Joe Kennedy continues to aggressively defend thousands of clients charged across a full range of crimes in Carteret County since leaving the District Attorney’s office for private practice in 2012. As a prosecutor, Joe was continuously exposed to the strategies and tactics of elders in the criminal defense bar while gaining valuable insight into the techniques, procedures, sources, and methods of seasoned members of state and local law enforcement agencies operating within Carteret County. During that time, Joe received concentrated training through the NC Department of Health and Human Services on the Intox EC/IR II (Intoximeter) and DWI Detection & Standardization Field Sobriety Testing as promulgated by the National Highway Transportation Administration (NHTSA). While working as a prosecutor, Joe also served on the adjunct faculty at Carteret Community College and taught Criminal and Constitutional Law. He currently serves on the College’s Board of Law and Technology. Joe received his BA in Journalism and Mass Communication from UNC Chapel Hill in 2000 while serving as Treasurer of the Upsilon Chapter of Kappa Alpha Order. He interned for (then) Congressman Richard Burr’s Washington, D.C. office, followed by work in Raleigh and Charlotte. Joe attended Samford University’s Cumberland School of Law and interned as a Civilian Summer Law Clerk at the Joint Law Center aboard Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point, where he developed an appreciation for the unique legal issues facing men and women in uniform stationed near the Crystal Coast. In 2006, he graduated in the top 20% of his class, and was admitted to practice by the North Carolina State Bar. Joe is a member of the Carteret County Bar, District 3B Bar, N.C. Bar Association and North Carolina Advocates for Justice. He concentrates strictly in Criminal Defense, DWI and Traffic Law in order to provide his clients the maximum amount of attention and resources for the best possible outcome. His free time is spent hunting, fishing and boating with his wife Natalie and dogs Boone and Beans.
Bonnie Dubier is a native of upstate New York who is a North Carolina State Bar Certified Senior Paralegal and Notary Public. She is our in-house Mediator and also serves as the Director of Operations. Bonnie received her Masters in Legal Studies in 2019 from Pepperdine Caruso School of Law, her Masters in Dispute Resolution from Pepperdine Law Straus Institute in 2020, and is an MBA Candidate at Pepperdine Graziadio Business School. She obtained her Bachelor of Arts Degree in Theater and minor in Film Production with a concentration in Screenwriting from the University of North Carolina at Wilmington in 2004. Prior to her legal career, Bonnie spent five years in Broadcast Television as a Senior Account Executive and Advertising Coordinator for ABC, FOX, and CBS affiliates, later serving as President of a boutique marketing firm. She joined Cummings and Kennedy Law Firm in May of 2017 while completing her post-baccalaureate degree in Paralegal Technology with Honors as a member of the National Society of Leadership and Success (Sigma Alpha Pi) and the National Honor Society at Carteret Community College. Bonnie performs mediations for domestic, contracts, and civil disputes as well as manages all of the firm’s marketing, creative development, advertising, technology issues, and integrations. She created and launched our internship program in the Spring of 2019 providing High School and College students with the opportunity to experience working in criminal law and learning under a curriculum and currently partners with Carteret County Schools and Carteret County Community College. Bonnie enjoys her free time writing scripts, creating video content, and traveling with her sons Austin and Noah, husband Jack, and her dogs Kappy and Kopper.
Coletta Lindow is a North Carolina State Bar Certified Paralegal who serves as our Office Manager and Notary Public. She is local to the area, having graduated from East Carteret High School in 2014. She received her Associates Degree in Paralegal Technology from Carteret Community College and now pursuing her Bachelors’ Degree in Criminology and Criminal Justice at UNC Pembroke. She joined Cummings and Kennedy in October of 2017 and leads our team with financial management and performs as the firm liaison with the Carteret County Courthouse. Coletta enjoys working and talking with new people, boating, hanging out at the beach, shopping and spending time with her dog Stout.
Frederick Horne is our Legal Assistant and Collegiate Intern Ambassador. He received his Bachelor’s Degree in Criminal Justice from East Carolina University in 2020, where he served as a Member of the Criminal Justice Society. He is local to the area, having graduated from West Carteret High School in 2016 where he played football. In his freetime, Fred enjoys working out, watching crime shows, and fishing.
Carteret Community College Paralegal Technology Program Class of 2021
Carteret Community College Paralegal Technology Program Class of 2020
NC State University Class of 2020
Carteret County School’s Student Internship Ambassador Class of 2021
