Overview:

Appellate Practice

Our Firm has experienced appellate attorneys who have represented clients on appeal in hundreds of state and federal cases, including the Fourth Circuit Court of Appeals and the United States Supreme Court. We have a thorough understanding of the appellate rules of procedure and can help clients navigate the complexities of an appeal. Our experience sets us apart, as our attorneys make strategic use of the appellate courts to represent our clients’ interests. We are available to assist clients beginning at the appeals stage.

Business and Commercial Litigation

In addition to advising our clients on business matters, our attorneys regularly litigate business and commercial cases. Our experience includes pursuing and defending claims involving breach of contract, breach of fiduciary duty, employment issues, partnership disputes, professional liability, trademark issues, unfair and deceptive trade practices, as well as matters arising under the Carmack Amendment and Uniform Commercial Code. We have litigated commercial claims in federal and state courts, before arbitration panels, and in the North Carolina Business Court.

General Civil Litigation

The attorneys in our practice have over a hundred years of experience in civil litigation. Using this breadth of experience, we vigorously defend and pursue claims related to professional liability, products liability, construction litigation, real estate broker liability, employment litigation, and personal injury and wrongful death.

Insurance Coverage

Our lawyers evaluate insurance coverage issues and provide advice to insurance carriers on claims handling and analysis. These issues may involve both first-party and third-party claims, as well as personal and commercial policies. We are often retained to provide coverage opinion letters and also proactively seek resolution of coverage issues through litigating declaratory judgment actions.

Insurance Defense

A substantial portion of our practice arises from the representation of both insurers and their insureds in all types of litigation. We are panel counsel for many insurance companies and handle virtually every type of lawsuit for which insurance might be applicable. Our insurance defense experience includes:

  • Arson and Insurance Fraud
  • Construction Accidents
  • Employment Defense
  • Motor Vehicle Accidents
  • Municipal Liability
  • Personal Injury and Property Damage
  • Premises Liability
  • Product Liability
  • Professional Errors and Omissions (including medical professionals, architects, engineers and lawyers)
  •  Trucking Accidents

Municipal and Public Entity Representation

Our attorneys regularly defend counties, municipalities, and public officials against claims of all kinds. We also provide advice and guidance to public entity clients on a full range of issues, from advising sheriff’s deputies on traffic stop practices, to serving in the capacity of Town Attorney. Our experience allows us to keep clients from common pitfalls and aggressively defend their rights.

Real Estate Transactions

Our attorneys can work with you on residential real estate transactions, from working with your bank or finance company to title searches to closings. Our lawyers work closely with buyers and sellers of real estate. It is our goal to ensure that the closing process is smooth, friendly and efficient. We can assist you with the following legal services:

  • Contract review and drafting
  • Residential real estate closings
  • Refinancing and equity lines
  • Seller financing
  • Title examinations and title searches

Small Business Issues and Business Formation

Our attorneys provide advice and counsel to small businesses on a number of issues, including business formation, corporate governing documents, annual meeting minutes, regulatory issues, buy-sell agreements, contract negotiation, and insurance concerns. We aim to provide practical advice to our clients in an efficient, cost-effective manner.

Toxic Torts and Asbestos Litigation

Our attorneys serve both as statewide counsel for a Forbes Fortune 500 company and national coordinating counsel for a North Carolina company involved in asbestos litigation. Our attorneys have extensive experience in defending mesothelioma (and other asbestos-related disease) claims against manufacturers, suppliers and vendors.

Transportation and Trucking

Our lawyers represent large and small trucking companies on behalf of numerous national insurance companies and directly as self-insureds. We have handled all types of truck accident litigation, including multi-vehicle and fatality litigation. We provide a 24/7 emergency response to clients with urgent needs following a catastrophic accident. We work directly with risk managers, adjusters and engineers to investigate the accident, including preserving physical and electronic evidence, taking driver and witness statements, and managing relations with law enforcement.

If you have an immediate need for legal support following an accident, call the Rapid Response Team hotline at [phone number] and you will be connected with an experienced attorney with access to independent adjusters, accident reconstructionists, criminal defense attorneys, and other industry experts.

Wills, Advanced Directives and Powers of Attorney

Our attorneys will work with you to form and implement a plan to preserve and distribute your estate, based upon your individual needs and preferences. We also assist with setting up an end-of-life decision-making plan. As part of our practice, we prepare wills, trust agreements, and various powers of attorney for clients. We also assist with advanced directives, known as “living wills,” and health care powers of attorney.

Workers’ Compensation

When an employee is injured on the job or suffers a workplace-related injury, workers’ compensation laws entitle the employee to compensation from the employer. Our lawyers defend businesses and insurance carriers and represent injured employees in Workers’ Compensation matters. Shannon Warf Wilson is a Board-Certified Specialist Workers’ Compensation by the North Carolina State Bar.