Joseph Blount Cheshire V

Joseph Blount Cheshire V is a North Carolina attorney and a senior partner at Cheshire Parker Schneider & Abrams, PLLC, with a long career in criminal defense law, white-collar matters, civil rights, professional licensing, and appellate advocacy. He has handled cases across numerous states, federal circuits, administrative agencies, and North Carolina counties. His work includes complex conspiracy cases, political corruption matters, first-degree murder defenses, government investigations, and representation of professionals and public figures facing serious legal and reputational consequences in demanding proceedings.

Joseph earned his J.D. from Wake Forest University in 1973, where he served as founding Chief Justice of the moot court program. He earned his A.B. in History from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. He was licensed in North Carolina in 1973. His early practice included civil defense work before he developed a criminal law practice and later founded his own firm in 1978.

Joseph has led major criminal and civil rights matters involving wrongful convictions, death-row exonerations, asset forfeiture, and public corruption. He served as lead counsel for Greg Taylor, who was declared innocent after serving 16 years for murder, and led the defense of the Duke Lacrosse players. He has also handled appeals in North Carolina appellate courts, federal circuit courts, and the Supreme Court of the United States during his career.

Joseph Blount Cheshire V has received recognition for criminal defense and advocacy. He was named North Carolina’s top lawyer by Super Lawyers for six consecutive years and has been listed in Best Lawyers in America since its inception. He is a Fellow of the American College of Trial Lawyers and the American Board of Criminal Lawyers. His honors include the Order of the Long Leaf Pine and Walter Clark Award.

Law Office Affiliations

• Senior Partner, Cheshire Parker Schneider & Abrams, PLLC
• Member, North Carolina Bar Association, Criminal Justice Section
• Fellow, American Board of Criminal Lawyers
• Fellow, American College of Trial Lawyers
• Former President, North Carolina Advocates for Justice

Licensed State

• North Carolina

Education

• Wake Forest University
  Juris Doctor (JD)
• University of North Carolina
  AB in History

Awards & Badges