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WHO WE ARE
Melissa J. Hordichuk, Esq.
Executive Director & Managing Attorney
Phone: 704.727.2997
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Melissa is the founder of AJP and has been providing pro and low bono legal services to people all over the state of North Carolina since 2020.
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Prior to founding AJP, Melissa worked in political & nonprofit law, and she oversaw the federal and state political and lobbying programs at the Sierra Club national headquarters in Washington, DC. Melissa has extensive experience navigating the laws governing campaign finance, lobbying, and tax-exempt organizations, however, her passion lies in civil rights and social justice.
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Melissa lives in Charlotte, NC with her partner, Serena, and their fur babies, Lola and Misha.
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EDUCATION
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Georgetown University Law Center, J.D.
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Georgian Court University, B.A.
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BAR ADMISSIONS
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North Carolina
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South Carolina
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New Jersey
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COURT ADMISSIONS
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U.S. District Court - Western District of North Carolina
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U.S. District Court - District of New Jersey
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U.S. Court of Appeals - 4th Circuit
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ACCREDITATIONS
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U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs
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AWARDS​​
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Top 40 Under 40, National Trial Lawyers - 2024
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Future Leaders in Law, Lawyers of Distinction - 2023
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Top 10 Under 40 Criminal Defense Attorneys in NC, NACDA - 2022-2023
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Servant Leader Award, Law People USA - 2022
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Pro Bono Honor Roll, South Carolina Bar - 2021-2022
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Pro Bono Honor Society, N.C. Pro Bono Resource Center - 2020-2022
Crista Collazo, Esq.
Chair of the Board*
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Crista is an Assistant Public Defender in Orange County, NC and has been practicing law in North Carolina for over a decade.
She is passionate about social justice, civil rights, and transforming the way we police.
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Crista lives in Hillsborough, NC with her two sons.
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EDUCATION
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NC Central University School of Law, J.D.
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University of NC at Chapel Hill, B.A.
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BAR ADMISSIONS
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North Carolina
Chablis Dandridge
Vice-Chair, Board of Directors*
Chablis is a published author, community activist, motivational speaker, and real estate investor.
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Chablis is deeply committed to transforming the criminal justice system and empowering our community. He survived four gunshot wounds that left him paralyzed from the waist down, followed by a 15-year federal prison sentence for drug-trafficking. Chablis is a true example of what it means to persevere and step into your power - irrespective of circumstances.
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Chablis is the loving father of two sons and lives in Charlotte, NC with his wife, Devonne.
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EDUCATION
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Vance-Granville Community College, A.A. in Business Administration and Management
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LICENCES & CERTIFICATIONS
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PP Professional Paralegal
*Please contact us for a full list of our Board members.