Atty. Lesley W. Bennett

Atty. Lesley W. Bennett

Lesley Bennett has been an attorney with Wilson Ratledge since the firm was formed in 2001. She works with clients on diverse closely-held business matters from start-up to exit and most everything in between, including buy-sell agreements and sophisticated estate planning techniques to transition a business and/or other significant assets and accumulated wealth to the next generation at significantly reduced transfer tax costs.

Raleigh Raleigh 29 yrs experience 29 year
Call (919) 827-0632 Book Appointment

Profile Summary

About Lesley W. Bennett at a glance

Lesley W. Bennett is an Attorney based in Raleigh, North Carolina, practicing at Wilson Ratledge, PLLC. They have 29+ years of legal experience, licensed to practice since 1997. Their practice focuses on trusts, probate, estate planning, business, and real estate. Admitted to practice in North Carolina (1997). Educated at University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill (J.D., 1997) and University of North Carolina at Greensboro (B.S., 1991). Active member of Wake County and North Carolina Bar Associations. Serands clients in Raleigh, NC and the surrounding metropolitan area.

Verified attorney profile · Updated June 2026

About

  • Lesley Bennett has been an attorney with Wilson Ratledge since the firm was formed in 2001
  • She works with clients on diverse closely-held business matters from start-up to exit and most everything in between, including buy-sell agreements and sophisticated estate planning techniques to transition a business and/or other significant assets and accumulated wealth to the next generation at significantly reduced transfer tax costs
  • She also represents both buyer and seller businesses in merger and acquisition transactions, and often assists non-business clients, including those with special needs beneficiaries, with basic or sophisticated estate planning and administration
  • Ms. Bennett has also worked extensively in commercial real estate transactions
  • In all areas of her practice, Ms. Bennett provides representation and advice on tax issues, and has assisted both individuals and businesses in audits and collections by the Internal Revenue Service and the North Carolina Department of Revenue
  • Ms. Bennett was born at Seymour Johnson AFB in Goldsboro, and has lived in North Carolina ever since, except for about two years outside of Chicago, which was great except for the cold!
  • Prior to entering law school at Chapel Hill, Ms. Bennett acquired a business, marketing and accounting background through undergraduate and graduate study, and by working through the ranks with a multi-property hospitality management company
  • During law school, Ms. Bennett was a member of the Phi Alpha Delta Law Fraternity and served as its Treasurer for the 1996-1997 year
  • Ms. Bennett and her husband are Charter Members actively involved with the new and ever-growing All Saints United Methodist Church
  • Ms. Bennett is also actively involved with the Carolina Dance Foundation and served as its Director of Communications from 2012-2015
  • Ms. Bennett enjoys quality time with her husband and two young children, usually by attending and otherwise supporting their daughter’s dance performance events and their son’s athletic events, or traveling to the mountains or the coast, or just curling up with a good movie and some popcorn

Practice Areas Explained

Lesley W. Bennett's Areas of Practice

Each practice area below reflects the types of cases Lesley W. Bennett handles, with a brief overview of what that area of law covers.

Trusts

Lesley W. Bennett is one of 104,172 trusts attorneys indexed nationally. Browse trusts attorneys in North Carolina →

Probate

Lesley W. Bennett is one of 128,014 probate attorneys indexed nationally. Browse probate attorneys in North Carolina →

Estate Planning & Probate

An estate planning attorney prepares wills, trusts, powers of attorney, and healthcare directives to protect your family and pass on your assets.

Lesley W. Bennett is one of 226,537 estate planning attorneys indexed nationally. Browse estate planning attorneys in North Carolina →

Business & Corporate Law

Business attorneys advise founders and growing companies on entity formation, contracts, financing, M&A, and dispute resolution.

Lesley W. Bennett is one of 501,317 business attorneys indexed nationally. Browse business attorneys in North Carolina →

Real Estate Law

Real estate attorneys handle home purchases, sales, commercial transactions, title disputes, and landlord-tenant matters.

Lesley W. Bennett is one of 316,149 real estate attorneys indexed nationally. Browse real estate attorneys in North Carolina →

Jurisdictional Context

Why local counsel matters in North Carolina

Practicing law in North Carolina. Legal matters in North Carolina are governed by state-specific rules of civil and criminal procedure, statutes of limitations, and substantive law. Cases originating in Raleigh are typically filed in the local municipal court or the appropriate North Carolina state district court, depending on subject matter and amount in controversy. An attorney licensed in North Carolina brings working knowledge of local procedural deadlines, judicial practices in this andnue, and the substantive law that applies to cases brought here. Out-of-state attorneys generally cannot represent clients in North Carolina courts without local counsel or pro hac vice admission.

Looking for additional North Carolina attorneys? Browse all attorneys in Raleigh or all attorneys in North Carolina.

Frequently Asked

Common questions about Lesley W. Bennett

Where is Lesley W. Bennett's law office located?
Lesley W. Bennett's law practice is located in Raleigh, North Carolina. The firm is Wilson Ratledge, PLLC. You can contact the office directly through this profile page.
What practice areas does Lesley W. Bennett handle?
Lesley W. Bennett focuses on trusts, probate, estate planning, business, real estate. Each practice area listed reflects experience handling cases of that type in North Carolina.
How long has Lesley W. Bennett practiced law?
Lesley W. Bennett has 29+ years of legal experience and has been licensed since 1997.
Where did Lesley W. Bennett go to law school?
Lesley W. Bennett earned their education at (J.D., 1997); (B.S., 1991).
How can I contact Lesley W. Bennett for a consultation?
You can contact Lesley W. Bennett directly through this profile page. Click "Ask the Attorney" to submit a question, or "Schedule a Consultation" to book a meeting. Most claimed-profile attorneys respond within one business day.

Education

J.D.
University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
- 1997
B.S.
University of North Carolina at Greensboro
- 1991

Bar Admissions

North Carolina
Admitted: 1997

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