William Lenox Fay

Immigration Attorney at Asheville, NC

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Upfront and honest from the beginning.

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.

Excessive Speeding Ticket

About William

Learn William’s areas of practice.

Practice areas

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.

Photos and videos

Licensed for 17 years

State NC

Status Active

Acquired 2005

Updated 12/27/2022

We have not found any instances of professional misconduct for this lawyer.

Contact William

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Reviews

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4.8 / 5.0

24 customer reviews

5 Star

96%

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1 Star

Posted by Charles | November 17, 2018

Upfront and honest from the beginning.

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Posted by Roy | February 28, 2018

Excessive Speeding Ticket

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!

Posted by Randy | February 9, 2018

Excellent, Professional, Fast and affordable!

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!

Posted by Sona | January 26, 2018

Best Experience and Outcome Possible

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.

Posted by anonymous | October 26, 2017

Results as Promised

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.

Posted by Carlos Romero | July 19, 2017

Great lawyer -- highly recommended!!

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.

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Posted by Samuel | May 2, 2017

This man has integrity.

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.

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Posted by anonymous | December 15, 2016

Great guy!

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.

Posted by Denise | October 17, 2016

HEAVEN SENT

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

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Posted by Stephanie | March 5, 2016

Choose this practice

Kind, knowledgeable, efficient, very easy to work with! So glad this practice basically fell in to my lap! You cannot go wrong choosing this practice!

Posted by anonymous | May 4, 2015

Realistic Expectations, Great Results

I was referred to Fay and Grafton from another attorney I trusted. The firm never boasted that they could make my DUI charge go away...in fact the evidence did not look good, but I was assured that they would investigate every avenue to help my case. The odds were against me. The day of trial I was fully expecting a guilty verdict, with William Fay advocating for the "best" arrangements in being found guilty. In court however, Fay took the damaging video of the arrest and turned it on its head, pointing out mistakes made by officers, establishing bias in the investigation, pointing out differences in the officers' reports versus their testimonies, and poked enough holes in the prosecution's evidence to cast doubt. We pled to the lesser charge of driving the wrong way, and I could not be happier with the work that they performed. Fay and Grafton prepared me for the likely outcome, but Fay dazzled in court and I cannot thank nor recommend this firm enough.

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Posted by anonymous | April 22, 2015

Best DWI and criminal defense attorney in Raleigh

William Fay has represented me multiple times for different criminal misdemeanor charges by trial and has won multiple cases in my defense. I know from experience he is by far the best criminal defense attorney in Wake County. If you or someone you know has been charged for driving while impaired, I urge you to hire Mr. Fay. He specializes in this field and is beyond knowledgeable in how to protect your rights in North Carolina by providing inside legal information. William Fay understands people who make mistakes shouldn't have to pay for it the rest of their lives. No matter how guilty you may feel at the time of your arrest, I promise you, Mr. Fay is effective in his defense by making sure you are treated fairly and will help provide the best possible outcome. He has the right answers on how to get DUI charges dismissed from your record. Know your rights as a North Carolina citizen and hire William Fay in your defense. He has never let me down and I can assure you, a stress will be lifted off your shoulders with him as your attorney.

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Posted by anonymous | February 18, 2014

Excellent Attorney

Mr. Fay is an excellent attorney. I hired him for a 2nd time offense of DUI. He got me an incredible deal and kept me up to date every step of the way. I HIGHLY recommend Mr. Fay and his staff.

Posted by anonymous | September 25, 2013

Awesome lawyer!

Mr. Fay handled my case for an shoplifting. I was very nervous since this was the first time I had ever been in this situation. He presented me with a few different options and helped me to select the best one for me. He advised me to complete community service prior to my court date. On my court date, he was able to get my case dismissed promptly. Through this process, his office kept me informed and even helped to find places for community service. Now, he is helping me with the expungement process. I am happy to have put all this behind me, all thanks to Will.

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Posted by A.J. | July 15, 2013

Gets the Job Done

Wil and his team made getting a ticket painless. He knows all there is to know about criminal law in Wake County, and there is no reason you should consider other options without consulting him first. I hadn't had a ticket in years but got a little distracted and was caught at 49 in a 35. Wil got the ticket completely removed from my record when I understandably agreed to take an 8-hour driving course. Both the cost and the pain was far less than if I'd gotten any points or even had my ticket reduced. I also have first-hand knowledge of many other kinds of criminal cases he has handled expertly, and I would highly recommend you consult with him on any matter. If, for any reason, he feels you could better be represented elsewhere, he will point you in that direction. That's the kind of integrity he has.

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Posted by N & F | September 9, 2011

A client

Mr. Fay is by far the best defense attorney I have ever had the pleasure of working with. He agreed to help us despite the complicated nature of our case. He was very professional, knowledgeable, respectful, understanding, and compassionate. What he accomplished for us was nothing short of a miracle. We consider ourselves very lucky and recommend Mr. Fay to anyone who may be in need of a great defense attorney.

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Posted by Daniel | July 25, 2011

Great Lawyer

Great lawyer! I received a DWI from a check point in December and Will was able to get the charges dismissed due to an issue with the check point. Because the check point was illegal the DA had no choice but to drop the case. Couldn't be more happy with the result. Thanks Will.

Posted by Kevin | May 22, 2011

Best lawyer I have ever hired.

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.

Posted by anonymous | March 12, 2010

Great Lawyer!

Mr. Fay takes care of his clients extremely well, and stays in touch through updates and information on the case. My charges were dropped in a matter of a month or so, and I never had to show up in court. I would recommend this lawyer anytime, anywhere.

Posted by anonymous | February 21, 2010

Knowledgable attorney that will fight for your rights

Will worked with me for a year and three months to fight my DUI/speeding charges. He challenged the DA and officer involved. He is very knowledgable and had my best interest at heart. I paid him upfront, although it was not required. Never once did he not keep me abreast of what was going on. He informed me of the steps I needed to take on my behalf to help my case along. Now that my case is over he continues to be responsive and return my phone calls if I have a question. I consider him a friend. He is not your typical money hungry lawyer that sees only dollar signs. Will has a heart and will fight for you till the end. He is at the top of my list for attorneys in the Triangle. I feel confident calling him with any matters that arise. I encourage anyone who is dealing with a legal matter to give him a call and he will give you a honest, realistic answer as to what he can do to help you. Sincere regards.

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Cost

Resume

AVVO RATING 10.0 (Superb)

Work Experience

Managing Partner
Fay Grafton Nunez
2005 - Present

Summer Associate
Spencer Fane Britt & Browne
2004 - 2004

Judicial Externship
U.S. District Court, Eastern District of Missouri Judge Catherine D. Perry
2004 - 2005

Law Clerk
Beech Law Firm - St. Louis, MO
2003 - 2004

Sales Account Executive
Lucent Technologies
1997 - 2000

View all work experience

Education

Saint Louis University School of Law
J.D. Magna Cum Laude - class rank # 6 of 312
2005

Arizona State University
BS - Bachelor of Science - Cum Laude
1997

Washington University
attended 1993-1995
N/A

Legal Cases

State v J
Dismissed

MAR re: D
MAR Granted - Case Dismissed

State v JW
Not Guilty

View all legal cases

Associations

North Carolina Advocates for Justice
NCAJ Liaison of the NCBA Criminal Justice Section Leadership
2020 - Present

North Carolina Advocates for Justice
Member
2016 - Present

28th Judicial District Bar
Member
2016 - Present

Immigration Advocates
Pro Bono Resource Attorney
2016 - Present

American Civil Liberties Union
Member
2011 - Present

North Carolina Bar Association
Member
2005 - Present

North Carolina Bar Association, Criminal Justice Section
Member
2005 - Present

North Carolina Advocates for Justice, Criminal Defense Section
Education Committee
2016 - 2019

North Carolina Advocates for Justice, DWI Section
Member
2016 - 2019

National College of DUI Defense
Member
2016 - 2018

North Carolina Bar Association, Criminal Justice Section, CLE Committee
Co-chair
2016 - 2019

Wake County Academy of Criminal Trial Lawyers
Member
2007 - 2016

Wake County Bar Association
2005 - 2016

View all associations

Languages Spoken

Spanish

English

Honors and Awards

Premier 100 Trial Attorneys
National Academy of Jurisprudence
2016

Top 100 Trial Lawyers
National Trial Lawyers
2016

Lead Counsel Rated - Criminal Law - State Felony & Misdemeanor.
Lead Counsel
2015

Lead Counsel Rated - Drunk Driving Defense
Lead Counsel
2015

Humanitarian of the Year
NAACP
2014

Clients Choice
Avvo
2012

Best Criminal Attorney in Raleigh
CitySpur.com
2009

Academic Excellence Award: Juvenile Law
St. Louis University School of Law
2005

Academic Excellence Award: Criminal Procedure
St. Louis University School of Law
2004

Academic Excellence Award: Professional Responsibility
St. Louis University School of Law
2004

Academic Excellence Award: Alternative Dispute Resolution
St. Louis University School of Law
2004

Academic Excellence Award: Legal Research and Writing
St. Louis University School of Law
2003

View all awards

Publications

HG.org Global Legal Resources
Bad Stops in the Wake of Utah v. Strieff
2016

Blog - Google +
Pending Criminal Charges Should All be Sealed
2016

Google + blog
Immigration Law and Criminal Law Make for a Dangerous Mix
2016

Que Pasa
Why paying off your ticket is a bad idea
2015

The Daily Reflector
ECU Professor Speaks Out
2013

View all publications

Speaking Engagements

Wake County Academy of Criminal Trial Lawyers CLE
Defending a DWI
2014

Wake County Academy of Criminal Trial Lawyers 2013 Annual CLE
Roadside Testing: A Controlled Drinking Exercise
2013

Law Review CLE - Marriott Raleigh
Over the Limit: Defending a DUI Case
2013

Wake County Academy of Criminal Trial Lawyers CLE
DWI Law and Trial Practice
2011

Wake County Academy of Criminal Trial Lawyers CLE
DWI Field Sobriety Testing
2009

View all speaking engagements

Attorney endorsements

Received (22)

Given (23)

Endorse William

Collin Cook

Criminal defense Attorney | Jun 09
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 | Feb 11
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

Unknown Attorney | Jun 05
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

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

Andrea Fowler

Criminal defense Attorney | Aug 24
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 | Jun 30
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 | Jun 22
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

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

Jessica Yanez

Criminal defense Attorney | Dec 09
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 | Nov 19
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 | Jul 08
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 | Oct 19
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 | Jul 21
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 | Jul 08
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"I endorse this lawyer."

Anthony Tuorto

Criminal defense Attorney | Jun 19
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"I endorse this lawyer."

Thomas Goolsby

DUI and DWI Attorney | Jun 19
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 | Apr 21
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 | Feb 08
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 | Oct 12
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 | Sep 28
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 | May 20
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 | May 19
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."

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James Lee

Criminal defense