Originally from Black Mountain NC, Mavis graduated from UNC-Chapel Hill and Pepperdine School of Law.  In addition to being a lawyer, Mavis has extensive experience in conflict resolution and a Master of Dispute Resolution degree.

Mavis began her career as a mediation professional helping parties resolve conflicts both in person and in the virtual space (eBay). Later she practiced law at a busy, yet small practice representing homeowners in real estate transactions, personal representatives in estate administration, and individuals and couples in estate planning. She then joined the prestigious law firm BuckleySandler, LLP where she focused her energy on complex matters during the peak of the mortgage crisis.

In her practice, Mavis synthesizes her professional experiences as a lawyer and mediator with her passion for helping individuals and families maintain and grow wealth. She accomplishes this by dedicating her energy to assisting her clients with estate planning, estate administration, and heirs property matters. Mavis particularly appreciates working with clients who have low to moderate wealth because she is able to counsel them in planning and problem solving that meets critical needs. 

Mavis enjoys being active in the community. Currently, she serves as the chair of the boards of directors for Triangle Land Conservancy and Dispute Settlement Center. In addition, she was appointed by Governor Roy Cooper to the North Carolina Parks and Recreation Authority in 2018.

Mavis is passionate about access to the law. In 2016 she founded a series of community dialogues, Legal Sips, where community members were able to discuss legal issues  with area attorneys while enjoying a signature beverage.  The goal of Legal Sips was to provide community members with an opportunity to learn about legal issues that impact them and engage with the legal professionals who work on those issues.

Education and opportunities for multicultural engagement are also core values Mavis holds. In 2013, she and her sister founded the Gragg Family Fund, which hosts college prep workshops for parents and provides financial support for youth to travel including Outward Bound and abroad. Most recently, the two sisters founded Black Women Drone.