White & Allen’s C. Gray Johnsey Honored with NCBA’s Estate Planning Distinguished Service Award

White & Allen, P.A. is proud to announce that attorney C. Gray Johnsey has been awarded the 2025 Distinguished Service Award by the Estate Planning & Fiduciary Law Section of the North Carolina Bar Association (NCBA). Presented at the 46th Annual Estate Planning & Fiduciary Law Program in Kiawah Island, South Carolina, this prestigious honor recognizes Mr. Johnsey’s decades of exceptional service, leadership, and professionalism in the field of estate planning and fiduciary law.

A Board-Certified Specialist in Estate Planning and Probate Law and a Fellow of both the American College of Trust and Estate Counsel and the American College of Tax Counsel, Mr. Johnsey has built a statewide reputation as a trusted legal advisor, educator, and mentor. His advanced training—including an LL.M. in Taxation from the University of Florida—has positioned him as a leader in navigating complex estate, gift, and fiduciary tax planning matters.

Mr. Johnsey has served clients across Eastern North Carolina and beyond for more than four decades. He is known for his thoughtful, ethical approach to the law and his ability to handle even the most sophisticated estate and trust matters with precision and care. His clients, whether individuals, families, or financial professionals, benefit from his depth of knowledge and his steady, client-centered guidance.

“Gray is an example of what we all should aspire to be,” said longtime friend and colleague Jimmy Narron, who presented the award. “He just cares so much about estate planning—and about the bar and the bar association.”

As a charter member of the NCBA’s Estate Planning Section, Mr. Johnsey has been a pillar of the Section since its inception in 1979. He has served in numerous leadership roles, including as the inaugural Chair of the State Bar’s Specialization Committee for Estate Planning and Probate Law, where he helped author the very first exam for specialization certification in North Carolina. His contributions also include decades of service as a continuing legal education speaker and faculty member at the Southeastern Trust School at Campbell University, where he taught for over 30 years.

In addition to his professional excellence, Mr. Johnsey is deeply committed to civic and philanthropic service. He has served as both a trustee and Chairman of the Board of Trustees for Arendell Parrott Academy, a volunteer with Legal Aid of North Carolina, and a mentor to countless attorneys across the state—often unwittingly, whether in the courtroom, classroom, or even on the golf course.

His colleagues at White & Allen speak of him with deep admiration: “Gray has always led by example—with integrity, humility, and a profound sense of responsibility to his clients and the legal community. We are proud to work alongside him and celebrate this well-deserved recognition.”

At a time when clients increasingly seek experienced, ethical, and skilled counsel for their estate planning needs, Mr. Johnsey’s recognition is a testament to the high standards that define the work at White & Allen. His leadership continues to strengthen the firm’s ability to serve individuals, families, and institutions with compassion, clarity, and confidence.