Johnson, Michael R.

Wyles was born in Petersburg, Va., on Jan. 22, 1956. He attended Old Dominion University in Norfolk, Va., receiving his Bachelor of Science (cum laude) in Business Administration in May of 1981 and his M.B.A. in December of 1982. He received his Doctor of Jurisprudence degree from Norman Adrian Wiggins School of Law at Campbell University in December of 2001.

Wyles is licensed to practice before all North Carolina State Courts, the Federal District Court for the Eastern and Middle Districts of North Carolina, and the United States Fourth Circuit Court of Appeals. He is a member of the American Bar Association, North Carolina Bar Association, the Eighth Judicial District Bar Association, the Lenoir County Bar Association, the American Association for Justice, the North Carolina Advocates for Justice, and the National Academy of Elder Law Attorneys.

Wyles' practice is substantially concentrated in Elder and Special Needs Law, in which he focuses on issues unique to the elderly and disabled and advocates for their right to public benefits such as Special Assistance, Medicare, and Medicaid. He is a Board Certified Specialist in Elder Law by the North Carolina State Bar Board of Legal Specialization, and is a Certified Elder Law Attorney (CELA) by the National Elder Law Foundation. His practice also includes an emphasis in issues confronting war veterans in need of medical assistance, and is accredited for the preparation, presentation and prosecution of claims for veterans benefits before the Department of Veterans Affairs. His other practice areas are general civil litigation, complex business litigation and construction law.

Prior to becoming associated with White & Allen, P.A., Wyles was employed in the construction and financial services industries, experiences which provide him valuable insight concerning litigation of disputes within those industries.

Wyles is a boating enthusiast, proficient scuba diver and eager fisherman, and travels to the Eastern Seaboard and Caribbean in pursuit of those interests.

In recent cases/transactions of note:

• Represented over 500 elderly or disabled clients advising planning strategies to facilitate eligibility for public benefits such as Medicaid while preserving assets for family members.

• Represented a closely held corporation and its majority shareholder in the North Carolina Business Court in a dispute over the consideration paid for minority shareholders' interests.

• Represented the owner of a commercial building in a warranty dispute with a roofing manufacturer, the law for which was governed by the Uniform Commercial Code.

• Represented a former employee of a building contractor in a dispute over promised wages under the North Carolina Wage and Hour Act.

• Represented several homeowners in a construction defect dispute with the home's builder/seller.