Nathan has represented individuals accused of criminal offenses ranging from minor speeding tickets to capital murder since 2003. Although the consequences and strategies differ in each case, his approach remains the same. In order for the client-lawyer relationship to be successful, there must actually be a relationship. It must be a relationship where the client feels comfortable and confident that their lawyer truly cares about their case. Secondly, there is no substitute for preparation. There is no consistent way for an attorney to reach the best possible result unless he takes the time and steps necessary to be fully prepared in each and every case. Finally, an attorney must be open to negotiating, but willing and able to aggressively litigate for his client. Nathan uses this approach to reach the best possible result for his clients. Nathan is a native of Western North Carolina and a graduate of Western Carolina University. He earned his law degree from Regent University in Virginia Beach, Virginia. While in law school, he was chosen to intern with the 30th District Attorney’s Office as well as one of Virginia Beach’s largest and most respected criminal defense firms. Upon graduation, he moved back home and for nine years worked with Melrose, Seago & Lay, P.A., where he was a partner for five years. After meeting attorney David Moore and recognizing similar commitment to client values, Earwood and Moore, P.A. was opened with a vision of being known for knowledgeable, well-prepared, and aggressive client representation. Over the next five years, the firm grew aggressively to five lawyers and three offices. In 2017, Nathan, in an effort to have firm entirely committed to providing reliable and quality criminal defense representation, Nathan branched off to form the Law Office of Nathan Earwood. Nathan doesn’t dabble in criminal defense, this is all he does and he thoroughly enjoys finding solutions to difficult situations and protecting individual rights. Nathan is a skilled trial lawyer in the courtroom but has a calming and comforting demeanor in the office, where he can clearly explain the most complex legal situation with his clients. Nathan is active in his community, church, coaching youth sports, and legal organizations and has served on various boards including the Criminal Justice Partnership Program and the Salvation Army. He is a past or present member of the Academy of Trial Lawyers, North Carolina Bar Association, Advocates for Justice, Young Trial Lawyers Association, National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers, and more. Nathan has represented several individuals throughout western North Carolina charged with first-degree murder and has attended the “Capital College” in Raleigh, NC. Nathan’s trial experience is second to none, having tried the most serious of cases including first-degree murder and rape. Each year, Nathan attends multiple continuing education courses devoted to innovative ways to better represent those accused of crimes. Nathan prides himself on being a “student of the law,” keeping current on the most recent Court of Appeals and Supreme Court opinions relating to his practice. Nathan has also worked on post-conviction cases throughout his career and received relief from the Court in State v. Chapman, 18 N.C. App. 378 (2007) and a new trial in State v. Webb, 197 N.C. App. 619 (2009) Nathan lives in Waynesville with his wife, the Honorable Kristina Earwood, a District Court Judge, and their two wonderful children.

Mark Upright is a family law attorney at Petrelli Previtera, LLC, representing clients across Western North Carolina in divorce, child custody, equitable distribution, support, and adoption matters. Mark brings a career-long commitment to advocating for children and families, and a depth of perspective that extends well beyond the courtroom. “Everybody comes to you and they’re either mad or sad or both. They’re at a bad place in their life. I give them the time to talk about what has happened, what they want their life to look like, and then I give them reassurance: we’re going to take them to a better place.” Clients who work with Mark can expect thorough preparation and honest guidance from the first consultation forward. He practices active listening, helping clients sort through what matters most and understand what outcomes are realistically achievable. His trial preparation is detailed and deliberate. He builds comprehensive parenting plans and walks clients through every question before they enter the courtroom, so they feel confident and the judge gets the clear, focused presentation that leads to strong results. While Mark is a capable litigator, he favors resolution through mediation and negotiation when it serves the client’s interests. North Carolina requires mandatory mediation in both custody and equitable distribution matters, and Mark’s collaborative approach often leads to agreements that protect his clients without the cost and uncertainty of trial. In one recent equitable distribution case, his preparation through mediation helped a client walk away with a favorable settlement at a fraction of what a contested trial would have cost. Mark served as a Court-Appointed Parent Coordinator in North Carolina’s 28th Judicial District, working with high-conflict families to build cooperative frameworks after custody disputes are resolved. This hands-on experience with what makes co-parenting arrangements succeed, and where they break down, directly shapes the custody strategies he builds for his clients. Mark’s path to family law started in social services. Working with children and families through the Department of Social Services in Philadelphia, he saw firsthand how the legal system shaped outcomes for the most vulnerable. He went to law school to become the advocate those families needed. Before transitioning to full-time practice, Mark built his career in executive leadership at organizations serving children and families, including serving as President and CEO of Eliada Services in Asheville and Chief Operations Officer at Kanuga Conferences in Hendersonville, and Chief Financial Officer at two nonprofit organizations. Six years as a CFO gave Mark a working command of financial statements, budgets, and organizational finance that directly benefits clients navigating equitable distribution matters involving business interests, retirement assets, and complex marital estates. A longtime Asheville resident with deep roots in Western North Carolina, Mark has served as a Junior Achievement instructor, an adjunct financial management professor at UNC Asheville, and a pro bono attorney with Pisgah Legal Services. He and his wife have been married for over 35 years and have three adult sons. If you are facing a family law matter in Western North Carolina, schedule a consultation with the firm’s legal team to discuss your situation and learn how he can help. Contact Petrelli Previtera today.