At Prior, Criner & Edwards PLLC, we have built our firm and our reputation on attention to detail and compassion for clients. Because we are a strong, experienced team of attorneys, we are able to offer clients a wide breadth and depth of experience. Combined, our attorneys have more than 60 years’ experience across disciplines, so whether it is an unusual workers’ compensation claim or complex personal injury suit, we have the lawyers with the creativity, insight and perseverance to advocate firmly for our clients’ causes.
From our initial consultation to the resolution of each claim, clients have responded that they have received personal attention, and not only that, but they were treated like their case was the most important to us. At Prior, Criner & Edwards PLLC, you are not a number, and you are not a dollar sign in the company ledger. You are a client who deserves our full attention at every turn, even when a claim gets tough to enforce or injuries take longer to heal than anticipated.
However complex or serious your situation, you can be assured that members of our legal team know how to handle it, whether it involves a private settlement or full face-off lawsuit. Our clients know that we are committed to the process and won’t settle for anything less than we believe is appropriate.
Our Commitment to You
We have a number of accolades, including the Martindale-Hubbell AV Preeminent rating for excellence in the legal field, as well as memberships in the Million Dollar Advocates Forum, Super Lawyers, National Board of Trial Advocacy, North Carolina State Bar Association and the North Carolina and South Carolina Trial Lawyers Associations, the United States Trial Lawyers, American Association for Justice, PrideWorks and AAJ’s Workers’ Injury Law and Advocacy Group.
Consultations are always free and never threaten your wallet, so contact us with any questions or concerns you have about a worker’s compensation issue or a personal injury claim. We can help you know more and make confident decisions about your case moving forward.
Meet our experienced Attorneys:
At Firm name, we pride ourselves on having the expertise required to represent clients that require a lawyer that understands complexities of various types of cases.
We have attorneys with comprehensive and extensive knowledge and experience in areas including:
Business Law
Civil Litigation
Criminal Law
Family Law & Child Support
Personal Injury
Real Estate Law
Wills, Trusts & Estates
If you need help with a complicated case, you have come to the right place. Our attorneys are seasoned in their areas of practice, allowing us to make accurate assessments regarding what your next step should be.
We also maintain a legal referral network, enabling us to refer clients to trusted attorneys outside of our area of specialization.
Frank Prior obtained his law degree for Pace University in 1981. He was admitted to The Florida Bar in 1982. Frank practices generally in business law, civil litigation and personal injury.
Sherman Lee Criner has been a member of The Florida Bar since 1985. His undergraduate degree is from Tennessee State University and his law degree is from Stetson University Law School.
Ashley M. Edwards is a partner with the firm pursuant to Bar Rule 3-7.6. Ashley has been active in The Florida Bar Young Lawyers Division and is a past-president of the George C. Young American Inn of Court.
Ashley’s undergraduate major was criminal justice at the University of Alabama and she graduated law school from the University of Florida.
We look forward to understanding your case with you and helping you to determine what the best course of action is regarding a legal matter you may be facing. Come see us at pceattorneys.com or give us a call today to understand all that we can do for you. At our Law Firm, your legal rights and interests are our top priority and you will be treated to our personal touch every step along the way.
Meet Our Attorneys
Areas of Practice
At Prior, Criner & Edwards PLLC – Known as the Workers’ Compensation Law Firm – we pride ourselves on a broad range of legal services aimed at helping workers and their families get the compensation they need after injury in the workplace.
- Legal representation for workers’ compensation claims.
- Personal injury legal services.
- Vehicle accident claims.
- Mediation and alternative dispute resolution.
Accolades and Recognition
In the legal world, accolades and recognition are a badge of honor for winning legal arguments and achieving favorable results for clients. At Prior, Criner & Edwards PLLC, we’re proud of the fact that our attorneys have achieved the highest levels of peer-reviewed recognition, through the Martindale-Hubbell law grade system, membership in the Million Dollar Advocates Forum, and recognition by Super Lawyers and Expertise.com as outstanding personal injury litigators.
At Prior, Criner & Edwards PLLC, our attorneys received the Martindale-Hubbell AV Preeminent rating, which means that our fellow lawyers and judges reviewed us and rated us 4.0-4.9 on a scale of 5.0 out of 5.0 in the legal ability and ethical standards categories. In addition, Mr. Edward Prior is proud to have been a member of Million Dollar Advocates Forum, an exclusive club of lawyers throughout the United States whose verdicts and settlements exceed $1 million. Mr. Prior and Ms. Courtney Criner also been recognized personally by Super Lawyers and named Best Lawyers by Expertise.com as Distinguished Practitioners.
- Martindale-Hubbell AV Preeminent Rating — Our listed and remaining members earned this prestigious accolade for maintaining the highest standards of professional conduct.
- Million Dollar Advocates Forum — Membership is exclusive to attorneys who won million-dollar and multi-million dollar verdicts and settlements.
- Super Lawyers and Rising Stars — Super Lawyers selects outstanding lawyers from more than 70 practice areas who have attained high peer recognition for their accomplishments.
- Best Law Firms — U.S. News has ranked our firm on the list of Best Law Firms nationwide.
- Expertise.com — Recognized as one of the best criminal defense lawyers in San Diego County and listed among the Best Rated Personal Injury Lawyers in San Antonio.
Clients can take significant comfort in knowing they are not alone in placing their trust in Prior, Criner & Edwards PLLC; they are joining other satisfied clients who have gotten the benefit of strong, strategic legal representation that gets results.
Client Testimonials
“You have a law firm that actually cares about it. I couldn’t have been more impressed with the way you go out of your way to help your clients and make everyone feel comfortable during a very rough time in their lives.”
— P. Lemelle, Tampa, Florida
“Thank you all for all of your help with my case. Most of the time it was comforting to talk to Jennifer [McKenzie] and know that things were going along well. It was desperately comforting toward the end of the case when I had lost almost all hope.”
— Client Testimonial
“It was a night and day difference working with you guys as opposed to other attorneys that I’ve made my way through. It was awesome to know I had someone on my side and wouldn’t settle for whatever crap the opposition wanted to give.”
— Client Testimonial
“They will get the job done! I could not have gotten through this process without the help from Matt. You can expect aggressive representation with them, who are very knowledgeable in the areas Practiced. Melissa and Kate both were amazing as well on a personal level. You are not getting lost in a big law firm, you matter to them, I can’t say enough good things about this firm.”
— Client Testimonial
“It has been my privilege to consult with Matt Prior and Jennifer Edwards on real property and corporate legal matters over the past 10 years. Their experience substantive knowledge and true understanding of the needs of developers of all kinds really stands out from many other firms working just within th industry.”
— Client Testimonial
“They helped me prosecute against my homeowners’ association and a few delinquent real estate agents who were protecting sellers instead of buyers. All I can say is Prior, Criner and Edwards is your choice for premier legal representation.”
— Client Testimonial
The attorneys at Prior, Criner & Edwards PLLC have built an excellent reputation for a reason — we take great care of our clients, and they are more than happy to tell others about their experience. Read our clients’ testimonials above to learn more about our passion for advocacy and client service.
Free Consultation
No-cost initial consultations are an important part of how we serve our clients at Prior, Criner & Edwards PLLC. The needs of our clients vary, and we want to provide some no-pressure opportunities to assess your case. This no-cost consultation serves three purposes:
- It gives our clients an opportunity to discuss their case with counsel who truly care.
- It allows our clients to gain insight into exactly how they should go about pursuing their workers’ compensation, personal injury, or vehicle accident case.
- It gives our clients the chance to have any questions they may have answered by professionals in a relaxed and friendly atmosphere.
Contact Us
We are here for you. Contact us today.
Benefit from our free consultation offer.
Call us at (910) 341-3202 to receive timely, trustworthy response. Reach us on our main office line at (910) 251-0004. We welcome your emails as well.
508 Market St, Wilmington, NC 28401
Complete our simple online form to start the conversation. We respond quickly to all inquiries.
- ✓ Your first meeting is FREE with Prior, Criner & Edwards PLLC
- ✓ We handle workers compensation, personal injury, and vehicle accidents
- ✓ Our attorneys will meet you at your home or hospital if needed