We uphold the highest standards of honesty, professionalism, and sound judgment. Integrity shaped our founders and it continues to guide every relationship and decision we make.
About Manning Fulton
Built on tradition. Equipped for what’s next.
- On this page:
- About Us
- Mission & Values
- Our Story
The strength of Manning Fulton is a deep bench of attorneys who deliver sophisticated, client-focused counsel every day. We serve as trusted outside counsel to family-owned and closely held businesses. We act as fierce advocates for our clients, protecting their interests and helping them navigate an ever-changing business landscapes. We pair this depth with a modern, solutions-driven approach, bringing big-firm capability with the agility growing businesses require.
Our Mission
The mission of Manning Fulton is to deliver steady, strategic counsel that stands the test of time and evolves with our clients. We combine deep legal experience with practical judgment and responsive service to help clients navigate change, protect what they’ve built, and move forward with confidence.
Our Core Values
1
Integrity
2
Excellence
We bring rigor, clarity, and subject-matter expertise to every matter. Our work is measured, precise, and grounded in deep legal experience.
3
Collaboration
We believe the best outcomes emerge from the collective strength of our team. Clients benefit from direct access to senior attorneys and seamless collaboration across practice areas.
4
Respect
We honor the trust clients place in us by treating their priorities with care and their legacy with respect. We help protect what our clients built and prepare them for what comes next.
5
Client Focus
We invest deeply in understanding our clients’ goals and challenges. Our counsel is shaped by attentiveness, practical insight, and a commitment to delivering solutions that serve their interests.
Our Story
It Started with a Handshake
Manning Fulton began with a handshake in a Wake County courthouse corridor. From that moment, Howard Manning, Charles Fulton, and William Skinner built a firm founded on rigor, honesty, and a devotion to the people and businesses that came to rely on their counsel. They believed the practice of law demanded seriousness, discipline, and a responsibility that extended far beyond the work entrusted to us.
Those convictions still shape the firm today. For decades, we have worked alongside the organizations that drive North Carolina’s economy, offering steady guidance through growth, transformation, and moments of profound change. We invest deeply in our clients’ goals, always approaching their challenges with the same diligence and care we would expect ourselves.
While the legal and economic landscape has evolved dramatically, the principles that define Manning Fulton remain constant. These core values inform our judgment, strengthen our collaborations, and reinforce the trust at the heart of every client relationship.
Our Founding Partners
The core values established by our founders remain the foundation of our firm. As we help clients navigate today’s challenges and prepare for tomorrow’s opportunities, our founders serve as an enduring reminder of the legacy they built.
Howard Manning carried forward a remarkable legal legacy. His grandfather was among the founders of the UNC School of Law, and the building that once housed the law school has his name. After graduating from Harvard Law School and serving four years in the U.S. Army, Howard built a distinguished legal career defined by unwavering integrity, sound judgment, and steadfast advocacy.
He earned the trust of clients and the respect of colleagues throughout his career. As one peer famously remarked, “He’s a first-class lawyer. You can’t scare him and you can’t buy him.” Those who worked with Howard knew him as a principled attorney whose professionalism was matched only by his commitment to doing what was right.
Howard’s entrepreneurial spirit and decisive approach to practicing law helped shape the firm’s foundation. Grounded in practical judgment and guided by confidence, strength, and integrity, he approached every challenge with a forward-thinking perspective that continues to influence the firm’s culture today.
Howard passed away in 2002 at the age of 88, leaving behind a legacy of exceptional legal service and uncompromising character that remains an enduring part of the firm’s history.
Charles “Charlie” Fulton rose from humble beginnings in the mountains of Appalachia to become one of North Carolina’s most respected real estate attorneys. Following his service in the U.S. Navy, he made his way to Raleigh, where he built a distinguished legal career and established himself as a trusted authority in real estate law.
Throughout his career, Charlie was known for his disciplined, thoughtful approach to counsel. Clients and colleagues alike valued his steady judgment, meticulous attention to detail, and unwavering commitment to delivering practical, effective legal guidance. His reputation for precision and professionalism helped shape the firm’s longstanding tradition of trusted client service.
Charlie retired in 2007, leaving behind a legacy rooted in integrity and enduring relationships. His commitment to excellence continues to reflect the values that define the firm and guide its attorneys today.
William “Bill” Skinner, a native of Elizabeth City, dedicated his career to helping individuals, families, and businesses navigate complex tax and estate planning matters. After serving in the U.S. Navy during the Korean War, including a deployment to Italy where he developed a lifelong appreciation for opera, especially soprano Renata Tebaldi, Bill returned to North Carolina and built a distinguished legal career recognized for his client focus and trusted counsel.
Known for his collaborative and approachable nature, Bill believed that strong client relationships were the foundation of effective legal representation. His thoughtful guidance, adaptability, and genuine commitment to understanding each client’s unique needs earned him lasting respect from clients and colleagues alike.
Bill practiced law until his passing in 2013, leaving behind a legacy of exceptional client service, technical excellence, and personal connection. His dedication to building lasting relationships and delivering practical, trusted counsel continues to influence the firm’s culture and commitment to its clients.
For us, legacy is not a narrative or a story forgotten as times change. It is a standard we carry forward, strengthened by each new generation of lawyers who uphold the same commitment to excellence with purpose and pride.
Manning Fulton is Built for These Times.
Nationwide Reach, Carolina Roots
The first office of Manning, Fulton and Skinner was located in the historic Capital Club Building in downtown Raleigh. In those early days, large overhead fans offered welcome relief from North Carolina’s summer heat.
In 1986, the firm relocated to the fifth floor of Glenwood Plaza, just inside Raleigh’s Beltline, spending nearly four decades serving clients and growing alongside one of the nation’s fastest-growing regions.
As the Triangle continued to expand, so did our presence. Manning Fulton opened a Durham office in 2015 on the historic American Tobacco Campus, overlooking the Durham Bulls Athletic Park. Today, our Durham attorneys serve clients throughout the region, from the heart of one of North Carolina’s most vibrant business communities.
In September 2026, our Raleigh office entered its next chapter with a move to the GlenLake Office Park near Crabtree Valley Mall. Our new headquarters is designed to support collaboration, attract top talent, and better serve our clients. Manning Fulton continues to evolve while remaining deeply rooted in the community where it began.
The Accessibility and Adaptability That Growing Businesses Need
Manning Fulton’s team features a powerful mix of local legal leaders and elite lateral attorneys hailing from some of the nation’s most prestigious powerhouse firms. We serve as a trusted advisers for clients who value continuity, discernment, and the disciplined judgment of experienced counsel. Clients gain the benefit of counsel who work efficiently, think strategically, and remain a scalable partner as client organizations evolve.