About
Cassandra’s practice is focused on estate planning and tax law; special needs planning; estate administration; business succession planning; as well as corporate and tax work for nonprofit organizations. She assists families and individuals with a range of estate planning services – including wills, trusts, family limited liability companies and charitable and gifting opportunities – as they seek to balance personal and tax objectives. She often works with owners and management of closely held businesses to develop succession plans. Cassandra also represents nonprofit organizations in organization, governance and compliance matters.
After graduating from Loyola University New Orleans College of Law, Cassandra focused her legal education on the area of tax law by attending Georgetown University Law Center where she received a Masters of Laws in Taxation. She moved to Charlotte and began her legal career at the firm of Cansler Lockhart and Evans, PA, where she began to develop a general civil practice. Cassandra concentrated on tax, estate and business succession planning at the firms of Perry, Patrick, Farmer & Michaux, PA and Johnston, Allison & Hord, PA. Her passion for working with nonprofit organizations led her to Foundation For The Carolinas, where she worked with Charlotte’s arts, science and history organizations as Vice President for Planned Giving for the Greater Charlotte Cultural Trust (formerly known as the Foundation for the Arts Sciences). Continuing to broaden her experience in personal wealth and estate work, Cassandra entered the world of financial planning as a Financial Advisor with Rinehart Wealth Management. To develop balance between her professional and volunteer work and personal life, Cassandra moved from working in an office environment to maintaining a solo law practice from her home. Now that her children are older, Cassandra has opened an office where she will be able to expand her practice while maintaining the flexibility that her family needs.
Professional Affiliations
Community Activities
North Carolina State Bar, Member 1994 – Present
Charlotte Mecklenburg Schools, Bond Oversight Committee 2017 – Present; Privatization Advisory Committee 2011 – 2013
North Carolina Bar Association, Member 1994 – Present, Estate Planning and Fiduciary Law Section, 1994 – Present; Contributing Author, North Carolina Estate Administration Manual, 2002-2003
Care Ring, Board of Directors 2008 – Present, Secretary 2011-2012; Development Committee co-Chair 2010-2011
Mecklenburg Bar Foundation, Board of Directors 2004-2006; Treasurer 2005-2006
Holy Comforter Episcopal Church, Annual Giving Committee Co-chair 2010, Stewardship Committee Chair 2011, Parish Life Chair 2009-2010
Johnston YMCA, Board of Managers 2001-2004
