About
John J. (Jody) Carpenter is a highly respected partner and co-chair of the Commercial and Real Estate Transaction Service Group. He brings more than 40 years of legal experience to clients throughout North Carolina. His practice spans various complex matters, including commercial real estate, tax and estate planning, business law, asset protection, and mergers and acquisitions.
Jody earned his Juris Doctor cum laude from Wake Forest School of Law and is admitted to the North Carolina Bar. Throughout his career, he has built a reputation for his deep legal insight, practical problem-solving, and multidisciplinary approach to client matters. He works with individuals, family offices, developers, and businesses to help them structure transactions and manage assets tax-efficiently and strategically.
Jody’s areas of focus include real estate acquisitions and dispositions, development, Section 1031 like-kind exchanges, reverse exchanges, joint ventures, and financing transactions. He also handles partnership tax planning, IRS audits, and appeals, offering proactive solutions for compliance and defense in tax controversies.
In the estate and trust arena, Jody advises clients on estate planning, probate and fiduciary administration, charitable giving, and generational wealth transfers. He routinely assists with trust formation, fiduciary services, and asset protection strategies to preserve family legacies and support long-term planning goals.
Known for his ability to simplify highly technical matters, John J. (Jody) Carpenter provides clients with clear, actionable advice that aligns with their personal and business priorities. His integrated legal approach and decades of proven experience make him a trusted advisor for clients seeking to protect assets, manage risk, and navigate sophisticated legal transactions. John continues to deliver exceptional legal guidance with integrity and results.
Law Office Affiliations
- Partner, Culp Elliott & Carpenter P.L.L.C.
Licensed State
Education
- Wake Forest University School of Law
Juris Doctor (JD) - Wake Forest University
BS in Accounting
Awards & Badges

- Contracts & Agreements
- Franchise, Dealership & Partnership
- Limited Liability Company (LLC)
- Mergers & Acquisitions
- Tax
- Venture Capital
- Power of Attorney
- Probate
- Trusts
- Wills & Living Wills
- Land Use & Zoning
- Landlord & Tenant




