Sarah Beth Withers, founder of Inner Banks Legal Services, is a Board Certified Consumer Bankruptcy Law Specialist dedicated to bridging the justice gap in Eastern North Carolina. She focuses her practice on Chapter 7 and Chapter 13 bankruptcy cases, representing consumers and advocating for their financial rights and well-being.
Sarah Beth began her career in bankruptcy law at The Sasser Law Firm, starting as a receptionist, where she witnessed the transformative impact of legal representation. Her passion for the legal field grew, and during law school, she served as a judicial extern to the Late Honorable Randy D. Doub, Chief Judge for the United States Bankruptcy Court for the Eastern District of North Carolina. This experience deepened her commitment to serving the community.
Throughout her career, Sarah Beth has held various roles, including staff attorney for a Chapter 13 Trustee, consumer attorney, and representing creditors in private practice. These experiences have given her a well-rounded understanding of the complexities of bankruptcy law. In 2017, she founded Inner Banks Legal Services to ensure that affordable legal representation is accessible to everyone, regardless of income.
In addition to her work at the firm, Sarah Beth is a co-founder of the North Carolina Consumer Bankruptcy Rights Coalition, which advocates for consumer debtors and upholds the integrity of the bankruptcy system. Her work has been featured in co-authored articles for The NACTT Academy for Consumer Bankruptcy Education and the Eastern Bankruptcy Institute. Sarah Beth was honored as part of the American Bankruptcy Institute’s “40 Under 40” class in 2021, a recognition of her dedication to the legal field and her clients.
Sarah Beth is also actively involved in legal education, providing training through the National Association of Consumer Bankruptcy Attorneys and other organizations. She is a member of the Eastern North Carolina Inn of Court, where she collaborates with fellow legal professionals to promote ethics, professionalism, and excellence in the practice of law.
Degrees
- Florida Coastal School of Law, Juris Doctor
- North Carolina Wesleyan College, Bachelor of Arts in Psychology and Criminal Justice
Admissions
- North Carolina State Bar, 2013
- United States District Court, Eastern District of North Carolina, 2013
- United States Bankruptcy Court, Eastern District of North Carolina, 2013
Publications
- Engaging a Non-Profit to Solve the Chapter 13 Trustees PSLF Conundrum The NACTT Academy for Consumer Bankruptcy Education (March 8, 2020)
- Application of Harris and Fields, Chapter 13 Update Eastern Bankruptcy Institute (May 1, 2015)
Awards
- National Association of Consumer Bankruptcy Attorneys - Distinguished Service Award (2023)
- American Bankruptcy Institute "40 Under 40" (2021)
- "Rising Star” in Consumer Bankruptcy by Super Lawyers (2019 – 2022)
- North Carolina Pro Bono Honor Society (2019 – 2022)