David Thurman | Estate Planning

Thurman, Wilson, Boutwell & Galvin P.A.

David Thurman | Thurman, Wilson, Boutwell & Galvin P.A.

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Firm Summary

I love the practice of law because I love people. My practice is an opportunity to serve people – many times to serve people that are in difficult or delicate situations.

People are interesting and they have interesting cases. I have clients that adopted triplets (we later determined that the birth mother had used fertility drugs). I worked with another client to close a $20,000,000.00 loan facility in Boston during a driving snow storm. I have supervised the signing of adoption paperwork in the parking lot of a restaurant near Linville, NC because the birth parents desired secrecy and did not want to sign the documents in the hospital. Another time a client flew me to Belize to assist that client in the purchase of an island there.

People also do loving, sacrificial, and honorable acts. I have clients that adopted a child born with part of the brain missing – a child with a life expectancy of less than two years who could never respond to them. They adopted the child simply to show love to that child. A business client paid debts it did not owe when a Seller of a business misrepresented its payables on the closing documents. My client probably could have left the bills unpaid without adverse consequences, but made the payments out of a sense of honor and to protect its reputation.

My representation includes transactional and litigation matters, with an emphasis on adoptions and homeowners associations. I have tried cases all over North Carolina – in the mountains, piedmont, and coastal regions of our state. Our firm has completed over 1000 private and agency adoptions, and we represent scores of community associations. I have practiced law for 36+ years and I have high expertise in my chosen practice areas.

My job is to listen to my client and to find a solution to my client’s needs. Sometimes that solution is as easy as drafting a customized document. Other times that solution involves complex litigation. When I meet with a client, I propose options based on the situation. Although the client ultimately makes the decision, my job is to educate the client and to make recommendations on possible solutions. Because my practice began in a civil litigation firm, my knowledge of the advantages and disadvantages of the adversarial process informs my recommendations.

I am the senior partner and a founding member of Thurman, Wilson, Boutwell & Galvin, P.A. My extensive courtroom experience since 1983 enables me to advocate for clients effectively in contested matters including adoption, foreclosure, and business cases. I receive many referrals from fellow attorneys, and I have successfully argued cases before both the Court of Appeals and the Supreme Court of North Carolina.

I also have been a featured speaker at numerous legal seminars, including Continuing Legal Education courses teaching other attorneys. I am often consulted for the purpose of personal counsel in addition to legal advice.

My firm, Thurman, Wilson, Boutwell & Galvin, P.A., can help you. Call me today at (704) 377-4164.

Education
J.D. , UNC-Chapel Hill, 1983
With honors

B.A., UNC-Chapel Hill, 1980
Phi Beta Kappa

Jurisdictions Admitted to Practice
State of North Carolina, 1983
Federal Court – Western District of North Carolina, 1983

Professional & Bar Association Memberships
American Academy of Adoption Attorneys
Member Since: 1994

North Carolina Bar Association
Member Since: 1983

Christian Legal Society
Member Since: 1983

Mecklenburg County Bar
Member Since: 1983

Legal Specialties and Certifications
Business North Carolina, Legal Elite, 2010 – Family Law

Featured Cases and Matters
SDW 367 NC 386, 2014
Successfully argued adoption case before NC Supreme Court.
RTW COA 17-13, 2017
NC Court of Appeals upheld termination of rights for a private adoption.
EAD COA 16-1132, 2017
NC Court of Appeals upheld termination of rights for an agency adoption.
JC COA 348P11, 2011

Articles
Start to Finish – W. David Thurman// Bobby D. Mills, et al
National Business Institute, 2019
Introduction to Adoption Law – W. David Thurman
LawReview CLE, 2013
Adoption Law in North Carolina – W. David Thurman//Donna Davis
Professional Development Network, 2000

Non-Legal Activities
I grew up in the mountains of western North Carolina. I am married to my high school sweetheart, the former Mary Beth Styles, and we have three adult three children. I enjoy coaching soccer with refugee and underprivileged youth, and hiking and camping in the mountains.