Goodrich Thiel

Goodrich Thiel is a native of North Carolina and joined John Cox Law in July of 2024. He received a Bachelor’s degree in English from the University of North Carolina at Greensboro and a Juris Doctorate from Elon University Schoool of Law, where he graduated cum laude and received the 2021 North Carolina Advocates for Justice Award. While at Elon Law, he completed a residency in the Guilford County District Attorney’s Office.

In his spare time, Goodrich enjoys spending time with his wife and two children, playing guitar, and running.

Roger Rizo

Roger Rizo was born and raised in Miami, Florida, as the son of Cuban immigrants and a proud first-generation American. He is fluent in Spanish. He moved to North Carolina to attend Wake Forest University School of Law, where he earned his Juris Doctor in 2011. After graduating, he chose to make Alamance County his home and has remained committed to serving the people of North Carolina ever since.

For more than a decade, he served as an Assistant Public Defender in Guilford County, representing thousands of clients in a high-volume criminal defense office. His experience spans the full spectrum of criminal law, from misdemeanor offenses to the most serious felony cases. Throughout his career, he has been dedicated to protecting the constitutional rights of his clients while advocating with professionalism, integrity, and compassion.

Outside the courtroom, he is deeply committed to his family and his community. He enjoys spending time with his wife and their two children, coaching youth soccer and baseball, and gardening.

Laura Isley

Laura joined John Cox Law in February, 2015. She assists with all aspects of the firm along with keeping the office running smoothly and acting as an additional liaison between clients and our law office.

Laura is a native of Alamance County, NC. She is the mother to a wonderful seven month old baby girl who is her inspiration in everything she does. She also enjoys trips to the beach and lake and spending time with friends and family. She is a licensed North Carolina Notary Public and a member of the Alamance County Paralegal Association.

Saira Diaz-Lopez

Saira graduated from Barlett Yancey High School in 2013. She is a native of Veracruz, Mexico and grew in Mexico until the age of 10 years old. She speaks Spanish and English and helps many of our Hispanic clients. She began her journey in Criminal Law in 2015. She became part of the team in January 2020, her strong organizational skills are an asset to the firm.

In her spare time, she enjoys riding horses, mountain biking, hiking, and training at the gym. She is the proud mother of 3 furry dogs.

She is a licensed North Carolina Notary Public.

Lori Woodard

Lori Woodard, a graduate of the American Institute of Paralegal Studies, began her career in the legal field in 1990. She worked in family law and estate planning for 12 years before earning a master's degree in Professional Counseling and obtaining licensure as a clinical mental health counselor. Lori met John W. Cox while serving as a treatment provider on the Alamance County Drug Court team where John served as counsel. In September 2019, Lori's love of the law and her desire to help people in crisis led her back to employment with the John Cox team. She works diligently with firm administration and client services.

Lori is a native of Alamance County. She enjoys spending her leisure time with her granddaughters, cooking, reading, yoga, and gardening.

She currently has 9 cats; however, this number can fluctuate wildly depending on the weather, seasonal reproductive activities and the local dog population. She frequently denies being labeled as, "That crazy cat lady," or, alternatively, "The crazy cat lady." Inquiries in this regard should be lodged with neighbors in the Whitsett area.

Caroline Cox

Caroline Cox graduated from the University of North Carolina Wilmington in 2026 with a bachelor’s degree in Communication Studies. She is an aspiring attorney currently applying to law school this fall.

Originally from Graham, North Carolina, Caroline moved to Greensboro in 2015 and has spent many years in and around the legal field, where she developed a strong interest in the practice of law. She looks forward to continuing her legal education and building a career as an attorney.

Outside of her professional pursuits, Caroline enjoys shopping and spending time with friends and family. Caroline is also a North Carolina Notary Public.

Jimena Rodriquez Jimena Rodriguez joined the firm in June 2026, assisting the attorneys with case management while helping guide clients through the legal process. A native of Alamance County, North Carolina, Jimena completed two years of undergraduate study at Elon University and is continuing her education at the University of Virginia, where she is majoring in Legal Studies. She plans to attend law school after earning her bachelor’s degree and is passionate about building a career in the legal profession. As a bilingual team member fluent in English and Spanish, Jimena enjoys helping clients communicate confidently and navigate their legal matters with greater ease. Outside of the office, she enjoys spending time with family and friends, traveling, and exploring new places.

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