Lama A. Sinno

Education.

Lama Sinno graduated from the University of North Carolina in Chapel Hill in 1995 with a Bachelor’s of Arts degree in Political Science. She went on to work as a bank branch manager before deciding to attend law school. She graduated from Campbell University’s Norman A. Wiggins School of Law in 2001 and was licensed to practice law in North Carolina that same year.  

Advocacy.

Lama has spent her 22 years as an attorney representing people from all walks of life. She has represented workers in their claims for workers compensation, social security and employment claims. She has appeared in front of the Industrial Commission numerous times, including the Full Commission for arguments on appeals.  She fights tirelessly for clients whose lives have been turned upside down due to physical injury and wage loss.   

She represents parents in abuse/ neglect/ dependency claims filed by the Department of Social Services.  It was in this arena that she earned her nickname of “the barracuda” from a presiding judge.  She has served as Guardian Ad Litem for individuals who lack capacity to make legal decisions.

One of her favorite areas of law continues to be  representing juveniles in delinquency claims. She is one of two attorneys recognized as juvenile defenders in Johnston county. She has a passion for the youth in her community and their success. Always asking for outcomes that teach juveniles instead of committing them to jail, she is a true believer that our youth deserve a second chance. 

Lama represents Defendants charged with committing crimes of all types, ranging from traffic tickets to murder.  She takes a special interest in and proudly represents court appointed clients.  She has been a contractor for NC Indigent Defense Services for over 20 years.  Lama believes that everyone is entitled to the best defense possible regardless of their financial circumstance.  She has been telling clients over the course of her career that she does the same work whether she is appointed by the court or privately retained.  Criminal Law has given her great insight into the struggles associated with substance abuse, mental illness and poverty. She regularly appears in District Court and Superior Court in Johnston County, North Carolina where she argues motions, picks a jury and tries cases.  

Service. 

Lama believes that to whom much is given, much is owed. She makes time to volunteer with various organizations in her community, including Junior Women's League of Smithfield, My Kids Club, and the Juvenile Crime Prevention Committee.  She also supports and volunteers for other community activities including school supply giveaways, fundraising for various charities and assisting in a local 5k race to benefit My Kids Club, an after school program and summer camp for disadvantaged youth in Johnston County. 

Family.

Lama lives in Clayton, NC with her husband, Antoan Whidbee, who is also a practicing attorney, and her tween daughter.  She has parents, both in their 80’s, that are still teaching her life lessons. They reside in Charlotte, as does her brother, sister, brother in law and five nieces and nephews. They are all UNC fans. She is a soccer mom and can be found most weekends cheering on the sideline of a soccer field somewhere in the State. She spends her free time running with a local run club and will tell anybody who will listen how running can change their life. Most recently, in April 2023, she earned the title of “breast cancer survivor.”   

Bar Admissions.

North Carolina