Campbell Law welcomes four new Board of Visitors members

RALEIGH - Campbell Law School is welcoming four new members to its Board of Visitors this fall: Shelby Benton '85, Christy Dunn '19, Taylor Scruggs-Smith '18 and Tim Welborn '94. Each brings a distinct professional background, a commitment to the legal profession and a connection to the law school that will help support the school's continued growth.

The Board of Visitors plays an important role in the life of Campbell Law, working alongside the Dean, faculty and school leadership to evaluate strategic priorities, explore new initiatives and strengthen relationships throughout the legal, business and nonprofit communities. Members bring their professional experience and perspectives to conversations about the school's future and the opportunities available to its students.

The addition of Benton, Dunn, Scruggs-Smith and Welborn reflects the strong network of alumni and legal professionals who continue to invest in Campbell Law and its mission of preparing the next generation of lawyers, said Dean J. Rich Leonard.

As Campbell Law welcomes its newest members, the school also extends its sincere appreciation to Ben Cochran '02, Charles "Ches" McDowell and Destiney Parker-Thompson '20 for their recent service on the Board of Visitors.

Their time, experience and contributions have supported the school's efforts to strengthen its programs, build relationships across the legal community and create opportunities for students and graduates.

"I am grateful for their willingness to serve and for the role they have played in supporting the law school's continued development," Leonard said.

The transition also highlights the importance of maintaining strong relationships with alumni and professionals who share an interest in the school's future. Their continued involvement helps connect Campbell Law with the communities it serves and provides students with a broader network of experience and guidance as they prepare for their careers.

Shelby Benton '85

Benton is the founder of Benton Family Law, a firm in Goldsboro, North Carolina, that focuses on family law matters. With more than 40 years of experience, Benton has built a career helping individuals and families navigate difficult legal situations, including matters involving child custody, child support, separation agreements, alimony and equitable distribution.

A native of Centreville, Maryland, Benton graduated from Campbell Law in 1985 and went on to become the first Campbell Law graduate to serve as president of the North Carolina Bar Association. Her leadership and contributions to the legal profession have earned her several honors, including the 2026 H. Brent McKnight Renaissance Lawyer Award from the North Carolina Bar Association and the 2022 John B. McMillan Distinguished Service Award from the North Carolina State Bar.

Benton's longstanding career and involvement in the legal community bring valuable experience to the Board of Visitors. Her connection to Campbell Law also reflects the lasting impact alumni can have on the legal profession and the communities they serve.

Christy Dunn '19

Dunn is a shareholder at Young Moore and Henderson, P.A., in Raleigh, where she focuses her practice on civil litigation, insurance law and employment law. She represents insurance companies and businesses in a range of legal matters, including insurance coverage disputes, employment claims and litigation involving long-term care facilities and electric membership corporations.

Before pursuing a career in law, Dunn spent 13 years working as a sales engineer, helping businesses design, sell and install power protection and precision cooling systems for data centers and industrial applications. That experience gave her a background in business operations and technical problem-solving that she continues to draw on in her legal practice.

Dunn earned her bachelor's degree in business administration from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill before graduating magna cum laude from Campbell Law in 2019. During law school, she interned with the Office of the Solicitor General of North Carolina and the North Carolina Court of Appeals. Following graduation, she clerked for the Honorable Allegra Collins'06 at the Court of Appeals before joining Young Moore.

In addition to her legal practice, Dunn is active in professional organizations across the state. She serves on the board of directors of the North Carolina Association of Defense Attorneys, is the government affairs director for the Raleigh Metro Chapter of the Society for Human Resource Management and serves on the North Carolina Bar Association's Insurance Law Section Council. Her experience in litigation, business and professional leadership will bring a valuable perspective to the board.

Taylor Scruggs-Smith '18

Scruggs-Smith is an attorney with Whitaker & Hamer PLLC, where her work has included family law and real estate matters. A 2018 Campbell Law graduate, Scruggs-Smith has continued to build her professional career while remaining connected to the broader legal community.

Her work reflects the range of issues attorneys help clients navigate, from personal and family matters to real estate transactions. Through her legal practice, she has gained experience working with clients through important decisions and complex legal processes.

Scruggs-Smith's professional accomplishments have also received recognition outside the courtroom. In 2024, she was selected for the Triangle Business Journal's 40 Under 40 list, which recognizes emerging leaders in the region. The recognition highlights her growing presence in the professional community and the contributions she has made early in her career.

As a Campbell Law alumna, Scruggs-Smith brings the perspective of a graduate who has moved from the classroom into professional practice. Her experience will help strengthen the board's connection to alumni and the evolving needs of the legal profession.

Tim Welborn '94

Welborn is the founding attorney of the Law Offices of Timothy D. Welborn, P.A., which has served clients since 1994. With offices in Wilkesboro and Winston-Salem, the firm represents individuals in matters involving personal injury, automobile collisions, workers' compensation and Social Security disability claims.

A native of Wilkes County, Welborn attended West Wilkes High School and Wake Forest University, where he earned a bachelor's degree in political science and economics in 1990. He went on to earn his law degree from Campbell Law in 1994 and opened his practice that same year.

Over the course of his career, Welborn has represented clients throughout the Triad, northwestern North Carolina and beyond. His work focuses on helping individuals navigate legal challenges that can have a significant impact on their families, livelihoods and financial security.

Welborn also maintains an active role in the community, serving on the boards of Victory Junction and the Wake Forest Deacon Club. His experience as a law firm founder and his involvement in community organizations bring an additional perspective to the Board of Visitors, particularly in the areas of professional leadership, client advocacy and community engagement.

With the addition of Benton, Dunn, Scruggs-Smith and Welborn to the board, Campbell Law looks forward to building on those relationships and continuing its work to prepare lawyers who serve their clients and communities with professional competence, moral conviction and social compassion, Leonard added.

ABOUT CAMPBELL LAW SCHOOL

Since its founding in 1976, Campbell Law School has developed lawyers who possess moral conviction, social compassion, and professional competence, and who view the law as a calling to serve others. Among its accolades, the school has been recognized by the American Bar Association (ABA) as having the nation's top Professionalism Program and by the American Academy of Trial Lawyers for having the nation's best Trial Advocacy Program. Campbell Law boasts more than 5,000 alumni, who make their home in nearly all 50 states and beyond. In 2026, Campbell Law is celebrating 50 years of graduating legal leaders and 17 years of being located in a state-of-the-art facility in the heart of North Carolina's Capital City.

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