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Find Lawyers in North Carolina, United States for Commercial Litigation
Practice Area Overview
Litigation increasingly occurs in various venues, from state and federal courts to private arbitrations and administrative hearings. Proceedings can involve business-to-business disputes or any number of government agencies. Understanding the motivations and outlook of each of the litigation participants is important for determining weak points to exploit and strong points that will persuade the audience in question. During the past decade, commercial litigators have seen a dramatic uptick in multidistrict and inter-disciplinary litigation, making the stakes higher, the cases more complex, the parties more numerous and the discovery more complicated and unwieldy. Firms that are able to develop and implement a creative legal approach to each individual problem, efficiently focus on the key legal and factual issues, and master and manage the various aspects of these complex matters will be the busiest in the years to come.
In the current challenging economic climate, commercial litigators are under increasing client pressure to keep costs in check, which has both sides testing the efficacy of alternative fee arrangements and the scope of reasonable discovery. Whether the “death of the billable hour” is ultimately realized, the keys to a commercial litigator’s success will continue to be strong client relationships, thought leadership, practical management skills, deep experience, and personal commitment.
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Daniel Adams represents individuals, small businesses, and large corporations facing white-collar criminal prosecution, government investigations, and complex business litigation. Having litigated for years in New York, he brings significant trial experience to bear when confronting clients' most pressing legal challenges. Daniel represents individual and corporate clients facing white-collar criminal prosecution in state and federal court, as well as regulatory investigations pursued by the ...
Jimmy Adams is a versatile and seasoned litigator with more than 30 years of experience in arbitrations and in federal and state courts. Jimmy represents clients on dispute and litigation issues related to noncompetition agreements, taxation, health care, professional malpractice, ERISA and estate litigation, and all types of corporate and commercial disputes. He is an accomplished litigator who is very familiar with the process, strategy and custom at the trial and appellate levels. His goal...
Scott Addison has a track record of success representing national corporations, large regional hospital systems, physician practices, banks, and entrepreneurs as both plaintiffs and defendants. He practices at both the trial and appellate levels and has a growing mediation practice.Scott is licensed to practice law in North and South Carolina, and he is a North Carolina Certified Superior Court Mediator. He received his undergraduate degree from Davidson College in 1998, where he was a member...
David Allen practices in litigation in a variety of industries. He has been trying lawsuits for more than 30 years with close to 100 juries empaneled during that time. He regularly represents pharmaceutical and medical device companies, manufacturing and chemical companies, local governments, physicians and hospitals, and corporations in complex business litigation in federal and state courts throughout the region. Mr. Allen also represents excess carriers on high value matters, both actively...
Hill Allen is a partner in the firm and handles a broad range of civil and criminal litigation. His practice areas and past cases include: White Collar Criminal Defense and Government Investigations, criminal, civil and regulatory – defending those under investigation or charged by federal and state law enforcement and administrative agencies. Mr. Allen has represented entities and individuals in investigations by federal grand juries in North Carolina and other states, as well as feder...
Mike Allen dedicates his practice to protecting clients’ rights and assets, including their contract rights, intellectual property rights, shareholder rights, and estate rights. His rare blend of experience in negotiating, contracting, counseling, and litigation helps him provide meaningful insight to clients at all stages of their business relationships. Mike’s goal is to protect client interests without the need for litigation, but with more than 35 years of dispute resolution e...
Julia Ambrose provides transactional and regulatory counsel to media companies navigating the rapidly-changing video programming industry. She is also an experienced litigator, well-versed in commercial and constitutional litigation in all levels of state and federal trial and appellate courts. Technology is evolving rapidly, but the laws and regulations governing broadcast television have not always kept pace. Julia has significant experience helping media companies and broadcast trade assoc...
Dennis Bailey has over 30 years of litigation experience. He has handled a broad range of litigation matters through trial and appellate review, including medical malpractice defense, business and banking disputes, premises liability claims, and serious personal injury claims. He also represents health care professionals in licensing board matters. Prior to starting Waldrep Wall Babcock & Bailey PLLC, Dennis was a partner at Wall Babcock LLP and prior, Carruthers & Bailey, P.A., a Win...
Edward L. Bleynat, Jr. began his legal career by clerking for James G. Exum, Jr., then the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of North Carolina. Cutting hsi trial teeth at a major Greensboro business litigation firm. In 1995, Ed relocated to Asheville, to continue his law practice and to raise his family in Western North Carolina where he grew up. Ed and Joe Ferikes merged their practices into Ferikes & Bleynat, PLLC in 2001. Ed is actively involved in a variety of church, civic, and comm...
Bobby Bowers is a civil litigator who regularly represents and counsels clients with complex commercial disputes. Bobby has considerable experience in real estate and construction-related matters, eminent domain proceedings representing property owners, manufacturer-distributor relationships, fiduciary litigation arising from wealth transfers and trust and estate administration, equipment lease disputes, and railroad equipment matters including car hire enforcement and end-of-lease/return con...
My practice is a mix of business litigation and insurance cases. I regularly represent clients in state and federal courts throughout NC in business disputes. Typical claims are: breach of contract, tortious interference with contract, unfair competition, fraud, defamation, negligence, breach of fiduciary duty, unfair and deceptive trade practices, and other statutory violations. I have represented both policyholders and insurers in insurance coverage disputes. I also represent dentists in ma...
Jenna's practice experience encompasses various areas of civil litigation in both the federal and state courts and before the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority. She advises clients and litigates cases involving all forms of commercial disputes, including contract breaches, business disputes, fraud, and securities litigation. Her practice also involves various forms of trusts and estates litigation, including will caveats, trust modification, and fiduciary duty litigation. Prior to joini...
Jon is a civil litigator who primarily practices in the areas of complex business litigation, construction litigation, lien disputes, and disputes between developers, design professionals, general contractors, and subcontractors. He represents a variety of local contractors and subcontractors in drafting and reviewing construction contracts, advising on risk management, liability, and employment-related issues, and litigating disputes. Jon has significant experience litigating cases to verdic...
Joe Carruthers brings over 40 years of litigation experience to Waldrep Wall Babcock & Bailey PLLC, most recently as a partner with Wall Babcock LLP and prior, Carruthers & Bailey, P.A., a Winston-Salem-based firm that he started with Dennis Bailey in 2001. He has handled and will continue to manage a broad range of litigation matters through trial and appellate review, including medical malpractice defense, business and banking disputes, wrongful death, serious personal injury, and p...
Adam Charnes focuses his practice on appellate, constitutional and complex business litigation. Mr. Charnes has extensive experience in cases pending in federal and state courts of appeals across the nation, including the United States Supreme Court. He also has been responsible for a broad range of business litigation matters, including contract, business torts, environmental, copyright and other commercial litigation. He regularly represents clients in constitutional litigation and in class...
David Coats is the firm's co-managing partner and senior litigation partner. He has been recognized by and peer selected for each of the past 14 years for inclusion in The Best Lawyers in America ; Business North Carolina Magazine's Legal Elite ; and North Carolina Super Lawyers - and in a variety of areas including litigation, construction law, and insurance law. Since 1996, Martindale Hubbell has recognized David with its prestigious "AV" peer rating. In 2021 (as well as in 2019 and 2020), ...
A Board Certified Specialist in appellate practice, Charles Coble handles complex business litigation and appeals across a range of courts and jurisdictions. He has represented businesses and individuals in a wide variety of matters at the trial and appellate levels, including bet-the-company litigation, franchise disputes, intellectual property matters, and class actions. Among other honors and awards, Charles is recognized as a "Band 1" practitioner in Litigation: Appellate by Chambers USA ...
Eric David focuses his practice on business litigation, constitutional litigation, and media and communications law. Eric represents businesses, public agencies, and individuals in high-stakes litigation in federal and state court, and especially the North Carolina Business Court. A seasoned litigator, Eric represents large and small businesses in complex litigation, particularly in federal court and the North Carolina Business Court. Eric has experience in a myriad of matters, including trad...
Kearns Davis is an acclaimed courtroom advocate, a veteran of both high-profile cases and sensitive matters resolved confidentially. A former federal prosecutor and a Fellow of the American College of Trial Lawyers, he has tried jury cases at all levels of federal and North Carolina trial courts, and he represents clients in U.S. trial and appellate courts across the country. His clients have included public companies, private businesses, elected officials of both major parties, Hall of Fame ...
Matt DeAntonio is a business litigator who helps his clients navigate complex commercial disputes. His clients range from multinational corporations to closely held companies. He has tried multiple cases to jury verdict and has appeared in state and federal appellate courts. Matt brings a strategic, problem- solving approach to litigation and works tirelessly to achieve results that advance his clients’ business needs. A significant portion of Matt’s practice involves representing...
Thurston Debnam is one of the founding partners of Smith Debnam Narron Drake Saintsing & Myers, L.L.P. Thurston is the Section Head of the Business Law practice group and served as the firm’s managing partner from 1992 through 1997. He concentrates his practice in the areas of business and corporate planning and real estate law, including land use planning and zoning. For more than thirty years, Thurston has maintained a broad-based business practice, assisting clients with business...
The euphemism “fire in the belly” speaks to me. I feel it every single day. I care. Seriously. I really care. Every win, honor, accomplishment, success or achievement in my career is the result of sheer determination, hard work and the belief that failure is not an option. “Fire in the belly” cannot be bought. I am not even sure it can be taught or generated. I just know I have it. I love what I do. Not many people can honestly say that. I approach every single case di...
Bill leads the Litigation Practice Group and his practice experience encompasses civil litigation in both the state and federal courts. He has represented clients in a broad variety of complex construction, business, and commercial disputes. His civil litigation experience includes depositions, pre-trial and dispositive motions, mediations, arbitrations, jury trials, and appeals. Other areas of his litigation practice include insurance coverage disputes, personal injury, agribusiness litigati...
Brad leads the Agribusiness Practice Group and his practice experience encompasses various areas of civil litigation in both the federal and state courts. He has experience in all aspects of civil litigation, including depositions, hearings, mediations, arbitrations, jury trials, and appeals. Brad advises clients and litigates cases involving all forms of commercial, business, estate, and intellectual property disputes. He regularly represents contractors, subcontractors, and suppliers in con...
Richard L. Farley serves as deputy counsel to the firm. Richard helps businesses and their owners across industries avoid and solve the problems, disputes and controversies that can impact their bottom lines. He counsels clients on managing risk in the structuring of contracts and transactions to avoid disputes. When disputes arise, he works closely with his clients to develop appropriate strategies for litigation or voluntary resolution in light of their business goals and potential risks. R...
John Floyd brings considerable experience to his cases with an extensive background in commercial real estate and construction matters, shareholder and corporate governance, and complex commercial disputes. John’s clients include commercial real estate developers, private equity firms, manufacturers, international financial institutions, and other large corporations located throughout the United States. Regardless of the subject matter, John takes a practical approach to dispute resolut...
Shana Fulton represents businesses and individuals in criminal and civil litigation, under government investigation or in conducting internal investigations. As a defense attorney and former Assistant U.S. Attorney, she has experience litigating and investigating high-profile and complex matters at all levels of federal and state trial courts. She loves using her deep experience as a defense attorney and federal prosecutor on complex matters that feature a mix of criminal, civil and regulator...
Kris Gardner maintains an eclectic legal practice that is focused primarily in local government law, litigation and alcoholic beverage control law. He is a native North Carolinian and grew up in Charlotte, where he attended the public schools. Kris began his career at Tharrington Smith as an office courier after graduating college. He was offered several jobs but selected Tharrington Smith because, even though the interview was brief, he quickly realized the close community of people who work...
Nicole Gardner practices employment law and represents a broad range of businesses and senior executives. She provides business advice and counsel, represents clients in litigation and acts as a mediator in state and federal employment cases. Nicole has been recognized for excellence by her peers, being consistently listed in Business North Carolina’s “Legal Elite,” as well as “Super Lawyers,” and “The Best Lawyers in America.” Nicole advises and coun...
Doug Grimes focuses his practice in the areas of intellectual property litigation, commercial litigation, business torts, and other complex civil litigation, with significant trial experience in state and federal courts. He regularly handles intellectual property disputes involving trademarks, copyrights, patents and trade secrets. He also litigates a wide variety of other civil disputes, including products liability, construction, and personal injury claims.
Noah H. Huffstetler, III is the managing partner of Nelson Mullins Riley & Scarborough’s Raleigh office. He practices in the areas of healthcare law, administrative law, and business and appellate litigation. Mr. Huffstetler is a lecturer in healthcare law, having participated in programs sponsored by the North Carolina Bar Association, the North Carolina Hospital Association, the North Carolina Medical Society, and the Duke University Graduate Program in Healthcare Administration.
Mike Kaeding is a trial lawyer who regularly represents both plaintiffs and defendants in a wide range of complex, high-profile litigation, including antitrust, commercial, financial services, intellectual property, white collar criminal and technology cases. Mike has tried cases to verdict and regularly serves as a trial instructor for Emory University’s nationally recognized Trial Techniques program. He was named a Litigation Future Star by Benchmark Litigation. Although based in Nort...
Lori Keeton has been practicing law in North Carolina since 1998. She regularly represents individuals, businesses and municipalities in civil actions in both state and federal courts. In addition, she regularly assists her clients with contract negotiations and disputes.Ms. Keeton also utilizes her twenty years of litigation experience to assist companies in minimizing their litigation risks. She offers clients a full analysis of their current risk level based upon, among other things, their...
Ken is a litigator who focuses his practice on employment and compliance matters , including issues arising under Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), the Family Medical Leave Act (FMLA), the Age Discrimination in Employment Act (ADEA), Wage and Hour claims under the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA), North Carolina’s Retaliatory Discrimination Act (REDA), the Occupational Safety and Health Act, as well as employment contract disputes, and ...
Rich Keshian has extensive experience in civil litigation, concentrating in product liability and business litigation. He is a certified mediator and arbitrator. Mr. Keshian has represented numerous clients in the automotive and furniture industries and other manufacturing industries regarding product liability issues. Mr. Keshian is also an adjunct professor at Wake Forest School of Law. During law school, Mr. Keshian was an Editor of the Vanderbilt Law Review . Mr. Keshian has regularly bee...
Bailey King is a litigation partner and trial attorney with over a decade of experience representing businesses in the areas of intellectual property, trade secrets, securities fraud, and other complex commercial disputes. He has tried numerous cases, including bet-the-company matters, to verdict. Recognizing that businesses often prefer to avoid trial, Bailey also uses his trial experience to counsel clients on litigation avoidance strategies and to negotiate favorable settlements prior to t...
Bob King has more than 30 years of experience in a variety of litigation and environmental matters, and has been widely recognized as a leading litigator and trusted advisor by clients and peers. He also serves as the Firm's General Counsel and previously served as the Chair of the Firm’s Associates Committee. He has been honored by election as a Fellow in the American College of Trial Lawyers. Bob has extensive trial experience in state and federal proceedings, administrative actions, ...
Upon graduation from law school in 1980, Doug Kingsbery joined the firm of Tharrington, Smith & Hargrove in Raleigh, North Carolina, where he worked as an associate in the areas of education law and criminal defense. He was made Partner in 1985, and has developed an extensive litigation and trial practice which includes trial and appellate work in civil, criminal and administrative law. Over the past 28 years, he has tried dozens of civil and criminal jury trials in numerous state and fed...
Chris Lam is a business litigator who enjoys the responsibility of helping clients during challenging times and working to protect their businesses through either the defense or prosecution of claims. His professional accomplishments, leadership, and contributions to the community have been recognized by multiple publications and organizations. Chris has developed a diverse and successful litigation practice, representing both businesses and individuals, in disputes related to contracts, trad...
Beth Langley has over 25 years of experience counseling employers of all sizes in an assortment of employment law issues. She has represented businesses in employment litigation in matters involving civil rights, non-competition agreements, and trade secret protection. Beth provides advice and counsel to employers on a variety of employment law issues, including workplace employment compliance, executive compensation, trade secret protection, and employment agreements, including non-competiti...
Josh Lanning brings considerable trial and litigation experience to his cases with a wide-ranging background in complex commercial disputes. Josh has tried and won numerous cases to jury verdict and has successfully argued state and federal appeals in areas ranging from constitutional law to securities entitlements. Josh focuses his practice on class action defense, antitrust and commercial litigation, including matters involving state and federal antitrust laws; complex contractual disputes;...
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