the justice system. In 2024, he returned to his calling and joined Christina Rivenbark & Associates, where his experience, empathy, and courtroom skill immediately made him a trusted advocate for our clients. Chris is a member of the North Carolina State Bar, North Carolina Bar Association, and North Carolina Advocates for Justice. He has also taught CLE courses statewide for more than 15 years, focusing on substance abuse and mental health in the legal profession, and remains active in the Lawyers Assistance Program. A Wilmington resident for nearly three decades, Chris is married with four children. Outside the office, he enjoys fishing, boating, painting, building Legos, and cheering on his favorite sports teams. His approachable nature and genuine love for people make him not just a strong attorney, but the kind of advocate clients feel comfortable turning to in some of life’s hardest moments.

Andy Downer is a true Charlotte native. He was born and raised in Charlotte. He graduated from Providence High School and went to college at The University of North Carolina at Charlotte where he received a degree in Mathematics for Business. Mr. Downer worked for Downer, Walters & Mitchener, P.A. over the years as a legal assistant before receiving his law degree from the Charlotte School of Law, where he graduated ahead of his class. After receiving his license to practice law, Mr. Downer became a full-time attorney at The Downer Law Firm, P.A. where he diligently helps those that are injured and in need of legal assistance.

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