CARTERET COUNTY, NC (September 19, 2023) – Claud R. (Rob) Wheatly, III, a highly accomplished attorney and a third-generation lawyer in Carteret County’s oldest law firm, has been honored with induction into the prestigious North Carolina Bar Association’s Hall of Fame Class of 2023. Following in the footsteps of his father, Claud R. Wheatly, Jr., who was honored in the charter class of 1989, Rob’s remarkable legal career and outstanding service to his community have earned him this distinction. The Wheatly Law Group, established by Claud R. Wheatly, Sr. in 1908 in Beaufort, has a storied history of providing legal services to individuals in need of an experienced attorney.
For over five decades, Wheatly has been a pillar of the legal profession in Eastern North Carolina. As a lifelong resident of Beaufort, he has been deeply involved in the community and has served as County Attorney since 1996, with previous tenure as the Beaufort Town Attorney. Wheatly’s dedication and commitment to his clients and community have been widely recognized, including tributes from Carteret County and on the floor of the U.S. House of Representatives.
Wheatly’s legal expertise spans a wide range of practice areas, including real property, estate planning, business corporate matters, environmental law, and civil trial practice in State and Federal Courts. Throughout his career, Wheatly has handled cases encompassing various areas of law, from Admiralty to Zoning, with a focus on delivering exceptional representation and achieving favorable outcomes for his clients. He holds the record for the highest civil jury verdict in the history of Carteret County, further exemplifying his exceptional legal skills and commitment to achieving justice.
Wheatly graduated from Beaufort High School in 1965, then attended The Citadel, Military College of South Carolina, earning his degree in 1969. He subsequently obtained his law degree from the University of South Carolina School of Law in 1972. Before embarking on his legal career, Wheatly served in the U.S. Army, achieving the rank of captain and receiving an honorable discharge.
A formal ceremony was held last week in Waynesville, NC to commemorate Wheatly’s induction into the North Carolina Bar Association’s Hall of Fame. Additionally, the Carteret County Board of Commissioners adopted a resolution honoring Wheatly during their Monday night meeting.
For more information about the induction ceremony or Wheatly’s achievements, please visit www.ncbar.org.
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