Attorneys in Charlotte, North Carolina

Construction

A true pioneer in the practice of construction law, Johnston, Allison and Hord is known as the preeminent go-to construction law firm in the Carolinas.

We have been practicing in this area for 70 years – even before there was a body of law recognized as construction law. Our team of lawyers draws from a deep reservoir of institutional knowledge to serve clients including local, national and international contractors, subcontractors, architects, engineers, suppliers, owners, developers, sureties and other construction industry professionals.  In addition to representing companies throughout the Carolinas, we represent many large construction companies that come here to build from all over the United States.

Our construction practice was recently recognized as “Band One” in Construction Law by Chambers and Partners, an internationally renowned organization known for setting the “Gold Standard” in recognizing exceptional legal services. Six of our attorneys were recognized as leading lawyers — three times more recognitions than any other firm in the state of North Carolina. Our construction attorneys are consistently recognized by their peers as “Elite” and the “Best in America” and are members of a number of distinguished professional, legal, arbitration and industry associations.

In addition to our litigation, arbitration and mediation services, our lawyers negotiate complex construction contracts for a wide range of projects. We have negotiated the construction contracts for NBA, NFL and professional baseball stadiums, high-rise office buildings, and the up-fit renovation of the arena for the 2012 Democratic National Convention. Our service areas also include:

  • Licensing
  • Bidding
  • Contracts/Contract claims
  • Change orders
  • Extra work
  • Defective work
  • Bankruptcy claims & litigation
  • Mechanics’ liens
  • OSHA
  • EEOC
  • Subcontractor relations
  • Payment and Performance Bond Claims
  • Creditors’ rights
  • Mediation/arbitration/litigation
  • Payment Disputes
  • Delay/Acceleration claims
  • Private and public projects

Our lawyers serve on many committees within the Construction Law Section of the North Carolina Bar Association, including two past chairs of the section. Our lawyers have also written several pivotal books and other publications that serve as guiding treatises in the construction law arena.

While our experience and legal and business skills distinguish our lawyers, we are particularly proud of our reputation for high-quality client service. We also have played an influential role in shaping the legislative framework of construction law in North Carolina, many times with the precedent-shaping trial and appellate outcomes we have attained.

Below are examples of some of the appellate cases involving the construction industry in which our attorneys participated over the years.

Appellate Cases

  • Elec. Supply Co. v. Swain Elec. Co., 328 N.C. 651, 403 S.E.2d 291 (1991).
  • McNeary's Arborists, Inc. v. Carley Capital Grp., 103 N.C. App. 650, 406 S.E.2d 644 (1991).
  • Embree Constr. Group, Inc. v. Rafcor, Inc., 97 N.C. App. 418, 388 S.E.2d 604 (1990), rev’d, 330 N.C. 468, 411 S.E.2d 916 (1992).
  • Syro Steel Co. v. Hubbell Highway Signs, Inc., 108 N.C. App. 529, 424 S.E.2d 208 (1993).
  • Baker Constr. Co. v. Phillips, 333 N.C. 441, 426 S.E.2d 679 (1993).
  • Tower S. Prop. Owners Ass’n v. Summey Bldg. Sys., 1995 U.S. App. LEXIS 2881 (4th Cir. Feb. 15, 1995).
  • Gilbane Bldg. Co. v. FRB, 80 F.3d 895 (4th Cir. 1996).
  • Rea Constr. Co. v. City of Charlotte, 121 N.C. App. 369, 465 S.E.2d 342 (1996), cert. denied, 343 N.C. 308, 471 S.E.2d 342 (1996).
  • Corbin Russwin, Inc. v. Alexander’s Hardware, Inc., 147 N.C. App. 722, 556 S.E.2d 592 (2001).
  • Miley v. H.C. Barrett & Assocs., 2002 N.C. App. LEXIS 2167 (Ct. App. May 21, 2002), cert. denied, 356 N.C. 304, 570 S.E.2d 726 (2002).
  • McClure Lumber Co. v. Helmsman Constr., Inc., 160 N.C. App. 190, 585 S.E.2d 234 (2003).
  • Marolf Constr. v. Allen’s Paving Co., 154 N.C. App. 723, 572 S.E.2d 861 (2002), cert. denied, 356 N.C. 673, 577 S.E.2d 625 (2003).
  • Smiley’s Plumbing Co. v. PFP One, Inc., 155 N.C. App. 754, 575 S.E.2d 66 (2003), cert. denied, 357 N.C 166, 580 S.E.2d 698 (2003).
  • Rice Constr. & Dev. Co. v. Beam Constr. Co., 2004 N.C. App. LEXIS 468 (Ct. App. Apr. 6, 2004).
  • Vecellio & Grogan, Inc. v. Piedmont Drilling & Blasting, Inc., 183 N.C. App. 66, 644 S.E.2d 16
  • (2007).
  • Marven L. Poindexter, Inc. v. Boardwalk, LLC, 362 N.C. 281, 658 S.E.2d 929 (2008).
  • Carolina Bldg. Servs.' Windows & Doors, Inc. v. Boardwalk, LLC, 362 N.C. 262, 658 S.E.2d
  • 924 (2008).
  • Harbour Point Homeowners’ Ass’n v. DJF Enters., 206 N.C. App. 152, 697 S.E.2d 439 (2010).
  • Signature Dev., LLC v. Sandler Commer. At Union, LLC, 207 N.C. App. 576, 701 S.E.2d 300 (2010), cert. dismissed, 365 N.C. 211, 710 S.E.2d 28 (2011), and cert. denied 365 N.C. 211, 710 S.E.2d 33 (2011).
  • Mainline Supply Co. v. Hillcrest Constr., Inc., 218 N.C. App. 455, 721 S.E.2d 765 (2012).
  • Se. Caissons, LLC v. Choate Constr. Co., 247 N.C. App. 104, 784 S.E.2d 650 (2016).
  • Brookline Residential, LLC v. City of Charlotte, 796 S.E.2d 369 (N.C. Ct. App. 2017).

Group Members