Business Litigation
North Carolina Business Litigation Attorneys
Manning Fulton’s litigation attorneys represent clients in complex business disputes throughout North Carolina, including matters before all three federal district courts in the state, North Carolina Superior Courts, and the North Carolina Business Court. Our attorneys also appear before administrative tribunals and arbitration panels such as FINRA, and handle appeals before the United States Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit, the North Carolina Court of Appeals, and the North Carolina Supreme Court.
Our attorneys handle a broad range of commercial disputes, from contract and fiduciary duty claims to shareholder and partnership conflicts. Our work includes:
- Breach of contract disputes
- Breach of fiduciary duty claims
- Business torts: including wrongful interference with contractual or prospective relations, unfair trade practices, and trademark rights violations
- Shareholder disputes, including allegations of minority shareholder oppression
- Disputes among members of limited liability companies, limited partnerships, and general partnerships
- Restrictive covenant disputes arising from business sales or employment agreements
- Disputes over the enforceability of letters of intent
- Real estate purchase contract and commercial lease disputes
- Franchise and franchisee disputes
- Antitrust and trade regulation disputes
Partner with Manning Fulton
Whether you’re facing a shareholder dispute, a contract conflict, or a regulatory challenge, Manning Fulton’s litigation attorneys can help you navigate the courts and forums where these disputes are resolved. We provide coordinated legal strategy and clear guidance from the outset.
Who We Serve
Business Owners
Owners facing internal disputes, contract conflicts, or other issues that threaten business operations.
Shareholders, LLC Members & Partners
Individuals involved in ownership, governance, fiduciary duty, or internal company disputes.
Companies & Executives
Businesses and leadership teams navigating contract, franchise, real estate, or regulatory conflicts.
Closely Held Businesses
Privately held companies dealing with disputes among owners, managers, employees, or business partners.
Clients in Multi-Jurisdictional Litigation
Organizations involved in disputes that require coordinated strategy across multiple courts or jurisdictions.
Clients in Trial and Appellate Courts
Parties needing litigation counsel for disputes that may involve both trial court proceedings and appellate review.
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
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
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