Michael W. Drye, P.C.  510 Swannanoa River Road  ©2013 by Michael W. Drye, P.C. All rights reserved.

Asheville, NC 28805 Tel: (828) 298-1484  Fax: (828) 298-1470

Career:

 

I started in private practice in August, 1976 in Waynesville, North Carolina. In January, 1977, I accepted a position as Assistant County Attorney for Buncombe County, North Carolina, a position I held until August, 1979, when I returned to private practice. Beginning in 1979, my practice was significantly concentrated in the area of family law. In 1993, I was board certified by the North Carolina State Bar as a Family Law Specialist. When I became board certified, I limited my practice almost exclusively to family law. I have been recertified as a Family Law Specialist in 1998, 2003 and 2008. On July 1, 2003, I was certified by the North Carolina Dispute Resolution Commission (DRC) to conduct mediations of equitable distribution and other family law cases in North Carolina District Court actions. On July 1, 2005, I was certified by the North Carolina DRC to conduct mediations in North Carolina Superior Court cases. In 2009, I was admitted to the North Carolina Academy of Superior Court Mediators, an association whose membership consists of approximately 80 of the state's best established mediators. Admittance is by invitation only and limited to neutrals who have proven experience in the resolution of commercial and civil disputes. All admitted members have been recognized for their accomplishments through a peer-nomination and client review process. To access the North Carolina Academy of Superior Court Mediators website and my listing in particular, click here. The North Carolina Academy is the local chapter of the National Academy of Distinguished Neutrals (NADN) and I am admitted to that association as well, being one of approximately 800 neutrals throughout the United States in that association. To access the National Academy of Distinguished Neutrals website and my listing in particular, click here.

 

 

Honors and Professional Recognition:

 

I have been continuously listed in each annual edition of North Carolina Super Lawyers from 2007 through 2015 under the specialty of Family Law. Super Lawyers publishes the top five percent (5%) of lawyers in each state based on peer review. I have been continuously listed in each annual edition of Best Lawyers in America from 2007 through 2015 under the category of Family Law. I have also been listed continuously in each annual edition of Best Lawyers in America from 2008 through 2015 under the additional category of Family Law Mediation, being only one of four attorneys in North Carolina to be listed in both categories of Family Law and Family Law Mediation, and the only attorney in Asheville, North Carolina to be so listed. Best Lawyers publishes the top five percent (5%) of lawyers in each state based on peer review.

 

 

 

Personal:

 

I grew up on a farm near Charlotte, North Carolina where I learned about hard work, integrity, honor, respect, humility, honesty and self-respect. I worked my way through undergraduate school, working full-time while attending college full-time, graduating with Honors. I worked my way through law school at Wake Forest University, working part-time during the school year and often two full-time jobs at times during the summers between semesters. I met my wife, Nora, while an undergraduate at UNCC, where both were attending. We were married in 1973 and have three daughters, all of whom are grown and have successful careers and endeavors. I was active in Boy Scouts of America as a youth and obtained the rank of Eagle Scout in 1969. I live a very active lifestyle and enjoy a wide range of activities, including running, hiking, fishing, camping, Harley-Davidson motorcycle riding, social dancing, reading and writing, playing and listening to music, attending concerts, especially Dave Matthews Band and Zac Brown Band, landscaping and woodworking.

 

 

Community Involvement:

 

I have always felt that I should give back to the community where I live and work. During my career, I have participated in numerous community activities and served on various boards and held various offices throughout my career as follows:

 

  • Asheville Toastmasters, President, 1999-2000, 2005-2006
  • Christian Business Men's Committee of Asheville, President, 1981-1985
  • Bethany Christian Services Advisory Board, Chairman, 1984-1986
  • Marketplace Discipleship Ministries Advisory Board, Chairman, 1992-2002
  • Asheville Day Nursery Advisory Board

 

 

 

Professional Involvement:

 

I have also continued to believe strongly that I should give back to the profession that has served me so well. During my career, I have participated in various professional capacities as follows:

 

  • North Carolina State Bar, Member, Long-Range Planning Committee of the Board of Legal Specialization, 2013 to Present
  • North Carolina State Bar, Member, Family Law Specialty Committee, 2006 to 2012
  • Twenty-Eighth Judicial District Bar, Member, Executive Committee, 2008 to 2013
  • Twenty-Eighth Judicial District Bar, Member, Grievance Committee, 1987 to 1993

 


Education:

 

  • B.A., With Honors, in Political Science, University of North Carolina at Charlotte, 1973
  • J.D., Wake Forest University, 1976

 

 

Formal Certifications:

 

  • Board Certified Specialist in Family Law, 1993, 1998, 2003, 2008
  • Certified Mediator in Family and Other Financial Cases, 2003 to present
  • Certified Mediator in Superior Court Cases, 2005 to present

 

 

Memberships and affiliations:

 

  • North Carolina State Bar
  • North Carolina Bar Association
  • Twenty-Eighth Judicial District Bar
  • American Bar Association
  • United States District Court, Western and Middle Districts of North Carolina

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