HESTER & TUCKER - Key Persons
Job Titles:
- Assistant
- Life Member of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc
- Partner, 2007
Damian L. Tucker was sworn in as an Assistant District Attorney for Nash, Edgecombe and Wilson Counties (Seventh Judicial District) in September 1998. He prosecuted cases from routine traffic matters to violent felony cases, including homicide cases. After three years as a prosecutor, he joined the law firm of Hester & Tucker, PLLC in 2001. In 2007, he became a partner in the firm which is now Hester & Tucker, PLLC.
Damian's sole concentration is defending the criminally accused in the Seventh Judicial District. He also has handled some matters in civil, child support and small claims courts. During this period of his practice, he has resolved thousands of traffic matters and misdemeanors at the District Court level. Also, Damian has successfully defended clients charged with serious felony charges at the trial level. He has extensive jury trial experience to include cases involving traffic and misdemeanor offenses, as well as the most serious drug and "violent" felony offenses, including homicide cases. He is also a board certified specialist in state criminal law.
Damian L. Tucker has been a lifelong resident of Nash County. He currently lives in the Dortches, NC community with his wife, Chandra, who is a veterinarian, and sons, Nicholas and Jacob.
He has always been involved in his community in an effort to make it a better place to live. He makes it a priority to speak at the local schools to educate youth on how choices can affect their future goals.
He also has spoken at Saint Augustine's College (Raleigh, NC), North Carolina Central University School of Law (Durham, NC), and participated with the TEEN COURT program in this district.
Damian is a life member of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc. and has served as general counsel for the Middle Eastern Province of Kappa Alpha Psi since 2011.
Etta Barkley began employment with Joe Hester in 1997 after being employed with Hardee's Food Systems, Inc./Fast Food Merchandiser, Inc. as Risk Management Manager bringing 18 years of legal and customer service experience to the firm.
Known for her strong organization and communication skills, she interacts with clients, court personnel, DMV Hearing Officers and attorneys from other law firms. She processes information for the firm's court cases, speaks with clients by phone, processes charges and is responsible for all out-of-county and out-of-state citations.
She is the liaison between the out-of-state and out-of-county attorneys and DMV Hearing Officers and the client. She has been married for 42 years with two children and two grandchildren.
Practice Areas
Practice Areas
Henry Neese began practicing law in 2016. He began his career with Tharrington Smith in Raleigh, NC. After practicing for approximately one year in Wake County, Henry joined the firm of Hester & Tucker in 2017. Henry handles a wide variety of cases in Nash, Edgecomb and Wilson Counties. He represents clients in both district and superior court. In addition, Henry has handled domestic violence matters in civil court.
For the past 13 years, Henry has coached youth league baseball. Also, he is involved with the Broughton Gridiron Club and the Camp Seagull We Build People Campaign.
Joe Hester began practicing law in 1977 as an Assistant Solicitor (now Assistant District Attorney) in the Seventh Judicial District serving Nash, Edgecombe and Wilson Counties.
He joined the law firm of Moore, Diedrick, Whitaker & Carlisle in 1979 and later became a partner in the reorganized firm of Moore, Diedrick, Carlisle & Hester. He left the firm in 1999 and together with Thomas J. Moore II formed the partnership Hester & Moore, PLLC. Joe continues to practice today with Damian L. Tucker as Hester & Tucker, PLLC.
Joe's practice has consisted of criminal defense in the Seventh Judicial District in both the District and Superior Courts. He has handled thousands of cases, both felonies and misdemeanors. Joe is known by many of his peers as one of the most experienced DWI trial attorneys in the district. He is a board certified specialist in state criminal law.
Joe was chosen in 1996 by Governor James B. Hunt to become the first chairman of the newly established Clean Water Management Trust Fund. With the support of President Pro Tem Mark Basnight and Governor Beverly Perdue, he lead the Trust Fund from its beginning to become one of the most important state water preservation and conservation organizations in the nation. He was reappointed to the board by Governors Easley & Perdue and remained on the board until July 31, 2013. He also served as President and member of the Board of the Pamlico Tar River Foundation for many years. Joe was also appointed to the Coastal Resources Commission by Governor Perdue and served until July 31, 2013.
For many years, Joe has been an active supporter of community athletic programs in the surrounding areas. He has coached youth sports teams in baseball and softball but primarily Babe Ruth baseball for over 20 years. He now coaches the 13u and/or 15u Northern Babe Ruth team. Visit our Facebook page during the season.
Perla Palacios joined the firm in December 2011, with seven years of prior experience with two local law firms. Bilingual in both English & Spanish, she serves as a Legal Assistant to Joseph Hester and the Case Manager for personal injury cases for the firm. two local law firms.
A certified NC Notary Public, she is known by her clients and colleagues as an effective problem solver with a "can do" attitude.
She has a wonderful son named Jeshua, born in 2008.
Practice Areas
Practice Areas