Our People

Emily Sutton Dezio

Co-Founder

Emily Sutton Dezio has practiced family law, civil litigation and appellate practice in all of the relevant state courts across Western North Carolina since 2004.

Emily’s more than twenty years of experience as a litigator gives her insight on how to best solve your problems with conscious solutions.  She often tells you she is not here to make your decisions, but rather to be a “sherpa” through the legal process.

Emily loves to travel with her family, but hates the planning part.  She will read no fewer than three books during any vacation if given an opportunity.  When not traveling, working, or watching her daughter excel in sports, Emily and her family raise goats and farm vegetables.

Admitted Jurisdictions

  • North Carolina State Bar
  • Fourth Circuit Court of Appeals
  • The Cherokee Supreme Court

Education

  • Clerked for Justice Bob Orr, North Carolina Supreme Court 2002-2003
  • Vermont Law School, 2002
  • North Carolina State University, 1998
  • Enka High School, 1994

Awards & Recognition

North Carolina Pro Bono Honor Society 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023

Community Involvement

  • Enka Candler Business Association (2008-present)
  • Connect Enka (Enka Heritage Trail) (2015-present)
  • Buncombe County Bar Association’s Pro Bono Committee (2018-present)
  • Enka High School Advisory Board (2024-present)
  • Enka High Booster’s Club/Parent Rep (2024-present)
  • Hominy Valley Recreational Park Pro Bono Attorney (2018-present)
  • Old Candler Town Outlaw Traveling Softball Club (Frady) 2016-2022
  • Enka Middle Advisory Board/SIT Team (2021-2023)
  • Enka Schools’ Foundation (2016-2019)
  • Democratic Women’s Group (2023-present)
  • Avid Supporter of Asheville Greenworks, Susan G. Komen for the Cure, Sierra Club, Planned Parenthood, American Whitewater

John Sutton

Co-Founder

John R. Sutton, Jr. has practiced law in the general sense since 2000.  His practice areas have varied over the years, covering civil litigation, criminal defense, estate planning, estate administration and estate disputes in all of the State and Federal Courts in Western North Carolina.  For the past several years, however, his primary practice areas have been estate planning, estate administration and civil litigation.  

John’s experience in a wide variety of areas of law give him a unique perspective into creative and lasting solutions to his client’s problems.  His involvement with the Enka Candler community provides him with insight and understanding of the needs of his community.   When John is not practicing law, he enjoys spending time with family and friends, cheering for his beloved Tar Heels, snow skiing, golf, kayaking and seeing live music.  

Admitted Jurisdictions

  • North Carolina State Bar 
  • United States District Court, Western District of North Carolina
  • United States Fourth Circuit Court of Appeals United States Supreme Court
  • The Supreme Court of the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians 

Education

  • St. Thomas University School of Law, 2000
  • University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, 1996
  • Enka High School, 1992

Community Involvement

  • Enka Candler Business Association (2014-present)
  • United Way of Asheville/Buncombe Board of Directors (2018-2024)
  • Candler Lion’s Club (2019 – present)
  • Hominy Baptist Church Endowment Committee (2022-present)
  • Candler Elementary Advisory Board (2019-present)