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A Durham native and life-long resident of the Triangle area, Judd is the Managing Partner of Manning Fulton where he has spent more than 25 years representing clients ranging from Fortune 50 companies to closely held businesses in a wide variety of complex litigation and transactional matters involving everything from bet-the-company lawsuits to the negotiation of complex agreements.
Thanks to invaluable mentoring from senior partners such as Howard Manning and John McMillan, coupled with his wealth of experience, strategic insight, and tireless commitment to his clients and their issues, Judd has earned a reputation as a trusted and respected litigator both inside and outside the courtroom. When not working, Judd can be found enjoying North Carolina’s many treasures with his wife and three sons.
About
With a litigation practice that extends well beyond the Triangle area, Judd represents a wide variety of clients in complex business, condemnation|eminent domain, franchise, and real property litigation matters. In addition, several of Judd’s clients have utilized him as their outside general counsel, and he is also certified as a Superior Court Mediator by the State of North Carolina Dispute Resolution Commission.
Judd has been named by his peers and clients as a “Local Litigation Star” by Benchmark Litigation, the definitive guide to America’s leading litigation firms and attorneys. Benchmark Litigation is the culmination of extensive annual research, including comprehensive interviews with litigators and their clients, an examination of recent casework, and solicited professional and peer reviews. His status as a “Local Litigation Star” is a recognition by colleagues, clients and the broader market that he is “consistently reputable and effective,” and that he “plays a vital role in Manning Fulton’s bench strength.” In addition, Judd is honored to have been repeatedly selected by his peers for inclusion in The Best Lawyers in America® in the areas of Real Estate Litigation, Commercial Litigation, Eminent Domain and Condemnation Law, Franchise Law, Land Use and Zoning Litigation, Appellate Practice, Construction Litigation, Construction, and Tax Litigation and Controversy for inclusion in North Carolina Super Lawyers as one of North Carolina’s top rated attorneys in the areas of Business Litigation, Construction Litigation, and General Litigation, and for inclusion in Business North Carolina Magazine as one of North Carolina’s Legal Elite in the areas of Business Litigation, Construction Law, and Litigation. North Carolina Lawyers Weekly recently recognized Judd as a “Managing Partner to Watch” for his commitment to Manning Fulton and the Raleigh community, and featured him in the 2024 Construction Power List which recognizes leading construction law attorneys across the state. Along with this honor, Who’s Who Legal recently named Judd a leading practitioner in franchise law. He also holds Martindale-Hubbell’s highest “AV” peer rating, which recognizes attorneys who have reached high level of skill and integrity.
A big believer that members of the legal profession have an obligation to give back to the communities in which they work and live, Judd currently serves on the North Carolina Bar Association’s Professionalism Commitee and Litigation Section Council, and the Wake County Bar Association/Tenth Judicial District Bench-Bar Committee, and is the former Chair of the Board of Trustees of Follow the Child Montessori School, as well as a former member of the North Carolina Rules Review Commission and the Carolina Ballet Board of Directors.
Credentials
Education
- Campbell University School of Law – J.D. – 1998
- University of North Carolina – B.A. in Political Science (Minor in History) – 1995
Admitted to Practice
- State of North Carolina
- Supreme Court of the United States
- United States Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit
- United States Court of Appeals for the Eighth Circuit
- United States District Courts for the Eastern, Middle and Western Districts of North Carolina
Professional Memberships & Activities
- North Carolina Bar Association
- Professionalism Committee
- Litigation Section Council
- Past Co-Chair, Litigation Section Ethics Committee
- Construction Law Section
- American Bar Association
- Litigation Section
- Tort Trial and Insurance Practice Section
- Title Insurance Litigation Committee
- Real Estate Litigation Committee
- Construction Law Section
- Wake County Bar Association
- Wake County/Tenth Judicial District Bench-Bar Committee
- Tenth Judicial District Grievance Committee (2017-2019)
- Wake County/Tenth Judicial District Professionalism Committee (2013-2015)
- Fee Dispute Resolution Committee (2010-2015)
- Public Service Committee (2002-2005)
- North Carolina Rules Review Commission (2006-2007)
- Tenth Judicial District Professionalism Committee (2001-2005)
- Ex Officio Member, Board of Directors, BarCARES of North Carolina, Inc. (2002-2004)
- Rated “Future Star” by Benchmark Litigation (2026)
- Recognized in The Best Lawyers in America© (2012-2027)
- Appellate Practice, Commercial Litigation, Construction Law, Eminent Domain and Condemnation Law, Franchise Law, Banking and Finance Litigation, Construction Litigation, Land Use and Zoning Litigation, Real Estate Litigation and Tax Litigation and Controversy
- Recognized in Business North Carolina’s “Legal Elite” for Litigation and Construction (2014-2019, 2021-2026)
- Recognized in North Carolina Super Lawyers (2014-2026) for Business Litigation, Construction Litigation, General Litigation
- Selected to Rising Stars (2009-2013)
- Recognized by Lexology Index (formerly Who’s Who Legal) Franchising Recipient (2023-2026)
- Recognized by North Carolina Lawyers Weekly as a “Managing Partner to Watch” (2023) and on the Construction Law “Power List” (2024)
- Martindale-Hubbell Peer Review AV Rating™
Representative Matters
Business Litigation
- Lead trial counsel for an out of state financial institution in a $15 million lender liability lawsuit that was tried to jury verdict in the United States District Court for the Middle District of North Carolina resulting in a finding of no liability on any of the counts asserted against the financial institution.
- Lead counsel for former executive in a breach of fiduciary duty and unfair and deceptive trade practices claim in which former business partner sought damages in excess of $50 million which resulted in summary judgment in favor of the former executive.
- Lead counsel for an out of state financial institution in a $4 million lender liability lawsuit resulting in a dismissal of claims asserted against the financial institution, which was affirmed by the North Carolina Court of Appeals and North Carolina Supreme Court.
- North Carolina counsel for the largest tobacco company in the United States in a dispute with State of North Carolina over “non-participating manufacturer” adjustments to payment obligations under the Master Settlement Agreement between tobacco companies and 46 states.
- Lead counsel for former owners of gas station property in eastern North Carolina in breach of contract, environmental and other various tort claims arising from the sale of the gas station which resulted in summary judgment in favor of the former owners.
- Lead counsel for investor group in claims against investors alleging, among other things, wrongful foreclosure of property, fraud and unfair and deceptive trade practices which resulted in summary judgment in favor of the investor group.
Construction Litigation/Construction Law
- Lead counsel for developer/owner of hotel in a construction defect claim involving more than 20 construction and insurance parties and more than $5 million in damages resulting from defective construction.
- Represented numerous owners, lenders, sellers, purchasers, developers, architects, general contractors and subcontractors in the drafting and negotiation of development and construction contracts on commercial projects ranging from a few thousand dollars to more than $400 million.
Franchise Litigation
- Lead counsel for national franchisor in numerous lawsuits around the United States in claims ranging from a few thousand dollars to more than $200 million.
- Lead counsel for large multi-unit franchisee against a multinational franchisor in a franchise dispute resulting in favorable settlement for the franchisee in excess of $10 million.
- Lead counsel for national franchisor in claims by multiple franchisees for fraud and breach of contract resulting in summary judgment in favor of franchisor.
Condemnation
- Trial counsel for shopping center owner in condemnation proceeding involving the City of Greensboro, NC DOT and the Federal Highway Administration resulting in a jury verdict that was approximately $800,000 more than the condemning authorities’ valuation.
- Represented multiple landowners and tenants in condemnation/eminent domain proceedings involving the State of North Carolina, local municipalities and private condemnors in connection with highway improvement projects, airport expansion projects, and utility service construction/expansion projects across North Carolina.
- Represented several generations of family members against a local airport authority in connection with an airport expansion project which resulted in a very favorable settlement for the family.
Property Tax Litigation
- Represented the second largest technology company in the world in multiple appeals before multiple North Carolina County Boards of Equalization and Review, the North Carolina Property Tax Commission and the North Carolina Appellate Courts in appeals establishing principles governing valuation of computer equipment in North Carolina involving computer equipment valued at over $5 billion and resulting in tax refunds in excess of $8 million.
- Represented corporate taxpayer in improper garnishment and attachment proceeding resulting in consent judgment requiring taxing authority to refund over $700,000 to taxpayer plus interest.
Community Engagement
Follow the Child Montessori School, Inc.
- Chair, Board of Trustees (2010-2016)
North Carolina Rules Review Commission (2006-2009)
Carolina Ballet
- Board of Directors (2007-2013)
I9 Sports – Youth Flag Football Coach