About
State Bar #5889
Cecil Whitley is the founding partner of Main Street Legal. He was born and raised in Union County, North Carolina, on a tenant farm raising cotton, corn, and wheat. Upon graduation, he earned a bachelor’s degree from Catawba College and a master’s degree from Appalachian State University. Out of college, Mr. Whitley was drafted into the United States Army during the Vietnam War, reaching the rank of First Lieutenant. While in Vietnam, he served with the 1st Infantry Division and the 101st Airborne Division, where he achieved three Bronze Stars (Oak Leaf Cluster), a Silver Star, Combat Infantry Badge, and numerous other medals.
After 3 years of military service, Mr. Whitley attended and graduated from Wake Forest University Law School. Upon graduation, he started his law practice in Salisbury, North Carolina, where he has been continuously practicing since 1973. Mr. Whitley still enjoys counseling people on their legal matters and primarily focuses on traffic tickets, driver's license restorations, and DMV hearings.
When not at the office, you can find Cecil cutting down a tree on his property, feeding his animals, assisting Veterans' groups, and assisting with local youth softball programs. He is happily married to his wife, Nan, and they have two children, Alex and Adrian, and four grandchildren.
Honors, Awards, Associations
- The John B. McMillan Distinguished Service Award (2016)
- The Citizen Lawyer Award (2022)
- The Chief Justice’s Professional Certificate Award (2023)
- 50 Year Lawyer Certificate (2023)
- Member of Fulton Masonic Lodge #99
- US Army
- 1st Lt.
- Combat veteran
- Vietnam
- Infantry
- Has written a number of manuscripts on motor vehicle law and professionalism and has presented the same at several continuing legal education seminars
- Manuscript topics include suspensions, revocations, restorations, medical reviews, reformation of the division of motor vehicle driving records, limited driving privilege, driving while impaired license restoration hearings, and multiphase permanent license restoration hearings, including habitual felony while impaired restoration hearings and expunctions.