John A. Cocklereece, Jr. concentrates his practice on property tax appeals, general business law, tax controversy law, and estate planning and administration law. John has practiced law in Winston-Salem for more than 35 years. John began his legal career with Womble, Carlyle, Sandridge & Rice and was a partner in several smaller law firms in Winston Salem before joining Bell Davis Pitt in 1998.
John's principal areas of practice are: [1] handling appeals of real and personal property tax values with County tax offices and the North Carolina Property Tax Commission; [2] general business representation, including the formation and dissolution of business entities, the sale, purchase, and financing of businesses, and the drafting and review of all types of business agreements; [3] tax controversy matters, including resolving return and payment disputes with the IRS and North Carolina Department of Revenue; and [4] estate planning and estate administration.
John co-authors The NC Property Tax Law Monitor with Justin Hardy, and the Estate Planning Law Blog with Virginia Pleasants. John is active as a community volunteer. He currently serves as a member of the board of trustees of the Forsyth Tech Community College and a member of the Board of the Forsyth Tech Community College Foundation. He previously served on the boards of the Winston-Salem Industries for the Blind, the Winston-Salem Public Assembly Facilities Commission and the North Carolina Eye Bank. Born and raised in Greensboro, John received both his undergraduate and law degrees from Washington & Lee University in Lexington, Virginia, where he played football and was named an Academic All-American. His wife, Gina, is a lifelong banker in Winston-Salem.
Bell, Davis & Pitt, P.A.
100 North Cherry Street, Suite 600
Winston-Salem, NC 27101