Steven L. Gourley

Steven Gourley is a litigator who has argued on behalf of clients in courtrooms across North Carolina. As an attorney at Stewart, Schmidlin, and Bullock PLLC., he represents clients in civil and criminal matters. Renowned as an energetic, fair, and clear-eyed steward of justice, he brings the highest level of legal service and advocacy to every client. Steven knows that not every case requires a courtroom proceeding, but he prepares every case for that possibility.

Mr. Gourley grew up in McLeansville, North Carolina, where his neighbors farmed tobacco, worked in cigarette factories and textile mills, drove long haul freight, or owned small businesses. Steven learned their virtues and challenges, and has used that knowledge with great success while arguing on behalf of clients who seek relief and justice through the law.

Steven’s previous legal experience includes work as a Student Associate for the MSU Civil Rights Clinic while he was a student at Michigan State University College of Law. There, he represented clients with constitutional cases involving excessive force by law enforcement and unfair and cruel treatment during incarceration. After law school, Steven worked with a firm to swiftly handle the BP Oil Spill Settlement. When the settlement concluded, Mr. Gourley became a Clifton Everett Staff Attorney Fellow for Legal Aid of North Carolina. He spent six years as a Staff Attorney for Legal Aid, advocating for the rights of clients in some of North Carolina's most impoverished counties. His work to win legal protections for victims of domestic violence clients led him to become an Assistant District Attorney representing the State of North Carolina for two years before coming to Stewart, Schmidlin, and Bullock PLLC.