Construction Law & Litigation Attorneys in Raleigh and Durham, NC
Construction projects involve complex contractual relationships and substantial financial investment for every party involved. Manning Fulton’s construction attorneys provide experienced counsel at every phase of a project—from initial development and financing through contract negotiation, dispute resolution, and final project closeout.
Our construction team represents the full range of parties involved in a project, including lending institutions, developers, owners, contractors, architects, engineers, design professionals, and insurance companies. We handle construction projects of all types and sizes, bringing the same level of attention to a single-building renovation as we do to a multi-phase commercial development.
What We Do
Construction Contract Negotiation and Litigation Avoidance
The strongest position in any construction dispute is the one built before the dispute ever arises.
Manning Fulton’s construction attorneys:
- Negotiate standard form contracts and agreements, including AIA and AGC documents; and
- Advise clients on litigation avoidance strategies designed to keep a project on track and out of court.
Construction Litigation, Arbitration, and Dispute Resolution
Despite careful planning, disputes commonly arise 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.
Manning Fulton represents construction industry clients in:
- Trials and appeals before North Carolina’s federal, state, and administrative courts and boards;
- Arbitrations; and
- Mediations.
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; and
- Project scope disputes.
Mechanic’s Lien Claims Under North Carolina Law
One of the most heavily litigated issues in North Carolina construction law is the mechanic’s lien.
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.
Manning Fulton’s construction attorneys have extensive experience:
- Defending against lien claims on behalf of owners, lenders, and other project parties.
- Filing mechanic’s liens to secure payment rights on a project;
- Filing notices of liens on project funds; and
- Prosecuting lien claims on behalf of contractors, subcontractors, and suppliers seeking payment.
Strict compliance with Chapter 44A’s procedural requirements is essential to preserving lien rights. 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; and
- Suppliers seeking to enforce payment and lien rights when contractors fail to pay.
Partner With Manning Fulton
Whether you’re negotiating a contract, facing a payment dispute, or defending against a mechanic’s lien claim, Manning Fulton’s construction attorneys work to avoid disputes where possible and resolve them efficiently when they can’t be avoided. Reach out to one of our attorneys to see how we can represent your interests at every stage of your project.
