Biography

After spending the first 16 years of her career serving clients in the Raleigh area and Eastern North Carolina, Kristie returned to her Western North Carolina roots to open Hedrick Gardner’s Asheville office.

Kristie’s civil litigation practice focuses in the areas of motor vehicle negligence; trucking and transportation; wrongful death; premises liability; retail, restaurant and hospitality; construction litigation; and general tort liability matters. She has defended cases to verdict in jury trials as well as arbitration forums in various venues across the state. Recognized in the legal community as an attorney who is dedicated to her clients, Kristie takes pride in the quality of legal services she provides. She maintains a passion for developing her clients’ cases while taking as much time as necessary to explain complex matters in a way that is understandable to those not immersed in the legal world.

Kristie’s passion for the law began in Catawba County where she worked for a Hickory law firm of a family friend she admired from childhood while also working a second job in the restaurant industry to finance her education. During law school at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Kristie was a member of the Broun National Trial Team. Kristie continues her devotion to the education of future trial lawyers through mentorship and by volunteering to judge mock trial competitions for students from middle school age through law school. She also serves as a lecturer to both fellow attorneys and clients regarding continuing legal education topics.

When not practicing law, Kristie’s heart for serving others can be seen in her devotion to her family and service to her community. While in Raleigh, both through her church and the Public Service Committee of the Wake County Bar Association, Kristie focused on helping those in the homeless and housing challenged communities as well as pouring out her time, energy, and resources in various children’s ministries. As one who values and respects the importance of giving back, Kristie looks forward to serving Asheville and the surrounding communities in similar areas. When not serving her community, you will find Kristie spending time with her family, attempting to live out her faith, cheering on her Tar Heels, and enjoying life with her friends.

Kristie is an active member of the North Carolina State Bar, the North Carolina Association of Defense Attorneys, and the Buncombe County Bar Association.  She holds an AV peer review rating from Martindale-Hubbell.

Experience and Involvement

PROFESSIONAL AND CIVIC INVOLVEMENT:

  • North Carolina Association of Defense Attorneys
  • Defense Research Institute
  • Wake County Bar Association
Honors

HONORS: