Title Examination & Certifications
Title Examination & Certification Attorneys in North Carolina
During the firm’s seventy-year history, Manning Fulton has built an extensive library of back title information on multiple sites in the Research Triangle region of North Carolina.
Our real estate attorneys are trained in title searching techniques, which helps them evaluate a property’s title, identify title issues, and provide practical guidance in real estate transactions. The firm also employs experienced title paralegals, allowing Manning Fulton to provide strong service in title searches, certifications, and updates for clients, title companies, and attorneys.
Manning Fulton provides experienced title examination and certification services for real estate matters throughout North Carolina. Our attorneys and title paralegals work together to review title history, identify potential issues, prepare certifications, and support transactions with careful, efficient title and recording work.
Manning Fulton assists clients with title searches and title examinations for real estate transactions and property-related matters. Our attorneys draw on decades of experience, title searching techniques using best practices for the industry, and accumulated back title information to evaluate ownership history and title issues. Our work includes matters involving:
- Title searches and examinations for North Carolina properties
- Title examinations
- Review of ownership history (i.e., chain of title)
- Evaluation of title issues
Manning Fulton provides title certifications and updates for clients, lenders, title companies, attorneys, and parties involved in real estate transactions. Our team understands the importance of accurate, timely title work in helping transactions move forward. Our attorneys and title paralegals assist with:
- Title certifications for issuance of title policies
- Title updates
- Review of recorded documents
- Identification of title concerns
- Transaction-related title support
- Coordination with clients, title companies, and other attorneys
Our firm’s history gives our attorneys and title professionals an important resource when evaluating title work and title issues. Our work includes:
- Research using accumulated back title information
- Review of historical title materials
- Title analysis for properties in North Carolina
- Support for complex or long-running title issues
- Practical guidance based on local real estate knowledge
Manning Fulton can serve as title and recording counsel in real estate transactions throughout North Carolina. With computer access to register of deeds records in multiple counties and the ability to electronically record documents, our team can assist with title and recording matters beyond the Triangle area. Our attorneys assist with:
- Recording counsel services
- Electronic recording of documents
- Review of North Carolina County register of deeds records
- Title support for real estate closings
- Recording and documentation issues
- North Carolina real estate transaction support
Partner with Manning Fulton
Whether you need a title examination, title certification, title update, back title research, or title and recording counsel for a real estate transaction, Manning Fulton’s real estate attorneys are ready to help.
Who We Serve
Whether the matter involves a title search, title certification, title update, back title research, or recording support, Manning Fulton provides careful and experienced assistance designed to help real estate transactions proceed efficiently.
Manning Fulton provides title examination and certification services for a wide range of clients and real estate professionals, including:
Buyers
Buyers who need title review before acquiring real estate.
Sellers
Sellers addressing title issues before or during a real estate transaction.
Developers
Developers evaluating ownership history, title issues, or recorded documents for project sites.
Investors
Investors needing title diligence before acquiring or financing real estate assets.
Lenders
Lenders requiring title certifications, updates, or recording support for real estate financing.
Landlords & Tenants
Parties needing title or property-related review in connection with leasing or real estate transactions.
Related Professionals
Accolades
Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch® in America
Eight Manning Fulton attorneys were recognized in the 2027 edition of Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch® in America.
2027
Recognized attorneys
- Matthew Muntean - Business Organizations; Corporate Law; Mergers and Acquisitions Law
- J. Patrick Bailey, Jr. - Real Estate Law
- Angela C. Baldwin - Corporate Law; Mergers and Acquisitions Law; Trusts and Estates
- Cecilia Barreca - Business Organizations
- Chris N. Bobby - Closely Held Companies and Family Businesses Law; Corporate Law; Mergers and Acquisitions Law; Tax Law
- Lawrence D. Graham - Appellate Practice; Commercial Litigation; Real Estate Litigation
- Corinne E. O’Reilly - Business Organizations
- B. Zack Taylor, Jr. - Real Estate Law
Recognized by Chambers & Partners USA
Manning Fulton’s Commercial Real Estate Practice Group and four attorneys were recognized in the 2026 Chambers USA Legal Guide.
2026
Real Estate practice group selected for North Carolina (Band 3) in 2024-2026
Chambers recognized the following attorneys:
- Mike Medford - Insurance NC (Band 1)
- Barry Mann - Real Estate NC (Band 4)
- Alison Cayton - Real Estate NC (Band 4)
- Doug Short - Real Estate NC (Band 4)
Business North Carolina “Legal Elite”
Fifteen Manning Fulton attorneys were recognized in Business North Carolina’s 2026 “Legal Elite,” with three additional attorneys named “Legal Elite Young Guns.”
2026
Legal Elite
- Mike T. Medford - Antitrust & Complex Business Disputes
- William C. Smith - Bankruptcy
- Judson A. Welborn - Construction
- Jennifer L. Weaver - Corporate Law
- Thomas I. Lyon - Corporate Law
- William B. Gwyn - Corporate Law
- William S. Cherry - Employment
- Jessica B. Vickers - Litigation
- Alison R. Cayton - Real Estate Law
- Douglas J. Short - Real Estate Law
- Joseph B. Bass - Real Estate Law
- Jessica Elliott - Real Estate Law
- B. Zachary Taylor - Real Estate Law
- Sandra M. Clark - Tax & Estate Planning
- Steve T. Byrd - Tax & Estate Planning
- Chris Bobby
- Lawrence D. Graham
- Matthew P. Muntean
North Carolina Super Lawyers
Twenty-three Manning Fulton attorneys were recognized by Super Lawyers in 2026, including 17 Super Lawyers and 6 Rising Stars.
2026
Super Lawyers
- Joseph B. Bass - Real Estate
- Stephen T. Byrd - Estate & Probate
- Alison R. Cayton - Real Estate
- William S. Cherry III - Business Litigation
- Sandra Martin Clark - Estate & Probate
- William B. Gwyn Jr. - Business/Corporate
- Deborah L. Hildebran-Bachofen - Estate & Probate
- Thomas I. Lyon - Mergers & Acquisitions
- Barry D. Mann - Real Estate
- Michael T. Medford - Business Litigation
- Kevin A. Prakke - Securities & Corporate Finance
- Douglas J. Short - Real Estate
- William C. Smith, Jr. - Civil Litigation Defense
- Ritchie W. Taylor - Franchise/Dealership
- Jessica B. Vickers - Business Litigation
- Jennifer L. Weaver - Business/Corporate
- Judson A. Welborn - Business Litigation
- J. Patrick Bailey - Real Estate
- Angela C. Baldwin - Estate & Probate
- Chris N. Bobby - Business/Corporate
- Lawrence Graham, Jr. - Civil Litigation Defense
- Matthew P. Muntean - Business/Corporate
- B. Zachary Taylor - Real Estate
Best Law Firms: Metropolitan Tier 1
The firm secured 26 ranked practice areas, with 19 of those achieving the highest Tier 1 status.
2026
Recognized in:
- Appellate Practice
- Bet-the-Company Litigation
- Business Organizations
- Closely Held Companies and Family Businesses Law
- Commercial Finance Law
- Commercial Litigation
- Construction Law
- Corporate Law
- Health Care Law
- Insurance Law
- Litigation – Construction
- Litigation – Insurance
- Litigation – Labor & Employment
- Litigation – Real Estate
- Litigation – Real Estate
- Litigation & Controversy – Tax
- Mergers & Acquisitions Law
- Real Estate Law
- Real Estate Litigation
- Tax Law
- Trusts & Estates Law
