Paul A Fanning

Paul A Fanning


Ward and Smith, P.A.

Recognized since 2011

Greenville, North Carolina

Practice Areas

Banking and Finance Law

Bankruptcy and Creditor Debtor Rights / Insolvency and Reorganization Law

Litigation - Bankruptcy

Lawyer of the Year Badge - 2021 - Litigation - Bankruptcy
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Paul leads the Creditors' Rights Practice Group and is certified by the American Board of Certification and the North Carolina State Bar as a Board Certified Specialist in Business and Consumer Bankruptcy Law. His practice experience encompasses bankruptcy, collections, creditors' rights, and lender liability. He concentrates his practice in the representation of creditors in complex bankruptcy cases and state court collection litigation, including workouts, reorganizations, and contested matters. Paul has represented lenders, trade creditors, farm equipment manufacturers, community associations, contractors and telecommunications companies in various reorganization proceedings, including commercial real estate, manufacturing, and wholesale and retail transactions. He is experienced in state court foreclosures and receiverships and other aspects of creditor-debtor litigation, including appellate advocacy. He has been rated by his peers as being "preeminent" in his fields of law.

Contact & Links
Location
  • 120 West Fire Tower Road
    P.O. Box 8088
    Greenville, NC 27835-8088
Education
  • Wake Forest University, J.D., graduated 1998
  • The University of North Carolina at Asheville, BA, graduated 1993
Bar Admissions
  • North Carolina, 1998
Affiliations
  • * Please see the following websites for an explanation of the membership standards for the following recognitions: - www.bestlawyers.com; businessnc.com/special-sections/legal-elite/; and www.superlawyers.com/north-carolina.
  • American Board of Certification - Sections: Business Bankruptcy; Consumer Bankruptcy
  • Boys & Girls Club of Pitt County - president 2008; board member 2005-2011
  • Cal Ripken, Sr. Foundation - Board of Trustees 2011-2012
  • Community Associations Institute - Member
  • Eastern North Carolina Inn of Court - Member
  • Greenville-Pitt County Chamber of Commerce - board of directors 2007-2009
  • Kiwanis Club of University City - vice president 2003-2004; board member 2001-2004
  • North Carolina Alliance of Boys & Girls Clubs - president 2014; secretary/treasurer 2011; board of directors 2007-present
  • North Carolina Bar Association - Section: Bankruptcy (council member 2005-2007)
  • North Carolina Creditors Bar Association - Member
Court Admissions
  • United States Bankruptcy Court for the Eastern, Middle, and Western Districts of North Carolina
  • United States Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit
  • United States District Court for the Eastern, Middle, and Western Districts of North Carolina
  • Supreme Court
  • All state courts in North Carolina

Ward and Smith, P.A.
Headquarters: New Bern, North Carolina

54 The Best Lawyers in America® awards

13 Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch® in America awards

Best Law Firms Badge Visit Website View Firm Profile

Lawyer of the Year Badge - 2021 - Litigation - Bankruptcy
Named "Lawyer of the Year" by Best Lawyers® for:
  • Litigation - Bankruptcy, Raleigh (2021)
Recognized in The Best Lawyers in America® 2025 for work in:
  • Banking and Finance Law
  • Bankruptcy and Creditor Debtor Rights / Insolvency and Reorganization Law
  • Litigation - Bankruptcy
Special Focus:
  • Bankruptcy and Workouts
  • Collections
  • COVID-19
  • Financial Institutions
Awards:
  • "Lawyer of the Year," Best Lawyers in America
  • NC Attorney Pro Bono Honor Society Inductee, NC Pro Bono Resource Center, 2021, 2020
  • "Top 100 Super Lawyers," Creditor Debtor Rights, North Carolina Super Lawyers, 2022-2024
  • "Super Lawyer," Creditor Debtor Rights, North Carolina Super Lawyers, 2009-2024
  • Chambers USA, Bankruptcy/Restructuring – North Carolina, 2019-2023
  • "Legal Elite," Business North Carolina, Bankruptcy, 2006-2008, 2010-2020, 2022-2024

  • Chambers USA 2019, Bankruptcy/Restructuring - North Carolina
  • The Best Lawyers in America, 2011-2019
  • "Legal Elite," Business North Carolina, 2006-2008, 2010-2019

  • "Super Lawyer," North Carolina Super Lawyers, 2009-2019

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Publications

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