Campbell Law Alumni Business Spotlight: Deb Rasmussen ‘23
Deb Rasmussen ‘23 was an entrepreneur for 15 years before she attended Campbell Law School. So, it should come as no surprise that she decided to take the leap to hang out a shingle and start her own law firm in Apex. Prior to law school, she was an entrepreneur in the personal publishing and scanning business and later worked as a real estate and estate planning paralegal for Jonathan Richardson. That’s where she discovered her passion for estate planning. After law school, Rasmussen clerked for former Chief Judge Donna Stroud ‘88 of the North Carolina Court of Appeals and worked as an associate attorney for the Stam Law Firm in Apex. In May 2024, she founded her own law firm, Rasmussen Law PLLC, which focuses on estate planning. Rasmussen earned a bachelor’s degree in Linguistics with minors in Chinese and Japanese from Brigham Young University in Provo, Utah. She is a member of the North Carolina Bar Association, the J. Reuben Clark Legal Society and the Apex Chamber of Commerce. She and her husband, Lars, love North Carolina and are the proud parents of four children. When she’s not helping her clients, she enjoys people, swimming, Asian food, karaoke and AI.
Q: How did you feel your experience at Campbell Law prepared you for your career?
A: I had a great experience at Campbell Law School: great professors, great classmates and an amazing campus in a fantastic location. I could not have asked for a better start for my legal career. As a non-traditional student, I was pleasantly surprised at how my fellow classmates included me in their circle and supported me. I could not have made it through without them and we continue to support each other in our new careers. For example, the idea to have a grand opening with a ribbon-cutting came from one of my classmates, Adia McLaughlin ’23. Because of this one little idea, 70-plus people from the community (including many from my Campbell Law family) came to celebrate the opening of my firm. I will forever be grateful that Adia’s suggestion, and her belief that I needed to be celebrated. We are no longer the best kept secret in Apex!
Q: What is your new law firm’s mission?
A: My mission is protecting families and preserving their legacies. At the heart of Rasmussen Law is the Life & Legacy Planning Session, Rasmussen explained in an article in the Cary Spotlight. “Here, clients learn about the implications of their current estate plans, or lack thereof, and are presented with options tailored to their family’s needs and budget. For parents of minor children, the firm offers a Kids Protection Plan, which includes short-term guardian designations to prevent children from ever being left in the care of strangers.” The Family Care Plan ensures that estate plans remain up-to-date, and clients have continuous access to Rasmussen as their Personal Family Lawyer. This plan also includes an annual Family Legacy Interview, preserving family stories and values alongside legal preparations. Rasmussen’s vision is clear: to offer not just legal services, but a legacy of family security and peace of mind.
Q: Describe how you started your firm and its specialties.
A: Rasmussen Law, PLLC, offers more than just legal documents; it provides a personal touch that prioritizes comprehensive family care and legacy preservation. “Most people don’t realize that just having a will in place does not protect their family from opening a probate proceeding when they die,” explains Rasmussen. This public and often costly process can be avoided with proper advance planning. Rasmussen Law’s unique approach ensures that clients not only receive necessary legal documents but also a thorough understanding of how the law interacts with their personal plans. More than just documents, we take our clients through a process where they learn exactly how the state of North Carolina will interact with each of their assets. As a result of this process, they get clarity and are more financially organized than ever.
Q: You recently held a grand opening for your firm. What are some of your plans for the future of the firm?
A: I hope to balance my time between serving my clients and educating the community. There are some basic things that cause estate plans to fail, and I want to make sure people have the resources to plan something better for their families. I hope to add more like-minded attorneys to my practice in the coming years. Almost 70% of the people you and I know, even people we love, do not have an estate plan and would not love the alternative plan North Carolina has for them known as “dying intestate.” Two of my four children are considering becoming attorneys in the future, so hopefully they will join me one day, too. I also look forward to launching our intern program next year. For more information about Rasmussen Law, PLLC, visit this link to Rasmussen Law.
Do you know a Campbell Law alumna/alumnus who has started their own firm within the past decade and would like to be featured in a Campbell Law Spotlight? Please send their name and the firm’s name to Director of Communications and Marketing Lisa Snedeker at lsnedeker@campbell.edu.