At Martine Law, our North Carolina legal team is committed to helping individuals and families overcome tough legal challenges. We’re driven by a passion for guiding our clients toward a better future. Whether you’re facing criminal charges or navigating a family law dispute, you can count on our attorneys in North Carolina to fight relentlessly for your rights and work toward the best possible resolution for your case.
About Martine Law
Protecting Good People During Hard Times
Available 24/7 – Bilingual Staff
“I got into a lot of trouble a few years back. Xavier Martine was fantastic, both inside the courtroom and out. He kept me out of jail and allowed me a path to get my life back on track.”
Tyler Z.
The Martine Law Team
Fighting To Protect Your Future, Every Step of the Way!
At Martine Law, our clients are people, not just case numbers. We work hard to make sure each and every client knows that we will not rest until we help them reach a just resolution.
Our core values are:
- Trustworthiness
- Honesty
- Ethics
- Respect
- Hard work
- Excellence
- Trustworthiness
- Honesty
- Ethics
- Respect
- Hard work
- Excellence
Xavier Martine
Founding Partner of National Law Firm "Martine Law". Licensed in Minnesota
With a diverse background and deep personal experience, Xavier brings a unique perspective to his law practice that many lawyers can’t match. Growing up in St. Paul and serving as a nuclear engineer in the Navy, he learned responsibility and excellence. After graduating magna cum laude from Mitchell Hamline School of Law, where he led the Latino Law Student Association, Xavier founded a law firm in 2019 dedicated to justice and equality. His firm provides exceptional service to all clients, fighting tirelessly to protect their rights. Xavier’s personal legal challenges and commitment to family drive his advocacy in criminal defense and family law, ensuring every client receives compassionate and dedicated representation.
With over 40 years of distinguished legal experience, former District Court Judge Alan Pendleton serves as “Of Counsel” and directs its Mentorship Program. In this role, he provides specialized expertise, strategic guidance, authoritative second opinions, and mentorship to attorneys within the firm. Although not actively engaged in the representation of clients, he remains a valuable resource on complex legal matters.
Alan Pendleton
National Of Counsel, Former Minnesota Judge Alan Pendleton
Gabrielle James
ATTORNEY
Gabrielle brings both sharp legal skills and a deep commitment to client advocacy to Martine Law. A proud double Tar Heel, Gabrielle attended UNC Chapel Hill for both her Undergraduate studies and Law School.
Her passion has always been helping individuals navigate life’s most challenging moments. At UNC Law, she led the Pro Bono Program’s Special Trips Board, organizing legal clinics across North Carolina that provided underserved communities with access to wills, healthcare directives, family law, and landlord-tenant services. Now, at Martine Law, Gabrielle channels her experience and passion into family and criminal law, where she is committed to providing compassionate, personalized representation.
Clients often describe Ariana as compassionate, empathetic, and fiercely dedicated—qualities she brings to every case she handles. She believes that effective advocacy requires both strong legal skill and a deep understanding of each client’s story. Ariana ensures her clients feel heard, respected, and supported from start to finish. Ariana’s passion for family law stems from her own experiences growing up in a divorced household, where she learned firsthand that even in difficult times, families can find stability and happiness again.
A graduate of the University of Tennessee, Knoxville, and Lincoln Memorial University Duncan School of Law, Ariana earned a bar score high enough to practice in any jurisdiction.
Ariana Wright
ATTORNEY
Whitney Kirby
CRIMINAL DEFENSE ATTORNEY
Whitney’s path to criminal law was shaped by experience on both sides of the courtroom. While in law school, she initially explored family law but quickly realized it was not the right fit for her. Drawn instead to the intensity and complexity of criminal law, she chose to pursue that path and began her career as a prosecutor.
In that role, she saw firsthand the discretion prosecutors hold and the responsibility that comes with it. While she valued the ability to prevent injustice where she could, she also recognized the limits of that position.
That realization led her to transition to criminal defense, where she could advocate for individuals and fight for them in a personal and meaningful way. Whitney is known for her strong convictions, practical insight, and unwavering commitment to her clients.
Cynthia Smith is a criminal defense attorney passionate about helping people navigate the legal system and ensuring clients receive the best possible representation.
Drawn to criminal law during undergraduate visits to North Carolina prisons and mental health facilities, Cynthia approaches every case with dedication, empathy, and a focus on achieving meaningful outcomes for her clients. She is known for listening carefully, advocating fiercely, and making clients feel heard and supported. Cynthia began her career as an Assistant District Attorney in Gaston County, where she gained extensive experience prosecuting criminal cases. She later transitioned to solo practice, focusing on criminal defense, DSS parent representation, domestic violence survivor advocacy, and landlord-tenant law. She has also volunteered with Hope United, assisting domestic violence survivors. Cynthia is committed to exploring every option for her clients and helping them navigate complex legal challenges with confidence.
Outside of work, Cynthia enjoys watching cooking shows and spending time with her three dogs: two French Bulldogs and a Chihuahua. Her guiding philosophy comes from Alexander Hamilton: “I think the first duty of society is justice.”
Cynthia Smith
ATTORNEY
Karsen Wright
CRIMINAL DEFENSE ATTORNEY
Karsen’s path to the legal field was shaped by her early passion for communication, advocacy, and helping others. Before pursuing law, she spent years teaching, which strengthened her ability to connect with people and guide them through complex situations. Inspired by her upbringing and a desire to make a broader impact, she transitioned into law with a focus on criminal defense. Karsen is known for her persuasive nature, strong courtroom presence, and commitment to being a reliable and supportive advocate for her clients. She approaches each case with the mindset that there is always something she can do to help.
Jonathan’s path to the legal profession was driven by a longstanding desire to help people and make a meaningful difference in their lives. Although becoming an attorney was a goal he had since childhood, he first built a successful career in the healthcare industry before deciding to pursue law later in life. While working full time, he attended law school and ultimately made the transition into legal practice, bringing with him a unique perspective shaped by years of professional and personal experience. Jonathan has practiced immigration law in both nonprofit and private settings and now focuses on family law and immigration matters, helping clients through complex legal issues with compassion and care.
Jonathan Nobles
CRIMINAL DEFENSE ATTORNEY
Autumn Amick
Director of Case Operations
As Director of Case Operations, Autumn brings more than 15 years of legal industry experience in paralegal and legal operations management. She has overseen case management, team development, operational processes, and client service across California, Minnesota, North Carolina, New Jersey, and Texas. Since joining the firm four years ago, Autumn has helped strengthen case operations by improving workflows, implementing efficient processes, and supporting attorneys and staff in delivering exceptional client service. She oversees case operations, staff management, and strategic initiatives that drive the firm’s continued growth and success.
Kaye Avila
Sr. Legal Operations Manager Criminal
Kaye plays a key role in keeping the Case Management department running efficiently and effectively. She works closely with leadership to oversee workflows, support team performance, and ensure cases move forward smoothly. Passionate about operational excellence, Kaye enjoys developing processes, coaching team members, and creating systems that improve both client service and team success. Her commitment to organization, accountability, and continuous improvement helps drive positive outcomes across the department.
Nathan Babb
Director of Client Engagement
Nathan Babb is passionate about helping people navigate the initial stages of engaging a law firm. As our Director of Client Engagement, Nathan is known for his compassionate approach and his ability to connect with clients and provide personalized attention to each case. Nathan is a native Texan, raised in Houston, and holds a Business Marketing Degree with a minor in Psychology from Texas Tech University. This degree has equipped him with a deep understanding of human behavior, and understanding client goals.
Nestor Salvador
Director of Client Engagement
Nestor Salvador is a Director of Client Engagement at Martine Law. Nestor was born and raised in Paraguay. He went to high school in Fridley, Minnesota and college at Metro State University in the Twin Cities. He has a master’s degree in cinema from the University of Barcelona, Spain. Nestor works with clients on the day-to-day operations of their cases. He is very passionate about helping people and is always looking for opportunities to serve.
Eliana Iriarte
Spanish Legal Assistant
Eliana is a dedicated and passionate legal assistant who helps with family and criminal cases. Born and raised in Paraguay, she has a unique cultural perspective and a deep passion for assisting the Spanish-speaking community in Minnesota. For Spanish-speaking clients, Eliana is often the first point of contact, providing support from the beginning of the case to its resolution. Eliana has studied Spanish-English Translation, so she ensures that every client feels heard and understood.
Ricardo Montanía
Legal Assistant
Ricardo helps clients understand their next steps and coordinates with courts, probation officers, and other agencies. He makes sure both attorneys and clients have everything they need for their cases to move forward smoothly. He believes it’s important to provide clear, respectful, and compassionate communication, making clients feel heard, understood, and supported. Outside of work, Ricardo enjoys practicing Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, which has instilled in him deep values of discipline, patience, and resilience.
How We Can Help
Our Criminal Defense Services in NC
With years of experience defending clients across North Carolina, our Charlotte-based criminal defense team is prepared to handle a wide range of charges. From traffic violations and misdemeanor theft to domestic violence and felony assault, we provide aggressive representation backed by compassionate support.
When you're facing criminal charges, it can feel like the odds are stacked against you. At Martine Law, we stand by your side and fight for your rights, every step of the way.
Our Family Law Services
Our Charlotte-based family law team is here to guide you through some of life’s most personal legal challenges. We understand the emotional weight and legal complexity of family law matters, from divorce and custody to support and property division. With a commitment to personalized and compassionate representation, we’ll help you move forward with confidence, toward a stronger future.