Gary K. Shipman

Gary K. Shipman


Shipman & Wright, LLP

Recognized since 2007

Wilmington, North Carolina

Practice Areas

Consumer Law

Mass Tort Litigation / Class Actions - Plaintiffs

Medical Malpractice Law - Plaintiffs

Personal Injury Litigation - Plaintiffs

Product Liability Litigation - Plaintiffs

Lawyer of the Year Badge - 2024 - Medical Malpractice Law - Plaintiffs Lawyer of the Year Badge - 2022 - Medical Malpractice Law - Plaintiffs Lawyer of the Year Badge - 2021 - Personal Injury Litigation - Plaintiffs
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Gary grew up in Wake County, North Carolina, and attended the Wake County public schools. He received his undergraduate degree at UNC-Wilmington and his J.D. from Campbell University School of Law. He is a Board Certified Civil Trial and Pre-Trial Specialist by the National Board of Trial Advocacy, and has tried more than 100 jury trials to verdict. He has been listed among the ”Best Lawyers in America” since 2007, having been named “Lawyer of the Year” for the years 2020-2024 in the field of medical malpractice. In 2013, he was recognized by North Carolina Lawyers’ Weekly as part of their “Leaders in the Law” and in 2025, was recognized by North Carolina Lawyers' Weekly as a "Legal News Maker. He has served on the Board of Trustees at UNC-Wilmington, and presently serves on the Board of Visitors at Campbell University School of Law. Gary is the recipient of the State of North Carolina’s highest civilian honor, the Order of the Long Leaf Pine

Gary specializes in complex litigation, including professional negligence, personal injury, products liability, consumer class actions, construction defects and mass torts. He has served as lead or co-lead counsel in various national and state wide class actions, and is a frequent lecturer on issues ranging from trial advocacy skills to products liability.

Gary is an Agent/Certified Contract Advisor in both the NFL and NBA, and is an NCAA certified basketball agent, and is an adjunct faculty member at his alma mater, Campbell University School of Law, where he teaches sports law. Gary is married to his wife, Mary Jo, and they have three children: Brandon (Connor), Khale (Jazmine) and Bryce, and 4 grandchildren.

Contact & Links
Location
  • 575 Military Cutoff Road, Suite 106
    Wilmington, NC 28405
Education
  • Campbell University, J.D., graduated 1980
  • Campbell University, graduated 1980
Bar Admissions
  • North Carolina, North Carolina Bar Association, 1980
Affiliations
  • Sports Lawyers Association - Member
  • Campbell University School of Law - Board of Visitors
  • North Carolina Association for Justice - Member
  • University of North Carolina at Wilmington - Former Member, Board of Trustees
Court Admissions
  • United States District Court, Eastern District of North Carolina
  • United States Supreme Court

Lawyer of the Year Badge - 2024 - Medical Malpractice Law - Plaintiffs Lawyer of the Year Badge - 2022 - Medical Malpractice Law - Plaintiffs Lawyer of the Year Badge - 2021 - Personal Injury Litigation - Plaintiffs
Named "Lawyer of the Year" by Best Lawyers® for:
  • Medical Malpractice Law - Plaintiffs, Wilmington, NC (2024)
  • Medical Malpractice Law - Plaintiffs, Wilmington, NC (2022)
  • Personal Injury Litigation - Plaintiffs, Wilmington, NC (2021)
Recognized in The Best Lawyers in America® 2025 for work in:
  • Product Liability Litigation - Plaintiffs
  • Personal Injury Litigation - Plaintiffs
  • Medical Malpractice Law - Plaintiffs
  • Mass Tort Litigation / Class Actions - Plaintiffs
  • Consumer Law
Special Focus:
  • Mass Tort
Awards:
  • Super Lawyers - North Carolina
  • Addison Hewlett Pro Bono Award
Additional Areas of Practice:
  • Trade Secrets Law
  • Sports Law
  • Natural Resources Law
  • Qui Tam Law
  • Professional Malpractice Law - Plaintiffs
  • Litigation - Trusts and Estates
  • Litigation - Real Estate
  • Litigation - Construction
  • Land Use and Zoning Law
  • Insurance Law
  • Environmental Law
  • Government Contracts
  • Education Law
  • Closely Held Companies and Family Businesses Law
  • Corporate Governance Law
  • Construction Law
  • Commercial Litigation
  • Civil Rights Law
  • Banking and Finance Law
  • Aviation Law
  • Appellate Practice
  • Administrative / Regulatory Law

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Publications

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