Serving Wake and the surrounding counties!
Serving Wake and the surrounding counties!
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Our focus is Our Clients!
Christian Pedersen & Shawna Vasilko
Marissa Alford, Jason Vasilko, and Daniela Pena-Guzman
Shawna Vasilko is currently a practicing family and federal criminal defense attorney in Wake County. Prior to attending law school, Shawna cultivated extensive experience in the legal arena as a paralegal. She became a paralegal in Memphis, Tennessee in 2003, focusing specifically on criminal defense work. After moving to North Carolina, Shawna continued her work as a paralegal while simultaneously pursuing multiple degrees. Shawna enjoyed expanding her legal experience beyond criminal defense work in both state and federal court to personal injury and bankruptcy law.
Her educational background consists of an associate degree in criminal justice from Vance Granville Community College; a Bachelor of Arts in criminal justice from The University of North Carolina at Pembroke; a Juris Doctorate from The Norman Adrian Wiggins School of Law; and an L.LM from Nottingham Trent University. The subject of her dissertation focused on restorative justice as a quasi-victim's right. Since graduating, Shawna joined Dobson Law Firm, PPLC, focusing on criminal defense and family law and is currently a junior partner. Within a few months of being barred, she sat second chair in a weeklong jury trial. Her caseload ranges from simple divorces to complex equitable distribution litigation. She is also admitted to the Eastern District of North Carolina and serves on the CJA training panel.
While attending law school, Shawna worked part-time as a paralegal for David Venable focusing on federal criminal defense work in the Eastern District of North Carolina. She also interned with McMillan and Smith, Thorp Law, the Administrative Offices of the Courts and Transitional Support Legal Aid. Shawna also served as a student representative, the Vice-President of Campbell Law Actual Innocence Project (CLIP) and a Wills for Heroes volunteer. She also served as the pro bono chairperson for the re-entry project (now known as the Expungement Project), working in close connection with Legal Aide of North Carolina. Shawna also had the privilege to work in the Blanchard Law Community Clinic serving low-income families needing various legal assistance. While at Campbell, Shawna attended Baylor Law's Academy of the Advocate in Saint Andrew, Scotland where she participated in a two-week intense trial advocacy program.
Shawna married her high school sweetheart in 2003 and they have three children together. She currently resides in Wake Forest where is she an active member of her community. She loves animals and has three beloved dogs and a cat.
Chris was born and raised in Cary, North Carolina and attended Cardinal Gibbons High School where he played Hockey, Baseball, Wrestling, and Golf for the school. Chris Graduated from UNCW in 2016 where he double majored and received degrees in Criminology and Business Administration with a concentration in Marketing as well as becoming a member of the Cameron Executive Network with the Business School. Before attending Campbell School of Law in 2018 Chris worked as an Outside Sales Agent in South Carolina serving the Law Enforcement community.
During law school Chris worked as an intern at Oak Grove Technologies assisting the In-House Counsel. Chris began working at Dobson Law Firm as a paralegal handling Real Estate closing as well as assisting in Family and Criminal law matters. After passing the Bar Exam Chris continued working at Dobson Law Firm, PLLC as an Attorney and practiced in the areas of Residential and Corporate Real Estate, Wills, Trusts, Estates, and Civil Litigation.
Alyssa was born in Pennsylvania and moved to northern Maine when she was eight. Alyssa moved to North Carolina to attend NC State University (Go Pack!) She graduated from NC State in 2020 where she majored in anthropology. While attending Campbell School of Law in 2021, Alyssa attended Baylor Law's Academy of the Advocate in Saint Andrew, Scotland, focusing on trial advocacy and participated in the Campbell Law School’s Gailor Family Law Clinic assisting low-income clients with family law related matters.
During law school Alyssa worked as an intern at Stephenson Law focusing on civil litigation and Dobson Law Firm focusing on Family Law. Alyssa joins Vasilko & Pedersen as an associate attorney focusing on all areas of Family Law.
Outside of work, Alyssa enjoys reading, making bracelets, thrifting and sports (favorite teams include the Orioles, Hurricanes and Washington Commanders). She also enjoys traveling as one of coolest places she has been is Bangkok. Alyssa has two rescue pups named Luna and Goober.
· Campbell University School of Law, Raleigh, North Carolina
o J.D.
· North Carolina State University, Raleigh, North Carolina
o B.A., Bachelor of Arts
o Major: Anthropology
o Minor: Political Science
o Member of the Ski and Snowboarding Team
· North Carolina(pending)
· Dobson Law Firm, Intern
· Stephenson Law, Intern
Daniela was born in Mexico and moved to North Carolina when she was around 6 years old. She is a native Spanish speaker. Daniela Graduated from UNC-Charlotte (Go Niners!) in 2021 where she majored in criminal justice. Since graduating, Daniela has worked as a paralegal handling matters in criminal justice, civil litigation, and family law. Daniela enjoys reading, traveling, and country music concerts. Daniela currently lives with her feline friend, Oliver.
Jason was born in Ohio and moved to North Carolina at a young age. In high school he relocated to a small town in Tennessee after his dad retired from the Marine Corps. Jason attended Ripley High School and upon graduation immediately went off to Marine Corps bootcamp at MCRD, San Diego, California. Upon completely of bootcamp, Jason focused on his MOS and specialized skills training at Camp Pendleton, California.
Jason graduated in 2007 from Wake Technical Community College with an Associates in Criminal Justice and from UNC-Pembroke with a Bachelor of Arts in Criminal Justice in 2019. Since graduating, Jason has obtained his Private Investigator’s license in North Carolina (active), South Carolina (inactive), and Virginia (inactive).
Jason currently works at Vasilko & Pedersen as the lead investigator and paralegal in their family law division.
Jason has been married since 2003 and has three wonderful children. He enjoys working out, listening to music, and spending time with his family. Jason has three dogs (Harley, Dexter, and Popeye) and one cat (Trooper).
· University of North Carolina, Pembroke, North Carolina
o B.A., Bachelor of Arts
o Major: Criminal Justice
· Wake Technical Community College, Raleigh, North Carolina
o A.A., Associates in Arts
o Major: Criminal Justic
· Dobson Law Firm, Investigator and Paralegal
· TNT, Field Investigator
· Advantage Surveillance, Field Investigator
· Wake County Sheriff’s Office, DRT/ Court Transport
Marissa was born in Four Oaks, North Carolina and has lived in North Carolina her entire life. Marissa graduated in 2014 from Fayetteville State University with a Bachelor of Science in Education. Marissa plans to pursue her masters in the coming months.
Jason currently works at Vasilko & Pedersen as the Client Specialist. Marissa is the first person you will see or speak to when calling the firm. Her outgoing and sunny personality makes her presence at the firm a welcome comfort to many of the clients involved in litigation.
Marissa is passionate about sports. She loves cheering on the Panthers, even in rough seasons. She has recently started to enjoy playing flag football and attending various sporting events. Marissa loves to read and spend time with her family.
· Fayetteville State University, Fayetteville, North Carolina
o B.S., Bachelor of Science
o Major: Education
· Dobson Law Firm, Receptionist
· All State, Insurance in-take specialist
Fitzgerald Pawsgraf was born in December 2023 in South Carolina. He was soon rescued by Pawfect Match and sent to the Raleigh, North Carolina area to live with a foster family. On April 10, 2024, Fitzgerald was officially adopted by founding partner of Vasilko & Pedersen, Chris Pedersen. Since being adopted, Fitz has been accepted by the entire office as VP Law’s official law pup!
Fitz spends his days in the office enjoying lots of love and attention from everyone he meets. In the evenings, you can find him at the softball field or enjoying an evening watching sports on the couch with dad.
Currently, Fitzgerald is pursuing his puppy training and mastering the art of giving the best puppy eyes and kisses.
Fitzgerald has ambitions of becoming “legal counsel” for influencer pups across Instagram and TikTok.
You can follow Fitz on Instagram @fitzgeraldpawsgraf
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