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Judson (“Judd”) Welborn is Manning Fulton’s Managing Partner and a seasoned trial lawyer known for handling high-stakes, “bet-the-company” litigation and complex business disputes. For almost 30 years, he has represented clients ranging from individuals and closely held businesses to Fortune 50 companies in business, eminent domain, franchise, real property, and construction litigation matters.
Clients and colleagues alike turn to Judd when the pressure is highest. He is trusted for his strategic judgement, integrity, sound counsel, and unwavering commitment to guiding clients through their most challenging legal and business crises.
About
A Durham native and lifelong Triangle resident, Judd combines his deep legal experience and pragmatic business insight with a tireless commitment to client advocacy. In addition to his litigation practice, Judd serves as outside general counsel to several of his clients and is a certified Superior Court Mediator by the North Carolina Dispute Resolution Commission.
Judd is honored to have earned consistent recognition from peers and clients, including being named a Benchmark Litigation “Local Litigation Star”, inclusion in The Best Lawyers in America® across multiple practice areas, and recognition by North Carolina Super Lawyers and Business North Carolina as one of the state’s “Legal Elite.” He was also named a “Managing Partner to Watch” by North Carolina Lawyers Weekly in two of the past three years and was included on its 2024 Construction Power List.
Judd serves on the North Carolina Bar Association’s Professionalism Committee and Litigation Section Council, as well as the Wake County Bar Association/Tenth Judicial District Bench-Bar Committee. His prior civic leadership includes serving as Chair of the Board of Trustees of Follow the Child Montessori School in Raleigh, on the North Carolina Rules Review Commission, and on the Carolina Ballet Board of Directors.
Outside the office, Judd is happiest outdoors where his wife and three sons are often humored by his unreasonable belief that he still has his college-era athleticism (a belief his sons enthusiastically challenge).
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