Biography
Having practiced law in North Carolina continuously since 1996, Attorney John O'Neal has handled a wide variety of cases including but not limited to personal injury, wrongful death, harassing and unfair debt collection, auto dealer fraud and lemon law and other vehicle (new and used) issues, wrongful repossession, junk e-mails and faxes, construction defects, breach of contract, civil litigation, and traffic tickets. He has handled cases across the State of North Carolina in state and federal courts and is admitted in all three federal district courts in North Carolina.
Education
- University of North Carolina School of Law, Chapel Hill, North Carolina
- J.D. - 1996
- University of North Carolina at Greensboro, Greensboro, North Carolina
- B.A., Political Science - 1993
- Honors: Charter Member, Pi Sigma Alpha (Political Science Honor Society)
Classes & Seminars
- Identifying Good Cases, North Carolina Association of Trial Lawyers, 2006 to 2006
- Disbursing Client Money, North Carolina Association of Trial Lawyers, 2003 to 2003
- Walking the Minefield: Blowup Prevention & Damage Control for Non-Consumer Lawyers, North Carolina Advocates for Justice, 02/27/2013 to 02/27/2013
- Dealers, Deals, and Money, North Carolina Advocates for Justice, 06/17/2015 to 06/17/2015
- Don't Know? Better Know! Know Better: Consumer Law for All, North Carolina Advocates for Justice, 06/16/2014 to 06/16/2014
- Case Intakes: Identifying Good Cases and Ethically Dispensing With the Rest, North Carolina Advocates for Justice, 06/14/2014 to 06/14/2014
- How to Steer a Vehicle (Case), Law to the People, 04/30/2015 to 04/30/2015
- Dealing with Debt Collectors: Tips, Tactics, and Tidbits, Law to the People, 09/29/2016 to 09/29/2016
- The Other Side of the V: Lessons for Dealing with Opposing Counsel, North Carolina Advocates for Justice, 06/20/2016 to 06/20/2016
- Poacher or Proper: Debt Collection Issues in Disbursements, North Carolina Advocates for Justice, 02/24/2017 to 02/24/2017
Pro-Bono Activities
- Volunteer Attorney, Womens' Resource Center, 2004 to Present
- Founding Member, Abogados y Amigos Community Group, Greensboro, 2001 to 2007
Past Positions
- Donaldson & Black, P.A., Associate Attorney, 2000 to 2005
- Joel G. Bowden Law Offices, Associate Attorney, 1997 to 2000
Professional Associations
- NCAJ/North Carolina Academy of Trial Lawyers, Member, 1998 to Present
- North Carolina Bar Association, Member, 2001 to Present
Current Employment Position
- Sole Practitioner
Practice Areas
- Consumer Law (Debt Collection Defense, Car Law, etc.)
- Car Law (Lemon Law, Motor Vehicle Repair, Odometer Disclosure, Property Damage)
- Civil Litigation (State and Federal Courts)
- Consumer Law (Debt Collection Defense, Harassing and Unfair Debt Collection, Warranty Law, etc.)
- Contracts and Business Law
- Insurance Matters
- Professional Negligence / Non-Medical Malpractice
- Traffic Tickets
Bar Admissions
- North Carolina, 1996
- U.S. District Court Middle District of North Carolina
- U.S. District Court Western District of North Carolina
- U.S. District Court Eastern District of North Carolina
Honors
- Business North Carolina's 2007 Legal Elite, 2007
- 2007 North Carolina Academy of Trial Lawyers Ebby Award (for dedicated service)
- 2012 NC Advocates for Justice Ebby Award
Representative Cases
- Street v. Smart Corporation, https://appellate.nccourts.org/opinions/?c=2&pdf=21136, 2003, N.C. Court of Appeals, 157 N.C. App. 293, 578 S.E.2d 695