Construction Law & Litigation Attorneys in Raleigh and Durham, NC
Construction projects are built on more than plans and specifications. They are built on contracts, relationships, timelines, and financial commitments that must align for a project to succeed. Manning Fulton helps clients establish that foundation from the outset and stands ready to protect their interests when challenges arise.
Our construction attorneys represent the full spectrum of construction-industry participants, including owners, developers, general contractors, subcontractors, architects, engineers, lenders, suppliers, sureties, and insurance companies. Because we regularly advise parties across every role on a project, we understand the risks, pressures, and objectives that shape construction disputes from every side of the table.
Whether we are negotiating contracts for a new development, resolving a payment dispute, enforcing lien rights, or trying a complex construction case, our goal remains the same: help clients protect their investments, keep projects moving forward, and achieve practical business outcomes.
What We Do
Construction Contract Planning and Drafting
The strongest position in any construction dispute is the one established before a dispute ever arises. Our attorneys draft, review, negotiate, and advise on the agreements that govern construction projects, helping clients allocate risk clearly, define responsibilities, and reduce the ambiguities that often lead to costly disputes later.
We assist clients with:
- Owner-contractor agreements
- General contractor and subcontractor agreements
- Architect and engineering agreements
- Design-build contracts
- Supply and procurement agreements
- AIA and AGC contract documents
- Contract amendments and change-order provisions
- Risk allocation and indemnification provisions
Sound contract planning is one of the most effective forms of dispute prevention. By addressing potential issues before construction begins, we help clients minimize uncertainty and protect their interests throughout the life of a project.
Despite careful planning, disputes are common on construction projects particularly in challenging economic conditions. When they do arise, our attorneys bring both legal knowledge and practical litigation experience to craft a cost-effective resolution strategy tailored to each client’s situation and goals.
Construction Litigation, Arbitration, and Dispute Resolution
Manning Fulton represents construction industry clients in:
- Trials and appeals before North Carolina’s federal, state, and administrative courts and boards
- Arbitration
- Mediation
Our litigation experience spans the full life of a project from issues at a project’s inception to claims of extra work, acceleration, warranty defects, contractor termination, and insolvency.
We have represented clients in disputes involving:
- Bonds and insurance claims
- Breach of warranty
- Change orders
- Claim avoidance and resolution
- Contract termination
- Defective installation
- Delay claims
- Design error
- Foreclosures
- Lien claims
- Materials failure
- Performance and payment bond claims
- Project scope disputes
Mechanic’s Liens and Payment Claims
Mechanic’s liens remain among the most significant and heavily litigated issues in North Carolina construction law.
Chapter 44A of the North Carolina General Statutes sets specific technical requirements for perfecting and enforcing a statutory lien. North Carolina courts have consistently held that failure to strictly comply with those requirements defeats the claimant’s rights in the project, and a failure to comply can jeopardize valuable rights and remedies. Our attorneys regularly assist contractors, subcontractors, suppliers, owners, and lenders with preserving, enforcing, and defending mechanic’s lien claims and related payment disputes.
Our experience includes:
- Filing mechanic’s liens
- Filing notices of liens on funds
- Prosecuting lien claims
- Defending against lien claims
- Payment bond claims
- Lien priority disputes
- Construction-related collections
Early involvement of experienced construction counsel is critical both for claimants seeking to secure payment and for owners and lenders defending against improperly perfected claims.
Who We Serve
Our construction law and litigation clients include:
- Owners and developers managing project risk from financing through completion
- General contractors and subcontractors navigating contract negotiation, payment disputes, and lien claims
- Lending institutions financing construction projects and protecting their security interests
- Construction managers, architects, and engineers facing design error, warranty, or professional liability claims
- Sureties and insurance companies handling bond and insurance claims arising from construction projects
- Suppliers seeking to enforce payment and lien rights when contractors fail to pay
Partner With Manning Fulton
From contract planning and project development to dispute resolution, arbitration, and trial, Manning Fulton provides construction-industry clients with practical counsel backed by substantial litigation experience.
We work to prevent disputes where possible, resolve them efficiently when they arise, and aggressively protect our clients’ interests when litigation becomes necessary. If you are facing a construction-related issue or want to evaluate potential risks before a dispute develops, contact our team for an early assessment of your situation.
