The firmThe Bettis Law Firm, PLLC
Counsel begins with listening.
Clear counsel.
Personal attention.
When a legal concern disrupts your life, begin with a calm, direct conversation with the firm.
Contacting the firm does not create an attorney-client relationship. Please do not send confidential information.
New Bern office Available to help
Your first step
Begin with the right conversation.
Our virtual assistant can provide general legal education, collect basic contact information, and connect you with the firm.
or
Call the office(252) 649-1710A thoughtful first step
Local experience, direct communication, and a team that knows your name.
Led by attorney Lee Wilson Bettis Jr., the firm combines courtroom experience and public service with attentive office support. Begin with the general nature of your concern, choose how you would like to connect, and let the team guide the next step.
The people behind the firm
Experienced counsel. Attentive client care.
The Bettis Law Firm brings together legal experience, public service, disciplined preparation, and responsive day-to-day support for clients throughout the New Bern community.
01 · Founding attorney
Lee Wilson Bettis Jr.
Attorney at Law · Founder
Lee Bettis began his career in public service by enlisting in the United States Marine Corps at age 17. After his military service, he earned degrees in public administration and philosophy from Slippery Rock University of Pennsylvania and served as Special Assistant to Les Aspin, then chairman of the House Armed Services Committee and later Secretary of Defense.
After graduating from Brooklyn Law School, Lee worked in New York City with criminal defense attorney Gerald Shargel. He later made New Bern his home and has led The Bettis Law Firm since 2010. His practice includes criminal law, domestic law, traffic matters, and DWI defense.
Lee was elected mayor of New Bern in 2009. Away from the office, he and Kelly enjoy time with their son, boating, swimming, and caring for their rescue animals.
- United States Marine Corps
- Slippery Rock University
- Brooklyn Law School
- Former Mayor of New Bern
02 · Office leadership
Kelly-Marie Bettis
Office Manager & Paralegal
Originally from Texas, Kelly-Marie earned a degree in public relations and Spanish from NC State University. During college, she studied in Cuernavaca, Mexico, and later returned for nearly two years to continue studying Spanish and work at an orphanage.
Kelly-Marie also danced professionally with Carolina Ballet and built an early career in business operations. She joined The Bettis Law Firm in 2019 and now manages the office, supports the firm's legal work as a paralegal, and assists clients in both English and Spanish.
Outside the office, she enjoys her son's football and baseball games, animal rescue, and time outdoors with her family.
- NC State University
- Professional ballet background
- English and Spanish client support
03 · Client support
Stev'n Todd
Paralegal
Originally from Jackson, Alabama, Stev'n made North Carolina his home through his service in the United States Army. His military assignments included Fort Bliss, Fort Sill, and Fort Bragg, where discipline, teamwork, and accountability became lasting foundations for his work.
Stev'n joined The Bettis Law Firm in November 2025. As a paralegal, he supports the attorney and staff while helping the firm provide courteous, attentive, and dependable client service.
Outside the firm, he enjoys family time, coaching his son's youth sports teams, and supporting Alabama Crimson Tide football.
- United States Army veteran
- Paralegal since November 2025
- Youth sports coach
A disciplined beginning
Measured process. Clear human judgment.
The online experience is designed to help you reach the firm without replacing the careful judgment that belongs in a conversation with an attorney.
Listen before assuming
Start with the broad concern and the way you prefer to be contacted.
Keep sensitive details offline
Documents, detailed facts, and confidential information belong in the firm’s proper intake process.
Make the next step clear
Call directly, request an appointment, or ask for a callback from the team.
How it works
A simple path to the right conversation.
Begin without writing a detailed case narrative. The proper legal intake happens directly with the firm.
Choose new or existing client
The assistant immediately routes new clients and existing clients through separate, privacy-conscious paths.
Share only the basics
New clients may give a one-sentence general problem. Existing clients are not asked what service or matter is involved.
Speak with the firm
A member of the team can review the basic request, complete the proper intake process, and explain what happens next.
Direct. Considered. Human.
Your first contact should make the next step clearer.
Technology can make the firm easier to reach, but it does not replace legal judgment. The virtual assistant can explain general information from official sources, gathers only the basics for contact requests, and helps you reach a person.
01
No automated legal adviceQuestions about strategy, outcomes, deadlines, or documents go to the firm.
02
Minimal, safer intakeOnly basic contact and routing information is requested online.
03
A human next stepCall, request an appointment, or ask for a callback from the team.
Judgment belongs with peopleTechnology supports the first step. The firm guides what follows.
Contact the firm
Choose the way that works for you.
For immediate contact, call the office. To organize the basic information first, use the private intake assistant.
Office manager & paralegal
Kelly-Marie Bettis
The Bettis Law Firm
New Bern office
225-A Broad StreetNew Bern, NC 28560
Before you begin
Important questions, answered plainly.
No. The assistant may provide general legal education with links to current official sources, but it cannot apply law to your facts, evaluate a matter, predict an outcome, calculate a deadline, review documents, or give legal advice.
Ready when you are