Lori Strayer is
a Paralegal certified by the North Carolina Bar Association and has
over 27 years experience. Ms. Strayer, a graduate of Williamsport Area
Community College in Pennsylvania, has an Associates Degree in Legal
Secretary Science. Ms. Strayer is our firm's Office Manager.
lori@lawyerseast.com 
Deborah (Debi) Welsh is
a Paralegal certified by the North Carolina Bar Association and has
over 18 years experience. Ms. Welsh, a graduate of East Carolina
University, has a Masters Degree in Public Administration, and an
Associate of Arts Degree in Legal Assisting from Saddleback College. She is currently working on her doctorate at East Carolina University.
Ms. Welsh assists Mr. Patrick with civil litigation matters, including
taking cases to mediation, arbitration and trial.
debi@lawyerseast.com 
Elizabeth (Beth) Tripp is
a Paralegal certified by the North Carolina Bar Association and has
over 20 years experience. Ms. Tripp, a graduate of East Carolina
University, has a Bachelor's Degree in Early Childhood Education. Ms.
Tripp specializes in civil litigation which includes assisting
attorneys in preparing our clients and their cases for mediation,
arbitration and trial.
beth@lawyerseast.com 
Coleen Ross is
a Paralegal certified by the North Carolina Bar Association and has
over 6 years experience. Ms. Ross, a graduate of Pitt Community
College, has an Associate's Degree in Paralegal Technology. Ms. Ross
assists the attorneys in working with clients on all aspects of their
claims, including obtaining medical documents, bills, and lost wage
information. She is also responsible for handling any Medicare,
Medicaid, or other liens.
coleen@lawyerseast.com 
Debra (Debbie) Toomey is a Paralegal certified by the North Carolina Bar Association and has over 5 years experience. Ms. Toomey, a graduate of Pitt Community College, has an Associate's Degree in Paralegal Technology. Ms. Toomey assists Mr. Coleman with Workers' Compensation and Social Security Disability claims.
debbie@lawyerseast.com 
Bobby Pinkston is our insurance negotiator. A graduate of the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Mr. Pinkston holds a Bachelor's Degree in Sociology. In addition, Mr. Pinkston has over 30 years of experience as a claims manager for a nationally-known insurance company. Mr. Pinkston assists the attorneys in negotiating our clients' claims with insurance adjusters before trial.
bobby@lawyerseast.com Lawyers East regularly hires interns from East Carolina University and Pitt Community College to fulfill its obligation to teach. Currently, our interns include:
Jessica McGowan, currently a student at East Carolina University, is earning her Bachelor of Science degree with a double-major in Microbiology and Political Science. Ms. McGowan is the firms receptionist and assistant to the paralegals.
jessica@lawyerseast.com 
Brian Holder, currently a student at East Carolina University, is earning his Bachelor of Science degree in Information and Computer Technology. Mr. Holder assists our firm with computer-related issues.
brian@lawyerseast.com