"I could not ask for a better vocation than helping businesses avoid legal difficulties and working with them when things go wrong."

--Michelle Rippon

Michelle Rippon began her legal career as a clerk for Harry C. Martin at the North Carolina Court of Appeals and then as a research assistant for Louis Meyer at the North Carolina Supreme Court where she eventually became the Director of Research for that Court. She subsequently served as Executive Director of the Governor's Crime Commission. She has served as the Chair of the General Practice Section of the North Carolina Bar Association and as a member of the Board of Governors.  She has also served on the editorial board of the North Carolina State Bar Journal and authored numerous articles on State and Federal Court judges for that publication. Michelle also serves as a certified mediator for alternative dispute resolution. Michelle has practiced in the areas of personal injury litigation and employment law, including federal discrimination cases, as well as estate litigation and appellate practice. She joined the Constangy Law firm in January 2010. 

Awards & Recognition

• AV® Peer Review Rated by Martindale-Hubbell 

Professional Activities/Associations

• 28th Judicial District Bar
• American Bar Association
• Asheville Area Chamber of Commerce, Board Member
• Chief Justice's Commission on Professionalism, 2006-2009
• Certified Mediator
• North Carolina Bar Association, Board of Governors, 1995-1998; Dispute Resolution Section Council, 2008-present; General Practice Section, 1981-1995, Chair, 1993
• University of North Carolina - Asheville, Adjunct Professor, Business Management

Civic/Charitable Activities/Associations

• Asheville Buncombe Christian Community Ministry, Chair Personnel Committee
• Asheville Lyric Opera
• Paws with a Purpose
• St. Mary's Episcopal Church, Bell Ringer, Asheville NC

Other Personal Background Information and Interests

• Michelle has inherited a love for all types of mystery novels from her mother who wrote mysteries for the Doubleday Crime Club. She loves to travel to Europe and sail in the Caribbean. She is also the owner of two English Springer Spaniels, Kensington and Dorchester, who are certified therapy dogs. Dorchester participates in a first grade reading program and Kensignton visits Hospice. Michelle is married to Larry Farr, an electrical engineer with Eaton Corporation for the past 45 years.