Member, North Carolina Bar Association
Bilingual attorney experienced in helping Spanish speakers get quality representation
1st generation American
Attorney Edward J. Ortega
Edward J. Ortega joined the Law Offices of James Scott Farrin in 2024 and practices personal injury law, helping people seek justice and compensation for their injuries. He’s a hardworking and compassionate advocate for those in need, and he knows how many clients feel when at the mercy of a system they don’t understand.
Born in Puerto Rico, Raised in Charlotte
Edward’s parents are from the Dominican Republic, but he was born in Puerto Rico. His family relocated from San Juan to Charlotte when he was very young, with his mother intending to become a lawyer. She changed direction, but the path seemed meant for Edward.
As a child, it was clear that Edward was a reader and an information sponge. With his parents not speaking English, he was the family translator. If a bill needed paying, he was the one to handle it. If something needed to be explained, he would explain it.
Edward went to school in Charlotte before completing his undergraduate studies at Appalachian State University in Boone.
The Will to Keep Going
Inspired by his mother, Edward attended Elon University School of Law in Greensboro, NC. As if the grueling demands of law school were not enough, he and his wife lived in Charlotte, and he had to commute to and from school three hours each day. A tireless and engaged student, he still made time to be Secretary of the Hispanic and Latin Law Student Association, Secretary of the Federalist Society, a member of the Criminal Law Society, and a participant in the Intramural Moot Court Competition.
To top it all off, he and his wife discovered they were having their first child during this time.
From Family Law to Personal Injury Law
Edward spent time as a law clerk with a personal injury firm, completed a residency with a corporate law firm, and took a position practicing family law upon receiving his law degree. He was primarily focused on Spanish-speaking clients enduring family troubles, and he strived to help them understand what was happening in their cases, what he was doing to help them, and what to expect. Speaking to them in their native language provided great comfort and familiarity, even if they spoke English.
Ultimately, Edward returned to personal injury law, where he felt he could help people achieve clear, positive outcomes.
Striving to Do His Best
Effort matters. Edward is always looking for ways to try to be more efficient and productive. He’s supremely motivated by trying to get the best possible results he can help his clients achieve.
Outgoing and Going and Going
When he’s not hard at work for clients, Edward is hard at play with family. His parents still live in Charlotte, and his younger sister chose to attend his alma mater in Boone. He enjoys being outdoors with his wife and daughter, hiking the Blue Ridge Parkway, whitewater rafting, and traveling to other countries to experience different cultures. He likes to learn as much about history and people as possible, no matter where he goes.