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William Lenox Fay

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Virtual Consultation
also known as William Fay, Wil Fay
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Avvo Rating10
  • Asheville, NC
  • Licensed for 15 years
William Lenox Fay
William Lenox Fay
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About William

We do Criminal Defense, DWI, Traffic, and Immigration. My firm has offices in Asheville and Raleigh.

I believe very strongly in the concept of liberty and the freedoms granted to each of us by the Constitution.  I consider the Courthouse to be the front lines of the battleground for our liberty and I'm proud to be a leader and a soldier on that front line.  My experience as a law student, including law journal editor, judicial externship and focused studies, built a solid foundation for my law career. This foundation is strengthened by working within the court system each day, defending my clients' rights.  My life experience as a husband, father and employee before I entered the legal profession all contribute to my professional ethics and values, making me a better lawyer.

I have taught courses to other practicing attorneys on effective ways to defend criminal charges, have served as a featured panelist in roundtable Q&As for practicing attorneys who want to hone their defense skills, provided private consults for attorneys who needed help with more difficult cases, and coached a high school mock trial team who took first in the State and finished second nationally (I can't take much credit for that though - those kids were rockstars in the courtroom).  Before law school, I worked for Lucent Technologies selling Optical Networking Equipment and Fiber Optic Cable.  It was a good opportunity to travel the world a bit and develop some key negotation and persuasion tools. 

I believe in providing direct, effective, and compassionate counsel to my clients and I defend their rights with integrity and professionalism.

Personal interests:

My work and family keep me busy, but I am an avid fan of the St. Louis Cardinals, Rams & Blues.  

Practice areas

DUI and DWISpeeding and traffic ticketCriminal defenseImmigration
  1. Immigration: 40%

  2. Criminal defense: 30%

  3. Speeding and traffic ticket: 20%

  4. DUI and DWI: 10%

Languages spoken

Spanish, English

Photos and videos

1733445 1374254977

1733445 1404936672

1733445 1591637263

Contact

1 North Pack Sq.
address map

Fay Grafton Nunez

1 North Pack Sq.
Suite 403
Asheville, NC, 28801

Website
http://www.faygrafton.com

    Resume

    License
    StateStatusAcquiredUpdated
    NCActive200501/23/2021
    We have not found any instances of professional misconduct for this lawyer.
    Avvo Contributions
    Legal answers110
    Legal guides2
    Awards
    Award nameGrantorDate granted
    Premier 100 Trial AttorneysNational Academy of Jurisprudence2016
    Top 100 Trial LawyersNational Trial Lawyers2016
    Lead Counsel Rated - Criminal Law - State Felony & Misdemeanor.Lead Counsel2015
    Lead Counsel Rated - Drunk Driving DefenseLead Counsel2015
    Humanitarian of the YearNAACP2014
    Clients ChoiceAvvo2012
    Best Criminal Attorney in RaleighCitySpur.com2009
    Academic Excellence Award: Juvenile LawSt. Louis University School of Law2005
    Academic Excellence Award: Criminal ProcedureSt. Louis University School of Law2004
    Academic Excellence Award: Professional ResponsibilitySt. Louis University School of Law2004
    Academic Excellence Award: Alternative Dispute ResolutionSt. Louis University School of Law2004
    Academic Excellence Award: Legal Research and WritingSt. Louis University School of Law2003
    Work Experience
    TitleCompany nameDuration
    Managing PartnerFay Grafton Nunez2005 - Present
    Summer AssociateSpencer Fane Britt & Browne2004 - 2004
    Judicial ExternshipU.S. District Court, Eastern District of Missouri Judge Catherine D. Perry2004 - 2005
    Law ClerkBeech Law Firm - St. Louis, MO2003 - 2004
    Sales Account ExecutiveLucent Technologies1997 - 2000
    Associations
    Association namePosition nameDuration
    North Carolina Advocates for JusticeNCAJ Liaison of the NCBA Criminal Justice Section Leadership2020 - Present
    North Carolina Advocates for JusticeMember2016 - Present
    28th Judicial District BarMember2016 - Present
    Immigration AdvocatesPro Bono Resource Attorney2016 - Present
    American Civil Liberties UnionMember2011 - Present
    North Carolina Bar AssociationMember2005 - Present
    North Carolina Bar Association, Criminal Justice SectionMember2005 - Present
    North Carolina Advocates for Justice, Criminal Defense SectionEducation Committee2016 - 2019
    North Carolina Advocates for Justice, DWI SectionMember2016 - 2019
    National College of DUI DefenseMember2016 - 2018
    North Carolina Bar Association, Criminal Justice Section, CLE CommitteeCo-chair2016 - 2019
    Wake County Academy of Criminal Trial LawyersMember2007 - 2016
    Wake County Bar AssociationN/A2005 - 2016
    Publications
    Publication nameTitleDate
    HG.org Global Legal ResourcesBad Stops in the Wake of Utah v. Strieff2016
    Blog - Google +Pending Criminal Charges Should All be Sealed2016
    Google + blogImmigration Law and Criminal Law Make for a Dangerous Mix2016
    Que PasaWhy paying off your ticket is a bad idea2015
    Google+ blogWhy We Should All Loathe Checkpoints2014
    The Daily ReflectorECU Professor Speaks Out2013
    Education
    School nameDegreeGraduated
    Saint Louis University School of LawJ.D. Magna Cum Laude - class rank # 6 of 3122005
    Arizona State UniversityBS - Bachelor of Science - Cum Laude1997
    Washington Universityattended 1993-1995N/A
    Speaking Engagements
    Conference nameTitleDate
    Wake County Academy of Criminal Trial Lawyers CLEDefending a DWI2014
    Wake County Academy of Criminal Trial Lawyers 2013 Annual CLERoadside Testing: A Controlled Drinking Exercise2013
    Law Review CLE - Marriott RaleighOver the Limit: Defending a DUI Case2013
    Wake County Academy of Criminal Trial Lawyers CLEDWI Law and Trial Practice2011
    Wake County Academy of Criminal Trial Lawyers CLEDWI Field Sobriety Testing2009
    Legal cases
    Case nameOutcome
    State v JDismissed
    MAR re: DMAR Granted - Case Dismissed
    State v JWNot Guilty
    State v DNot Guilty
    State v DCDismissed by the Court
    State v NNot Guilty
    State v HDismissed by the Court
    State v CDismissed
    State v LNot Guilty
    State v ENot Guilty
    State v ENot Guilty
    State v MNot Guilty
    State v MNot Guilty
    State v LMNot Guilty

    Reviews

    (24)
    5 Star
    		96%
    4 Star
    		0%
    3 Star
    		0%
    2 Star
    		0%
    1 Star
    		4%
    Review William Fay

    Best lawyer I have ever hired.

    Posted by

    I call him, he takes care of it, no more problems. He knows what he is doing and gets the job done right every time. If I have any questions about anything he gets me the answers I need, even if it means he has to call me after he gets off work on his cell.

    Great lawyer -- highly recommended!!

    Posted by

    I reached out to Mr. Fay due to a drunken confrontation I had with a business owner in Asheville. It was a very stupid situation on my part and I wasn't sure how I would go about dealing with the issue so I decided to look for a good lawyer and came across Fay & Grafton. After talking to Mr. Fay I was a little relieve to have representation at a reasonable rate. I was able to communicate with Mr. Fay through his office phone, cell phone, and/or email whenever needed. I didn't receive lots of feedback since my case involve not being able to talk to the person pressing charges and/or waiting for him to get back to Mr. Fay. This made the process a bit scary since I wasn't sure what the outcome would be but when the court date came Mr. Fay was able to arrange a meeting where things worked out and the case was dropped. I highly recommend him and his team for any cases you might be dealing with not due to a dumb decision.
    This review is from a person who hired this attorney.
    Hired attorney

    Upfront and honest from the beginning.

    Posted by

    William Fay represented me in traffic court and did an absolutely stellar job. Our initial consult was very professional and he gave me all the information that I needed to make an informed decision; this was prior to me actually paying him any money. This was honestly the stand out part of the experience. Every other law firm I had contacted directed me straight to an assistant; whilst this is not a problem, none of the assistants really had much legal knowledge and was not able to give convincing nor accurate details on my case which meant making an informed decision on who to hire utterly impossible. When contacting William on the other hand; I was put in direct contact with him; an actual lawyer! He was upfront and honest from the beginning and made me confident in letting him represent me.
    This review is from a person who hired this attorney.
    Hired attorney

    Excessive Speeding Ticket

    Posted by

    Was speeding 25 mph over the limit on I-40...simply wasn't paying attention. Received 20 mail solicitations from lawyers and was ready to use one of them. Checked AVVO and found Mr Fay. Met with him once and he worked at it until he got the case dismissed!!! Awesome experience and result!
    This review is from a person who hired this attorney.
    Hired attorney

    Excellent, Professional, Fast and affordable!

    Posted by

    I had a speeding ticket of 70mph in a 55mph zone. I contacted Mr. Fay that day and my ticket was dismissed the very next day! I would recommend Mr. Fay very highly. He is kind, professional, fast and affordable! His work is excellent and I highly recommend him to anyone!
    This review is from a person who hired this attorney.
    Hired attorney

    Best Experience and Outcome Possible

    Posted by

    Hired William Fay for a basic speeding ticket. 80 in a 65. Got in touch with him over the phone immediately. He is extremely prompt in responding to emails and text messages. Ticket was dismissed within a week. Highly recommended. Don't waste your time comparing rates. He's the best around.
    This review is from a person who hired this attorney.
    Hired attorney

    Results as Promised

    Posted by

    William consulted with me regarding a speeding ticket citation. Once hired, he was able to obtain the desired results we discussed! I am incredibly happy with the time frame and outcome of his service. I highly recommend using this lawyer for your legal council needs.
    This review is from a person who hired this attorney.
    Hired attorney

    This man has integrity.

    Posted by

    I visited Fay's office for a consultation about a minor traffic violation. He was direct. He explained plainly what my options were, and made it clear exactly what I'd be getting for his fee. In hindsight, it's apparent that Fay easily could have used his specialized knowledge to gain a quick buck from me, but instead, he did the opposite, advising me not to waste my money on his services. He advised me against his own interest! That's integrity. I will be seeking out William Fay if I ever find myself in legal trouble again.
    This review is from a potential client who consulted with this attorney.
    Consulted attorney

    Great guy!

    Posted by

    Consulted with Mr. Fay regarding a confusing traffic ticket predicament. He was very helpful and provided solid advice for sorting out the nonsense. Even made some calls for me. Straightforward and knowledgeable. I would've hired him if had the situation called for it.
    This review is from a potential client who consulted with this attorney.
    Consulted attorney

    HEAVEN SENT

    Posted by

    I contacted FAY & GRAFTON on Friday evening via email in distress after finding out I had a unknown criminal charge summons in Raleigh, NC pending from January 2015 Mr. Fay called me within 30 minutes of receiving my initial email. We spoke briefly he said that he would be in the office the next day which was Saturday morning he will send me and email. Mr. Fay emailed me my next steps as far as documents that he needed. I was accused of not paying my hotel fee while I visited Raleigh in January 2015 to bury one of my oldest brothers. I sent Mr. Fay my bank account statements showing that the hotel debited my account twice. I live in PG County, Maryland and I was recently hired to work for a prestigious company and this accusation was hindering me from potentially having to resign before I get a chance to start. Monday morning my investigator called me telling me her supervisor needed a resolution fast I was so frustrated and my phone rang it was Jon whom I must say was very pleasant and attentive. Long story short Mr. Fay called me to tell me my case was dismissed. I was in the middle of the mall screaming it was such a sigh of relieve. I told Mr. Fay if I was in Raleigh I would give him a HIGH five. I appreciate him and his team for helping me resolve this issue quickly. I sent my investigator the information that she needed and all is well. I will be able to start my job on time. This law firm ROCKS from Raleigh, NC all the way to PG County Maryland, Thank you so much
    This review is from a person who hired this attorney.
    Hired attorney
    See all reviews

    Attorney endorsements

    (22)
    Are you an attorney? Endorse this lawyer

    Collin Cook, Criminal defense Attorney on Jun 9, 2016
    Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

    I endorse Wil Fay without hesitation. He is a highly intelligent lawyer with an extensive knowledge of the law that allows him to effectively represent his clients on a broad range of criminal matters ranging from the most serious felonies to traffic matters. He is a skilled trial advocate who does not hesitate to fight for his clients.

    William Young, Criminal defense Attorney on Feb 11, 2010
    Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

    Wil is an outstanding litigator and advocate. He truly cares about his clients and seeks justice for them as if it was for himself.

    James Lee

    Will is an outstanding litigator who represents his clients to the hilt. I wholeheartedly endorse this lawyer.

    Andrea Fowler, Criminal defense Attorney on Aug 24, 2016
    Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

    Mr. Fay is a fierce advocate for his clients. He developed a great reputation as a seasoned litigator. Whether it's a traffic ticket or a major felony, he's the person for the job. I wholeheartedly endorse Mr. Fay for any criminal matter.

    David Ward, Criminal defense Attorney on Jun 30, 2016
    Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

    Wil and I met very early in my career. The thing that immediately drew my attention was the fact that Wil really went to bat for every one of his clients. When he walks into a court room everyone there knows that Wil knows his case, knows the law, and knows how to try and win cases. I've even had the pleasure of working cases with Wil. If I was ever in need of help personally, Wil is on the very short list of lawyers I would go to. His clients are extremely lucky to have him!

    James Little, Criminal defense Attorney on Jun 22, 2016
    Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

    Will is well versed in the law and zealously advocates for his clients.

    Collin Cook, Criminal defense Attorney on Jun 9, 2016
    Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

    I endorse Wil Fay without hesitation. He is a highly intelligent lawyer with an extensive knowledge of the law that allows him to effectively represent his clients on a broad range of criminal matters ranging from the most serious felonies to traffic matters. He is a skilled trial advocate who does not hesitate to fight for his clients.

    Jessica Yanez, Criminal defense Attorney on Dec 9, 2015
    Relationship: Worked together on matter

    William Fay is without a doubt an incredible attorney who treats every client with the utmost respect. He handles difficult cases with grace and humility while delivering outstanding results. He and everyone in his office are extremely professional and responsive. He has helped numerous of my clients throughout the years and I'm sure he will continue to do so for many years to come. Thank you Will. Your advocacy and passion for justice are greatly appreciated.

    Ana Nunez, Criminal defense Attorney on Nov 19, 2015
    Relationship: Co-worker

    Wil has an outstanding reputation as one of the very best legal minds in the area but the reason I joined his firm is because of his genuine care and compassion for his clients.

    Phillip Liles, Criminal defense Attorney on Jul 8, 2015
    Relationship: Co-worker

    I respect Wil's capability as a criminal defense attorney so much that I quit my job at the Wake County District Attorney's Office to become his law partner.

    Raymond Tarlton, Criminal defense Attorney on Oct 19, 2014
    Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

    I first met Will when I was a prosecutor in Wake County. He is very skilled at negotiating pleas when it is in his clients' best interests but is incredibly capable at trial when no other resolution can, or should, be reached. He is someone I regularly trust for advise on how to help my clients who have complex legal problems.

    Colby Berry, Criminal defense Attorney on Jul 21, 2014
    Relationship: Worked together on matter

    Mr. Fay is an excellent criminal defense attorney. He knows the law, knows how to fight a case, and consistently gives legal advice in the best interests of his clients.

    Mary Darrow, Criminal defense Attorney on Jul 8, 2014
    Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

    I endorse this lawyer.

    Anthony Tuorto, Criminal defense Attorney on Jun 19, 2014
    Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

    I endorse this lawyer.

    Thomas Goolsby, DUI and DWI Attorney on Jun 19, 2014
    Relationship: Other

    I endorse William. He is a highly skilled lawyer and is well respected in the legal community.

    Damon Chetson, DUI and DWI Attorney on Apr 21, 2013
    Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

    I endorse this lawyer. Wil Fay is an excellent lawyer. He represents clients in Wake County. He is regarded as an effective and trusted lawyer in Wake County District Court.

    Jesse Scharff, DUI and DWI Attorney on Feb 8, 2013
    Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

    I endorse this lawyer. I see Will in court almost every day. He really knows his stuff. He goes to work for his people and gets some pretty amazing results. Highly recommended.

    Michael Waddington, Criminal defense Attorney on Oct 12, 2012
    Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

    I endorse William. He is a highly skilled attorney that is well respected in the legal community.

    J. Williams, Criminal defense Attorney on Sep 28, 2012
    Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

    William Fay is one of the best criminal attorneys in North Carolina. His aggressive approach and experience handling a high volume of cases are both assets anyone facing criminal charges should seek out in their defense. I highly recommend him.

    Matthew Suczynski, Criminal defense Attorney on May 20, 2011
    Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

    Will is a great lawyer who isn't afraid of trying case or standing up to a District Attorney.

    Michael Paduchowski, Criminal defense Attorney on May 19, 2011
    Relationship: Worked together on matter

    Attorney Fay and I have worked together on numerous matters. He does great work for his clients in Wake County. His firm is one of few that services both Spanish speaking and English speaking clients, providing a high level of service to each. I definitely endorse his services and recommend Attorney Fay to those with a legal need in the area.

    A. Patrick Roberts, Criminal defense Attorney on Apr 6, 2011
    Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

    I endorse this lawyer. Mr. Fay's professionalism and dedication to his clients is consistent with the outstanding service he provides. His clients are fortunate to have him in their corner.