Attorney Cheryl Andrews McDonald

Even before law school, my life experiences prepared me to be an advocate, shaping my understanding of courage and the need to have someone in your corner. They gave me the empathy to advise and advocate for victims of crime, and the perspective to listen to every voice that comes before the court. I have been able to use my experiences as tools to help others. 

After graduating from the University of North Carolina at Greensboro with honors - summa cum laude and phi beta kappa, I attended Wake Forest University School of Law, where my passion for trial practice was ignited. I found a way to use the strength and understanding that I had gathered from my life to be the voice for others. 

I began my legal career in public service with the Forsyth County Public Defender’s Office. I like to think of my time there as trial lawyer “boot camp” where I learned to manage heavy caseloads and make decisions under pressure. Those years strengthened my resilience and compassion, and gave me a deep understanding of the challenges within our justice system. 

After 4 years with the public defender’s office, in 2010 I was fortunate to have the opportunity to practice with the Holton Law Firm, with former U.S. Attorney Walter C. Holton, Jr. and Lynne Holton.  My trial practice has expanded beyond criminal cases to civil litigation in state and federal courts throughout North Carolina and other states.  I have handled business disputes, domestic cases, personal injury, wrongful death, estate disputes, federal qui tam actions and all variety of criminal cases.  I have also handled appeals in North Carolina as well as argued before the Fourth Circuit Court of Appeals.  Prevailing on a motion to suppress in State v. Smith helped shape the North Carolina law on warrantless searches. I am also proud that my trial work in State v. Corbett helped provide a basis for a new trial as determined by Judge Zachary at the Court of Appeals and Justice Earls at the Supreme Court.  My district court work, briefing, and then oral argument before the Fourth Circuit Court of Appeals in United States v. Bolton, led to the court’s clarification of the United States Sentencing Guidelines treatment of firearms possession at sentencing.  

As my study and practice of law continued, I also continued to grow and learn through my life experiences.   I know what it feels like to walk into a courtroom as a party to a case. I know that to all appearing before the court, their case is the most important thing in their life at that moment. I know that all my clients deserve to be heard, respected, and treated with dignity.