Attorneys
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Nathan Zaleski is the founding and managing attorney of Sterling Law and brings over 20 years of legal experience as a practicing real estate attorney.
Nathan manages an active real estate closing practice and has conducted and overseen many thousands of real estate transactions, including residential, commercial, new construction, land development, land acquisitions, and out sales, trustee sales, foreclosures, execution sales, refinances, construction loans, conservation transactions, and many more.
While Nathan has a background as a real property litigator, his practice now focuses exclusively on real estate closings and related matters. He further dedicates his time to conservation transactions in collaboration with Green Fence Conservation Trust, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization.
Nathan is licensed by the North Carolina Real Estate Commission as a real estate instructor. He is an active instructor and enjoys teaching pre-licensing, post-licensing, and continuing education courses to real estate professionals across North Carolina.
Nathan is also involved with the Raleigh Regional Association of Realtors and works on legislative, regulatory, and political issues affecting the real estate industry at both the local and state level. He is also a 2017 graduate of the Triangle REALTORS® Leadership Academy.
Nathan is a proud contributor to RPAC, which advocates for home ownership, property rights, and other real estate interests.
Education
- Wake Forest University School of Law (Juris Doctor)
- University of Mary Washington (Bachelor of Science)
Bar Admissions
- North Carolina State Bar
- North Carolina Bar Association, Litigation Section
- North Carolina Bar Association, Real Estate Section
- Wake County Bar Association
- Tenth Judicial District Bar
- Virginia State Bar
- District of Columbia Bar
- Federal Courts
- United States Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit
- United States District Court for the Eastern District of North Carolina
- United States Bankruptcy Court for the Eastern District of North Carolina
- United States District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia
- United States Bankruptcy Court for the Eastern District of Virginia
Professional Associations/Other Licenses
- North Carolina Real Estate Commission
- Licensed Real Estate Broker (Not Engaged in Brokerage)
- Licensed Real Estate Instructor
- Raleigh Regional Association of Realtors
- Government Affairs Committee
Pro Bono Activities
- Green Fence Conservation Trust: Nathan completes conservation transactions protecting land and enhancing environmental quality in North Carolina.
Representative Cases
While Nathan’s practice is now dedicated to real estate closings, he has an extensive real estate and commercial litigation background:
- First American Title Ins. Co. v. Western Sur. Co., 722 S.E.2d 637 (2012). Obtained recovery against a surety for a full bond amount in a title insurance defalcation case when prior similar claims had been dismissed by other courts.
- Earl Industries v. Integrity Staffing Services, 2:12cv91 (E.D. Va 2012). Obtained a full dismissal of $20 million indemnity action for personal injuries arising from carbon monoxide exposure in ballast tanks of a Navy vessel.
- Commonwealth of Virginia v. Tug Robert Burton, 2:11cv601 (E.D. Va 2012). Defended a $5.6 million claim in case of collision liability and obtained a favorable settlement.
- In the Matter of McAllister Towing, 2:10cv595, WL 1438770 (E.D. Va 2012). Tried as member of three-attorney trial team $4.5 million suit brought by U.S. Department of Justice and prevailed on limitation of liability defense.
- Sugarloaf v. Tournament Players Club, 10-A-04436-4, Gwinnett County Superior Court, Georgia. Prosecuted a case against PGA regarding a riparian dispute affecting golf course irrigation and obtained a favorable settlement.
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David, a partner at Sterling Law, manages the Clayton office handling closings in Johnston County and more broadly across the State of North Carolina. David is originally from Morehead City, North Carolina, and started his legal career practicing in Eastern North Carolina. He brings over 15 years of North Carolina real estate law and litigation experience and handles all types of closings up to the most complex level. In addition to his legal experience, David has been licensed as an instructor by the North Carolina Real Estate Commission.
While a skillful litigator, David has narrowed his focus to strictly handling residential and commercial real estate transactions in order to provide the best experience possible for his clients. Working with the team at Sterling Law, David makes it his mission to provide exceptional legal services to buyers, sellers, realtors, and lenders in all aspects of the closing experience.
When it comes to the purchase and sale of real estate, David understands that there are many levels of experience involved and each transaction is different. David is ready to help ease the anxiety of first-time home buyers and is a great partner for experienced real estate investors.
He approaches each closing with the same goal in mind – to place the client at ease, minimize any risks, and ensure a smooth process for all involved.
Education
- University of North Carolina – Chapel Hill (Juris Doctor)
- North Carolina State University (Bachelor of Science)
Bar Admissions
- North Carolina State Bar
- North Carolina Bar Association, Real Estate Section
- Eighth Judicial District Bar Association
- United States District Court for the Eastern District of North Carolina
Professional Associations/Other Licenses
- North Carolina Real Estate Commission
- Licensed Real Estate Broker
- Licensed Real Estate Instructor
- Raleigh Mortgage Bankers Association
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Abbi is the managing attorney for the Sterling Law Cary Branch. She is a Cary, North Carolina native and has been working in the real estate industry since 2015, handling all facets of the closing process.
Abbi’s experiences include working with buyers, sellers, investors, lenders, and builders. She understands the closing process can be overwhelming and aims to simplify it and make it stress-free. She is customer-centric, knowledgeable, and responsive.
In Abbi’s free time, she is active in the community. Presently, she serves on the Board for the Women of the Triangle Hiking Club and teaches interval training/HIIT classes at the Morrisville Fitness and Aquatic Center and the Western Wake YMCA. Abbi enjoys the outdoors, traveling, and paddle boarding.
Education
- North Carolina Central University School of Law (Juris Doctor, Cum Laude)
- Appalachian State University (Bachelor of Science, Cum Laude)
Bar Admissions
- North Carolina State Bar
- South Carolina State Bar
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Lindsay Teasley is the managing attorney for the Sterling Law Raleigh Branch. She has been practicing real estate law since 2015 and has handled all aspects of the closing transaction. Lindsay brings a wealth of closing knowledge having overseen 7,000+ closings. She has an in-depth understanding of the closing process and seeks to guide clients seamlessly through each transaction so that they feel comfortable, confident, and knowledgeable.
Lindsay also brings a commercial skill set to the Sterling Law team, as she spent part of her career focused exclusively on commercial real estate and honing her title searching skills. She has experience with complex title searches and working through title-related issues.
In her free time, Lindsay enjoys spending time with her husband and two young daughters. She also enjoys live music, playing tennis, and working out at Orangetheory.
Education
- Campbell University School of Law (Juris Doctor)
- East Carolina University (Bachelor of Business Administration and Bachelor of Science in Merchandising, Magna Cum Laude)
Bar Admissions
- North Carolina State Bar
Chad Thornton, serving as a title attorney at Sterling Law, brings over 25 years of experience in real estate law to the practice. Originally hailing from Clinton, North Carolina, Chad has called the Triangle area home for more than 30 years.
Chad's expertise encompasses a wide range of real estate matters, including intricate title searches and resolving complex title and other issues encountered during the closing process. His early years in the field involved extensive hands-on work in courthouses across North Carolina, honing his skills in the county deed vaults and Clerk of Court offices before the advent of widespread online records. He has also handled all aspects of the foreclosure process. Beyond real estate law, Chad has in-depth experience in the areas of probate and estate planning.
In his leisure time, Chad spends time with his son and daughter. He finds relaxation in travel, literature, board games, and an unwavering support for his beloved Tar Heels in all sporting events.
Education
- University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill School of Law (Juris Doctor)
- University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill (Bachelor of Science in Business Administration)
Bar Admissions
- North Carolina State Bar
- United States Bankruptcy Court for the Eastern District of North Carolina
- United States Bankruptcy Court for the Middle District of North Carolina
- United States Bankruptcy Court for the Western District of North Carolina
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Outside of the office, Jamison enjoys cheering on the Tar Heels in basketball and football, working on cars, and spending time outdoors with his dog, Mason.
Education
- University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill School of Law (Juris Doctor, with Honors)
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Symposium Editor, North Carolina Law Review, Vol. 99
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- University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill (Bachelor of Arts, with Distinction)
Bar Admissions
- North Carolina State Bar
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Tenth Judicial District Bar
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Daniela Benton is a Closing Attorney at the Sterling Law Cary Branch since 2024. Prior to her arrival at Sterling Law, Daniela worked over six years in immigration law. A first-generation Hispanic American, born to Ecuadorian parents, she is fluent in English and Spanish, allowing her to effectively serve a diverse clientele.
She is committed to delivering precise and effective legal services, ensuring a smooth closing process for all parties involved. Her bilingual abilities and cross-cultural insights have proven invaluable in navigating complex legal landscapes and fostering strong client relationships.
Outside of her professional life, Daniela enjoys spending quality time with her husband, daughter, and son. In her leisure time, she is passionate about powerlifting and has competed in several local meets, showcasing her commitment to strength and discipline in all aspects of her life.
Education
- North Carolina Central University School of Law (Juris Doctor)
- University of North Carolina at Greensboro (Bachelor of Arts, Political Science)
Bar Admissions
- North Carolina State Bar
- Tenth Judicial District Bar
Cara Gibbons is the managing attorney for the Sterling Law Cary Branch. Since 2011, she has sustained a high-volume residential real estate practice and thrives on building relationships and providing informative counsel to her clients, brokers, and lenders. Cara coined real estate law as “happy law” and makes sure her closings are just that. She’ll make you laugh, feel like you have a good grasp on the transaction, and when it’s over, you’ll walk away with keys in your hand.
Cara was born just outside of Pittsburgh, PA. She earned her bachelor’s degree in political science and sociology from West Virginia University in 2008 and her Juris Doctorate and Certificate in Alternative Dispute Resolution from North Carolina Central University School of Law in 2011.
Cara is an avid sports fan and no conversation with her can begin or end without her talking about WVU. Cara lives in Fuquay-Varina and when not working, she enjoys spending time with her husband (Michael) and two kids (Gwen and Tommy), playing softball, and coaching her daughter’s cheerleading squad and son's soccer team.
Education
- North Carolina Central University School of Law (Juris Doctor)
- West Virginia University (Bachelor in Political Science and Sociology)
Bar Admissions
- North Carolina State Bar