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Thomas H. Eagen
 

Phone: (919) 490-1900
Toll Free: 1-(866) 745-8820
Fax: (919) 490-6296
Email: Contact Me

Thomas H. Eagen founded Eagen & Eagen in 1985, representing criminal defendants, persons injured by the negligent acts of others, and those embroiled in the turmoil of marital strife. Mr. Eagen is a seasoned litigator with an extensive trial and appellate practice in both the state and federal courts . In addition to his trial practice, Mr. Eagen is a mediator and seeks first to find a fair resolution to his clients’ problems short of going to court.

Mr. Eagen served as a Marine infantry officer in Vietnam from 1966 to 1968 with the First Marines, eventually obtaining his law degree after that war ended, and served as a Marine judge advocate until his retirement in 1985.

Thomas H. Eagen was born in Chicago, Illinois and grew up around New York City. He enlisted in the Marine Corps after completing high school. Mr. Eagen received his undergraduate degree from Muhlenberg College in Allentown, Pennsylvania after which he was commissioned a Second Lieutenant of Marines. After serving in Vietnam, Mr. Eagen married his wife and law partner, Elizabeth Eagen, a North Carolina native, and they attended law school together in San Diego, California, where he graduated cum laude (Ms. Eagen graduated magna cum laude). In 1985, he moved to Durham, North Carolina with his wife and their two children and is active in military and political matters.

Elizabeth Eagen

 
 
Elizabeth Eagen concentrates her practice in Estate Planning and Administration and Elder Law. Estate planning includes wills, trusts, guardianships, powers of attorney, living wills and health care powers of attorney, combined with planning which addresses both the client’s personal concerns as well as any financial and tax planning concerns. Estate administration involves representing personal representatives or family members in the administration of a Decedent’s estate.

Elder law involves many issues as they particularly affect the elderly and their families. Typical elder law issues include nursing home placement, asset protection, Medicaid counseling, incompetence, guardianships, powers of attorney, health care powers of attorney and living wills, as well as addressing family concerns and the stress involved when a family member is facing a serious illness or other significant life change.

Elizabeth Eagen, a native of Rocky Mount, North Carolina, moved to Durham in 1985 with her husband and law partner, Thomas Eagen, and their two children. She joined Eagen & Eagen in 1988. Prior to moving to North Carolina, Ms. Eagen practiced law in Virginia. Ms. Eagen obtained her undergraduate degree from the University of North Carolina at Greensboro in 1965 and her law degree from California Western School of Law in 1978, where she graduated magna cum laude.

Dori J. Wiggen

Dori J. Wiggen concentrates her practice in Estate Planning and Administration and Elder Law. Estate planning includes wills, trusts, guardianships, powers of attorney, living wills and health care powers of attorney, combined with planning which addresses both the client’s personal concerns as well as any financial and tax planning concerns. Estate administration involves representing personal representatives or family members in the administration of a Decedent’s estate.

Elder law involves many issues as they particularly affect the elderly and their families. Typical elder law issues include nursing home placement, asset protection, Medicaid counseling, incompetence, guardianships, powers of attorney, health care powers of attorney and living wills, as well as addressing family concerns and the stress involved when a family member is facing a serious illness or other significant life change.

Dori J. Wiggen is a native of Greensboro, North Carolina. Ms. Wiggen obtained her undergraduate degree from Appalachian State University in Boone, North Carolina in 2000, where she graduated magna cum laude, and her law degree from the University of North Carolina School of Law in 2004.

Areas of Practice

• Family Law
• Criminal Law
• Traffic Offenses
• Small Business Counseling and Litigation

• J.D., California Western School of Law, San Diego, California, 1977
  Honors: cum laude
• A.B., Muhlenberg College, Allentown, Pennsylvania, 1965

• California, 1977
• District of Columbia, 1984
• North Carolina, 1985
• U.S. District Court Eastern District of North Carolina, 1985
• U.S. District Court Middle District of North Carolina, 1985
• U.S. District Court Western District of North Carolina, 1985
• U.S. Court of Appeals, 4th Circuit, 1985
• U.S. Federal Courts, 1985
• U.S. Supreme Court, 1984

• North Carolina Bar Association
• 14th Judicial District Bar
• Durham Bar Association
• North Carolina Academy of Trial Lawyers
• North Carolina Bar Association

• Vietnam, Marine Infantry Officer, 1966-1968
• Marine Judge Advocate, 1974-1985

• North Carolina Bar Association.
  Estate Planning Section Member/
  Elder Law Section Member
• 14th Judicial District Bar
• Durham County Bar Association
• National Academy of Elder Law Attorneys (NAELA)
• Durham/Orange Estate Planning Counsel

• Wills and Trusts
• Estate Planning and Administration
• Elder Law
• Guardianships

• Virginia, 1978
• North Carolina, 1988

• J.D., California Western School of Law, San Diego, California, 1978
  Honors:  magna cum laude
• B.A., University of North Carolina, Greensboro, North Carolina, 1965

• North Carolina Bar Association
  Estate Planning Section Member
  Elder Law Section Member
• 14th Judicial District Bar
• Durham/Orange Estate Planning Counsel
• Business Network International, Bull City Leaders Group
• Durham Young Professionals

• Wills and Trusts
• Estate Planning and Administration
• Elder Law
• Guardianships

• J.D., University of North Carolina School of Law, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, 2004
• B.A., Appalachian State University, Boone, North Carolina, 2000
  Honors: magna cum laude

Our Staff

• Board Member; Council for Senior Citizens
• Junior League of Durham and Orange Counties
• Volunteer; Independent Animal Rescue

Jack D. Wiggen

Associate
Phone: (919) 490-1900
Toll Free: 1-(866) 745-8820
Fax: (919) 490-6296
Email: Contact Me

 Jack D. Wiggen concentrates his practice in traffic law, criminal law, family law and business law.  Mr. Wiggen is dedicated to providing the best legal assistance for all types of tickets, traffic violations and criminal violations (Felony and Misdemeanor), as well as all family law matters including divorce, equitable distribution, child custody, child support, separation agreements, alimony and post-separation support.

In addition to his litigation practice, Mr. Wiggen has extensive experience in advising clients on the formation of partnerships, limited liability companies and corporations; counseling new business owners; and drafting, negotiating and reviewing lease agreements, employment agreements,  contract disputes and non-compete agreements.

Jack D. Wiggen is a native of Minneapolis, Minnesota.  He obtained his undergraduate degree from East Carolina University in Greenville, North Carolina in 2002, where he graduated magna cum laude, and his law degree from the University of North Carolina School of Law in 2005 where he served as President of the Student Bar Association. 

Areas of Practice

• Family Law
• Criminal Law
• Traffic Law
• Small Business Counseling and Litigation

Bar Admissions: North Carolina, 2005

Education

• J.D., University of North Carolina School of Law, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, 2005
  Honors: Order of the Barristers
                 James E. And Carolyn B. Davis Society
• B.S., East Carolina University, Greenville, North Carolina, 2002
  Honors: magna cum laude  

Professional Associations and Memberships

• North Carolina Bar Association
• Family Law Section Member
• Criminal Justice Section Member
• 14th Judicial District Bar

Deanna Smith
 

Deanna Smith is the Legal Assistant and Office Manager for Eagen & Eagen. Deanna has been with our firm since September 1996, assisting our attorneys in their different areas of practice. When you call or visit our office, Deanna will usually be the one to greet you. She will be happy to schedule your appointment and answer questions, which do not entail legal advice. Deanna works closely with our clients to keep them as informed as possible. Please feel free to contact Deanna if you have a question about our firm or wish to make an appointment.