Spend a few minutes with Joe, and you realize his passion for law is not about the law itself, but for the people the law serves to protect. He focuses on helping clients resolve issues they’ve been unable to resolve on their own, whether it’s an issue with a lease, a disagreement in a construction case or contractual dispute, or something else entirely. His motivation is recognizing that the vast majority of the parties involved in litigation would much rather be focusing on nearly anything else. Joe provides alternative solutions to his clients whenever feasible and makes it his mission to handle a client’s legal matter in the most efficient manner possible.

As a member of the firm’s construction law group, Joe represents construction companies and small business owners in lease negotiations and complex litigation matters. His clients include general contractors and subcontractors, as well as property managers, landlords, commercial tenants, equipment rental companies, and building material suppliers.

With an extensive background in lien filings and construction litigation, Joe’s litigation experience spans all types and sizes—from summary ejectments in small claims court, to collection actions and construction disputes in district and superior court, to a five-year federal class/collective action employee wage dispute. No matter the issue, clients can depend on Joe to never lose sight of their goals. He focuses on the details in preparing a case while keeping the client’s broader goals in mind. The end result is a strategy that serves both. Joe says a favorite aspect of his practice is learning about his clients’ industries and helping them to find solutions they haven’t considered.

Before joining Smith Debnam, Joe was an associate with Vann Attorneys where he focused his practice on construction law, landlord-tenant disputes, business and shareholder disputes, and employment law.

Joe earned his B.A. magna cum laude from the University of Richmond and his J.D. with honors from Duke University School of Law. He is licensed to practice before the Fourth Circuit Court of Appeals and all federal and state courts in North Carolina.

Areas of Practice:

  • Appellate Law
  • Corporate & Business Law
  • Construction Law
  • Business Litigation
  • Equipment Leasing & Finance
  • Mediation & Arbitration

Admissions:

  • North Carolina State Bar
  • U.S. District Courts for the Eastern, Middle, Western District of North Carolina
  • U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit
  • District of Columbia (currently inactive)
  • Pennsylvania (currently inactive)

Education:

  • J.D., with honors, Duke University School of Law, 2003
  • B.A., magna cum laude, University of Richmond, 2000

Professional Affiliations:

  • North Carolina Bar Association; Construction Law Section; Litigation Section, Member
  • Wake County Bar Association; Member

Community Involvement:

  • Supervising Attorney, Legal Aid of North Carolina Lawyers on the Line Program