ABOUT OUR ATTORNEYS

Carl M. Short, Jr., Partner

cshort@woodsonlawyers.com

Carl M. “Chip” Short, Jr., was born in High Point, N.C., and graduated from East Rowan High School. He attended the University of North Carolina Chapel Hill as a Whitaker Scholar and graduated from the University of North Carolina School of Law in 1976. Chip has been a partner with The Woodson Law Firm since 1985. Chip’s focus areas include real estate, wills and estates, corporate law and municipal law. He has served two terms as president of the Rowan County Bar Association and is a member of the Real Property and Elder Law Sections of the North Carolina Bar Associations. Mr. Short is serving in his 15th year as a trustee for Rowan-Cabarrus Community College and is serving as president of the Rowan County Library Foundation and as a director of the Rowan County Chamber of Commerce, the Waterworks Visual Arts Center and the National Sportscasters and Sportswriters Association. He has served as president and director of the Salisbury Rotary Club, as chair of the North Carolina State Library Commission, as a director of OmniBank and Security Capital Bank, and on the boards of the United Way, United Arts Council and Piedmont Players. Chip is married to Luanne Buddin Short and they attend St. Luke’s Episcopal Church, where he served as senior warden and as a trustee of Saint Luke’s Foundation. 

Andrew J. Abramson, Partner

andy@woodsonlawyers.com

(se habla español)

Andy joined The Woodson Law Firm in 2005 and became a partner in 2007. Andy started his legal career in Florida upon admission to the Florida Bar in 1997. He attended college in his hometown at the University of Miami, graduating in 1993 and then went on to graduate cum laude from the Shepherd Broad Law Center at Nova Southeastern University in Ft. Lauderdale. While in law school, Andy was a member and editor of the Nova Law Review. Today, Andy’s primary professional focuses are civil litigation and real property. Within the area of civil litigation, Andy’s concentrations include personal injury, property litigation and commercial litigation. Andy is proficient in Spanish and therefore is able to assist Spanish-speaking clients with their legal needs. He is past president of the Rowan County Bar Association. Andy is happily married to wife Meredith and has two daughters, Macy and Miles. In addition to spending time with his family, Andy is a big supporter of “The U,” an avid golfer and enjoys music.

S. Edward Parrott, Of Counsel

separrott@woodsonlawyers.com

Ed Parrott was born and raised in Lexington, N.C., and married his wife, Marcia, in 1973. While enrolled at the University of North Carolina Chapel Hill, during college and law school, he served in the United States Naval Reserve. He received his bachelor's degree in business administration from UNC-Chapel Hill and was admitted to Phi Beta Kappa. Upon his graduation from UNC Law School and his admission to the bar in 1978, Ed and his family moved to Salisbury. Ed has practiced continuously in Salisbury since then, with his practice emphasis being in the areas of real estate, wills and estates. Ed is a past president of the Rowan County Bar Association. Additionally, Ed has served on the boards of the Rowan United Way, Salisbury Kiwanis Club and Country Club of Salisbury. He has been a member of First Presbyterian Church since moving to Salisbury. Ed and Marcia have three adult children, Ashley, Stephen and Daniel, as well as four grandchildren and two spoiled terrier dogs. Their greatest joys are their time spent together and with family. Ed is also an avid golfer, jogger and reader in his free time. 

F. Rivers Lawther, Jr., Of Counsel

rlawther@woodsonlawyers.com

Rivers grew up in Wilmington, N.C. He graduated from the University of North Carolina Chapel Hill in 1964. Upon graduation, he joined the United States Air Force, serving for five years and achieving the rank of Captain. He then returned to the University of North Carolina Law School, graduating in June of 1972. He joined the firm in September of 1972. He has been involved in the Salisbury community having served as president of the Rowan County Bar Association, president of the Salisbury-Rowan Symphony, board of directors of Rowan County Hospice and junior warden at St. Luke’s Episcopal Church. He currently is a member of the board of directors of the Proctor Foundation. He also served as past attorney for the city of Salisbury and the town of Spencer. Rivers has extensive experience in the areas of municipal, estate, corporate and real estate law. He is married to his wife, Barbara, and has two adult children. He is an enthusiastic golfer. 

Donald D. Sayers

Don was originally from Greenville, S.C. Don completed his undergraduate studies at the University of North Carolina Chapel Hill in 1965 and then went on to attend the University of North Carolina Chapel Hill Law School. Upon his graduation from law school in 1968, he served as a Clerk for the U.S. District Court Judge Algernon Butler of the Eastern District of North Carolina. Don was also a Federal Magistrate when the U.S. District Court was located in Salisbury, N.C. Joining the firm in 1969, Don has extensive experience in many areas of law including, banking law, education and municipal law, real estate and property law and courtroom litigation. Don represented banks, educational institutions, local municipal boards and foundations, along with private individuals in need of legal assistance. He was the past president of the Historic Salisbury Foundation, Rotary Club, Kiwanis Club and YMCA. Don was on the board of directors for the UNC Law School Alumni Association and Margaret C. Woodson Foundation and was an elder at the First Presbyterian Church of Salisbury. Don was married to wife Carol and had two children and two grandchildren. In his spare time, Don enjoyed both surf fishing and fly-fishing. Don retired from active practice in January, 2019. He will be sadly missed. It is with honor that we remember him.  1943-2021.