Real Estate Law

Todd has laid down strong roots in the Burlington, North Carolina area. His father was a local pharmacist, his mother a jeweler, his stepfather worked at Burlington Industries as a computer systems analyst, and his stepmother was a substitute teacher in the Burlington City School system. 

He attended school at Grove Park Elementary School, Hillcrest Elementary School, and Turrentine Middle School before graduating from Williams High School. After high school, he graduated from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill with a Bachelor’s Degree, studying Political Science, and then graduated from the University of North Carolina School of Law in 1999. During this period of time, he worked as a jeweler, a welder, an insurance underwriter, and a carpenter while raising three children who have made him extremely proud. Two of those young men are college graduates, and one is currently enrolled in college. One is a veteran of the United States Air Force, and one is currently serving in the United States Army. Todd is married to Stacey Rubain, who is a premier lawyer who practices primarily in the Forsyth County area. 

After working with a Federal Bankruptcy Judge in Charlotte, North Carolina, for one year, Todd started his own law office in Graham, which has been operating for over twenty years. In 2019, he merged his office with Robert Giles to become Smith Giles PLLC. Todd has handled Bankruptcy, Smith Giles, Personal Injury, Wrongful Death, Family Law, and General Civil Litigation cases, but began focusing on Criminal law within the first few years of his practice. Since that time, Todd has become one of the most experienced criminal attorneys in the region. He has handled tens of thousands of criminal cases in the North Carolina State Courts, including every type of case from Speeding Tickets to First Degree Murder cases. He has represented over thirty clients who have been charged with first-degree murder. He has tried approximately 100 jury trials before different courts, including felony assault cases, drug cases, firearms cases, fraud cases, personal injury cases, murder cases, and rape cases.

In addition, Todd regularly handles Federal Criminal matters. He is the only person whose primary office is in Alamance County who regularly represents people in Federal Court. He has been admitted to practice law in all of the United States District Courts in North Carolina – the Eastern District (since 2008), the Middle District (since 2000), and the Western District (since 1999). He has been certified as a specialist in North Carolina Criminal Law by the State Bar since 2010 and has been certified as a specialist in Federal Criminal Law by the State Bar since 2015. As of 2019, he was one of 63 attorneys who were bar-certified specialists in both of these fields in the entire state.

Todd regularly handles appeals in both the North Carolina and Federal Courts. He has been admitted to the North Carolina Court of Appeals and the North Carolina State Supreme Court since 1999. He has been admitted to the Fourth Circuit Court of Appeals since 2008 and the United States Supreme Court since 2008.

Todd’s philosophy regarding practicing law is “The best defense is a good offense.” His favorite quote is attributed to Winston Churchill during World War Two when he stated, “We will defend our island, whatever the cost may be, we shall fight on the beaches, we shall fight on the landing grounds, we shall fight in the fields and in the streets, we shall fight in the hills, we shall never surrender” because it encompasses his feeling about what it means to fight for what is yours at all costs – including your liberty.

Robert C. Giles, II, also known as “Bob”, is a native of Alamance County.  Bob graduated from Western Alamance High School and went on to attend the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, where he earned a Bachelor’s degree in Music. Following his graduation from UNC-Chapel Hill, Bob earned his Juris Doctor from North Carolina Central University, Magna Cum Laude. While attending law school, he was a member of the North Carolina Central University Moot Court Board and won first place in the Clifton Johnson Moot Court Competition. He has been licensed to practice law since 2002.  After working for a local Alamance County mid-sized law firm for 8 years, and practicing in his own solo firm for 3 years, he is now a partner with Smith Giles PLLC located in Graham, North Carolina.

He proudly serves as the Alamance Burlington School Board attorney as their advocate, assisting in raising funds for their continued growth. Additionally, he is the representing attorney for the Town of Liberty and the Town of Gibsonville in a municipal capacity.

Bob is a skilled litigator and accomplished negotiator who can utilize his knowledge of the local court system and trial process to efficiently handle Personal Injury, Traffic, Civil Litigation, and Municipal matters.

Bob is married to Leanna B. Giles, and together they have one daughter. Bob is very involved in the community, serving on boards and committees. Bob takes pride in providing personal legal service to each and every client.

Education

B.M., University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill, 1999

Juris Doctor, North Carolina Central University, 2002, Magna Cum Laude

Ralph graduated with honors from East Carolina University in 1996 with a major in Industrial Technology. Ralph later attended the North Carolina Central University School of Law, where he served on the staff of the NCCU Law Journal and graduated cum laude in 2000. 

Ralph’s practice currently focuses primarily on residential and commercial real estate transactions. His practice areas also include wills, estates, business matters, and personal injury cases. In his spare time, Ralph enjoys spending time with his family and his yellow Labrador retriever, Lou. 

Ralph is a member of the Mebane United Methodist Church, where volunteers operate the sound board, and has served as a past member of the Board of Trustees. When time allows, he also likes to go hiking, kayaking, and playing pickleball.

Education

• Juris Doctor, University of South Carolina School of Law
• Master of Environmental Law and Policy, Summa Cum Laude, Vermont Law School

Professional Associations

• American Bar Association
• North Carolina State Bar
• North Carolina Bar Association
• Alamance County Bar

Community Involvement & Personal Interests

In his free time, Mr. Fogarty enjoys the outdoors and sports. As a youth, Andrew received the Boy Scouts of America Eagle Scout Award. 

Today, Andrew serves as an Assistant Scout Master for the Boy Scouts of America. During his college years, Andrew competed in NCAA track and cross country. He continued running after college and completed the New York City Marathon, Richmond Marathon, and Boston Marathon.

Currently, he serves on the Governing Board and plays for the North Carolina Tigers Australian Rules Football Club.