At Surratt and Thompson, PLLC, we work with you to provide the representation that you deserve while bringing a human touch to the legal process. We care about forming a personal relationship with all of our clients here in Forsyth County. That’s why we want you to get to know us as people, not just attorneys. We want to introduce you to each of our attorneys individually.
Meet AJ!
What brought you to Surratt and Thompson, PLLC?
Bryan Thompson was my adjunct legal writing professor at Wake Forest. During the semester I talked extensively with Bryan, not only about my coursework, but also about his practice. I quickly knew that he and I thought a lot alike and valued the same things. At the conclusion of the semester, I told him I wanted to work at Surratt and Thompson, PLLC; the rest is history!
What is, in your opinion, the most important quality in a person?
Loyalty.
What has been the most rewarding part of work at Surratt and Thompson, PLLC?
The people! Not only clients, but my colleagues as well. I have the privilege of working with some outstanding people each and every day. We truly are a family that works together for our clients. We each have our own areas of expertise and collaborate to come up with the best solutions possible for our clients. Using this collaborative knowledge I work with an extremely diverse group of individuals and business on new challenging issues. There is nothing better than watching that hard work pay off for my clients!
What are you most passionate about professionally?
Letting clients take a deep breath. Let’s be honest, most people call their lawyer when the weight of the world is coming down on them; I want to be the one to take that weight off their shoulders.
What’s the greatest piece of advice you’ve been given?
“Go work somewhere else.”
After my first summer interning with Surratt and Thompson, PLLC, I was advised to find other employment for my second summer of law school. I had an excellent first summer and was confused by the suggestion, but thought I should give it a shot. I was told I needed to see what a “big firm” was like before I thought about joining a smaller practice. After spending a summer with a large international law firm, I realized this is where I belong. That summer was challenging, engaging and extremely rewarding. There were two problems; I wasn’t practicing the type of law I wanted to practice and I wasn’t working for the clients I wanted to work for.
What’s the coolest thing you’re working on or have done in the past six months?
Last August my wife and I hiked the Inca Trail to Machu Picchu. We hiked over 26 miles in four days, sleeping on the trail and reaching elevations of nearly 14,000 feet Neither of us had ever done anything like this and it was absolutely breathtaking!
What is your favorite quote?
“You miss 100 percent of the shots you don’t take” – Wayne Gretzky
Where did you grow up and why aren’t you there now?
Key West, Florida. I loved growing up in Key West, but Winston-Salem quickly made its mark on my wife and I. Winston-Salem is home now.
What makes you laugh the most?
My wife. We are absolutely ridiculous most of the time. We joke around, embarrass ourselves and have no filter around each other. It doesn’t matter how bad of a day I have had, or what has gone wrong, she always know how to make me laugh.
What’s one thing you can’t live without?
My family.
FAVORITES
Movie
Wedding Crashers
Book
The Innocent Man
Place to be or visit
New York
TV show
Friends
Team/sport
Florida State Seminoles, football
Dessert
Ice Cream
Place to eat locally
George’s Grecian Corner
Place to eat elsewhere
Chico’s Cantina – Local Mexican Restaurant in Key West