Attorney Stephen C. Dinkel

Stephen Dinkel is a personal injury attorney at the Law Offices of James Scott Farrin who is committed to giving clients care and focused representation to help them heal and restore their lives.

Shaped by Hardship, Driven by Empathy

Born and raised in Albuquerque, New Mexico, Stephen’s childhood instilled in him the values of adaptability and gratitude as his family navigated the challenges of divorce, frequent moves, and housing instability. Stephen was an engaged student and athlete, but he injured his hip in high school and underwent the first of several major surgeries. Undeterred, he switched from sports and continued to be an active student in the DECA (Distributive Educational Clubs of America) business program and show choir.

Stephen attended the University of New Mexico where he majored in Political Science and minored in Earth and Planetary Sciences. Always intrigued by the law, Stephen became interested in public policy during college. After graduation, he embarked on a career in the political realm working on campaigns and public policy at a public relations and marketing firm. For almost a decade, Stephen oversaw and executed campaign finance and regulatory compliance, conducted policy position research, substantiated advertising claims, and supported business operations for high-profile political candidates and committees.

The Defining Journey to Law

Stephen’s path to becoming an attorney was deeply personal. He was involved in an automobile accident which led to additional hip surgeries, testing his patience, perseverance, and outlook. Throughout his personal injury case and recovery, Stephen’s attorney handled the insurance negotiations and remained by his side every step of the way. This care and compassion inspired Stephen to attend law school so he could “pass it on” and help other injured people seek justice while they healed.

Stephen pursued his law degree at Campbell University, Norman Adrian Wiggins School of Law, earning his J.D. in 2022 – ten years after graduating from college. Moving to North Carolina was a cross-country endeavor involving his wife, their two German shepherds, and their three-month-old son. Returning to school as an older student with a small child was a significant challenge, requiring him to learn how to be a student again, but he knew it was the right course for him.

Advocacy in Action: Leveraging Experience

Following law school, Stephen worked for a New Mexico firm, handling aspects of civil litigation – including insurance defense, wrongful death cases, and contract disputes – from initial client intake through pretrial resolution. His “other side” insurance defense experience helps him identify and counter any insurance company delay-and-deny tactics as he pursues maximum compensation for his clients.

Stephen’s extensive work experience in the political realm provided him with certain transferable skills that he uses routinely in his role as a personal injury attorney. Now, as he advocates for his clients, he relies on his research abilities to seek out all possible sources of compensation and on his claims handling skills to investigate liability issues. He also believes one of his greatest strengths is his ability to help clients feel comfortable during trying situations – just as his attorney did for him years ago.

Stephen understands firsthand that navigating personal injury cases can be intimidating and difficult, and now he is dedicated to standing by people when they need it most.

Grounded in Family and Service

Stephen finds his greatest inspiration in his family as a supportive and caring husband and father to his son and daughter. He also aims to be a steward of his community and is currently a board member for the City of Raleigh Museum, providing strategic guidance to preserve and promote Raleigh’s history and culture.

In his free time, Stephen enjoys golf (though he wishes he were better), spending time with his family, and has recently discovered a love for duck pin bowling and NC State volleyball. An avid sports enthusiast, he is also a dedicated fan of the Atlanta Braves, Georgia Bulldogs, and the Minnesota Vikings.