CONSTRUCTION LAW
MEDICAL MALPRACTICE
TRICIA L. BARFIELD
For Tricia Barfield, law is a second career. From working in academia to serving in the Cumberland County Health Department, she has developed a wide array of experience working with local, state and executive office officials, which she brings to her role as a director at Carruthers & Roth.
HEALTHCARE
Today, she enjoys a broad-based civil litigation practice in state, appellate and federal courts, assisting clients in fields such as construction liens and claims, employment, labor and human resources, creditor’s rights, insurance claims, landlord-tenant, and business operations.
Barfield was a member of the first cohort at Elon University School of Law as well as a member of the Order of the Barristers and the board of the Moot Court.
Her professional activities include The Guilford American Inn of Court and Piedmont Triad Women Attorneys. She also has served as a member of the advisory council of Women to Women since 2022 and served from 2018 to 2020 as a board member of the N.C. Association of Women Attorneys.
HEALTH CARE
MATT BOUCHARD
Matt Bouchard considers himself a “soup-to-nuts” construction attorney, assisting clients with their projects from concept to completion.
With more than 15 years of experience in construction law, Bouchard serves as a vital resource for his clients. He is a partner at Poyner Spruill who found his pathway to construction law over 20 years ago. After practicing as an all-purpose litigator at a large national firm, he began assisting the partners in the construction industry practice group and was drawn to it.
“I was immediately fascinated by the technical components and multiparty nature of the disputes they were handling, as well as the common-sense approach they took toward litigating and resolving their cases,” he says. “My claims work runs the gamut, and I’m a big proponent of alternative dispute resolution, firmly believing that construction disputes are particularly well-suited for mediation and arbitration.”
David Carson enjoys going all in for his clients, and that helps him stay focused on getting the best results.
A partner at Johnson Allison Hord, Carson has spent 30 years representing clients in the construction industry and has developed a great passion for his work.
In addition to representing a variety of companies in disputes, he also counsels general contractors and subcontractors on the front end of projects in the bidding and contracting phases, helping them plan and structure their performance to avoid litigation.
Active in the legal profession, Carson is a past chair of the N.C. Bar Association’s construction section.
When he is not at work, he enjoys sports and outdoor activities. He’s an avid runner, and while he devoted his high school years to playing team sports, today, he enjoys life as a spectator and cheering for his favorite teams, including the Fighting Irish, the Cubs, the Bears and the Hornets.
Ashley Coghill has litigated construction cases in all 100 North Carolina counties, helping shape defense law for over eight years. She has extensive knowledge of construction law, and her passion for it drives her to continue zealous client advocacy of clients and eagerness to continue her proficiency in the field.
Growing up, she spent her summers working in construction with her father, even learning how to drive a backhoe. In college and high school, she helped her mother renovate a 1910 farmhouse.
“I’ve found the most fun can be found in the dirt,” she says. “That has provided me the working knowledge of a construction claim, which gives me the edge that serves my clients well.”
She also champions women in construction.
“As a woman, it’s one thing to excel in a male-dominated field, but another entirely to advocate for and lift up the women around you to make sure they come along with you for the ride,” she says.
ADAM MARK GOTTSEGEN PRINCIPAL, NICOLLS & CRAMPTON RALEIGH CONSTRUCTION
RICHARD D. CONNER PARTNER, CONNER, GWYN, SCHENK GREENSBORO
Richard Conner has enjoyed a long career spanning over 50 years. He grew up in Greensboro and practices law there today as a partner at Conner, Gwyn, Schenk.
His professional practice is concentrated in the areas of resolving design- and construction-related disputes in arbitration and litigation for local government and private industry clients. As a part of his private practice, he served for 16 years as general counsel to the Construction Management Association of America and today is a Fellow of that organization. He is also a Fellow of the American College of Construction Lawyers.
He is a member of the American Arbitration Association’s Construction Mega Project Panel and its Large, Complex Case Panel of Arbitrators and Neutrals. He is certified as a mediator in North Carolina, and his dispute resolution experience as a neutral includes extended service as a member of dispute review boards for multibillion-dollar toll roads.
NAN E. HANNAH PARTNER, HANNAH SHERIDAN COCHRAN RALEIGH
Nan Hannah’s law practice is her second career. After teaching for eight years, she enrolled in law school, and today, she is a partner at Hannah Sheridan Cochran in Raleigh.
“I became a lawyer to help people,” she says. “Many contractors and subcontractors are small, family-run businesses that get into a financial bind when funds do not flow as they anticipate.”
Hannah followed her father into the world of construction law as one of a few women in that practice area.
“Seeking a legal position, the best offer I received was with a construction law firm,” she says. “Digging deeper, I learned the offer came my way because my father was a noted construction lawyer.”
Over the years, she has honed her skills and is a notable attorney in her own right. Her father’s influence stays with her.
“My father taught me that being professional, collegial and practical should be hallmarks of a good lawyer,” she says. “I hope I achieve those goals.”
Adam Gottsegen believes in doing what is best for his clients and going the extra mile to help them succeed.
“I want to be a counselor for the client, working through any situation, and I want to be known for providing that counsel at a reasonable rate,” he says.
Gottsegen says his career was influenced by his mother, a former Legal Aid director in Winston-Salem. “She was the reason I became an attorney and in my practice, I often think about what she would have done,” he says.
While his work runs the gamut of litigation practice areas, he enjoys construction law because of the challenges and interesting issues that arise.
“My construction law practice began through the fortunate meeting of several excellent clients who are subcontractors in the area,” Gottsegen says. “I mainly represent subcontractors in filing liens and handle litigation; however, I also have enjoyed representing general contractors in both drafting and reviewing their contracts.”
MARGARET HARRINGTON
SPECIAL COUNSEL, BARNWELL WHALEY PATTERSON & HELMS WILMINGTON
Growing up in a large, close-knit family that was involved in law, real estate and construction, Meg Harrington developed her interest in those professions at a young age.
She recalls moving multiple times while her mother explored new neighborhoods and types of new construction as a Realtor.
“Perusing real estate was a large part of my life,” Harrington says. “The construction and real estate industries always sparked an interest and felt like a fit.”
Today, as a special counsel at Barnwell Whaley, she represents landowners and general contractors in specialized fields.
“As lawyers, we all know that when a person comes to you for legal help, it is usually a very difficult time in their life,” she says. “My guiding principle is to provide them with the comfort that I understand how important this process is to them, and my job is to alleviate as much of that strain as possible as I guide them through each step.”
TRACY THOMPSON JAMES
MEMBER, HAMILTON STEPHENS STEELE + MARTIN CHARLOTTE
Tracy James always dreamed of becoming a lawyer and was the first in her family to attend college. She could not have predicted she would end up representing clients in the construction industry.
“I wanted to be one of those ‘fancy litigation attorneys’ I saw on TV that made everything look fun and dramatic,” she says.
After law school, she joined a small firm whose senior managing attorney had an engineering degree. The firm steered her toward construction law, and the rest is history. Today, James is recognized as a national leader in the practice area.
“Sometimes I look back and am in complete shock at how far I’ve come and how much I’ve done,” she says.
She credits her success to her love of construction law and passion for helping her clients.
“I think that’s why I’ve been able to build a successful construction practice,” she says. “Life is too short to do something you don’t love.”
TODD A. JONES FOUNDING PARTNER, ANDERSON JONES RALEIGH
Durham native Todd Jones, a founding partner at Anderson Jones, is known for his comprehensive understanding of construction law. He has a reputation for his efforts to secure favorable outcomes for clients of all sizes – from the largest and most complex to the smallest mom-and-pop operations.
When it comes to educating others in construction law, Jones is a go-to lawyer for speaking engagements before trade associations, and he’s happy to provide practical resources for contractors to help them in their businesses. He also prioritizes minority-owned businesses and advocates for their participation and place in the industry.
Focused on the future of construction law, Jones enjoys employing law students and sharing his knowledge and expertise.
Jones is a member of the N.C. Bar Association’s construction law section and serves on the board of the Affordable Community Residence Association. He also serves as a volunteer legal counsel for a local pug-rescue group, and helped put an end to an unscrupulous puppy mill.
NEALE JOHNSON PARTNER, FOX ROTHSCHILD GREENSBORO
Law is Neale Johnson’s second career. He served 16 years in the Marine Corps and the Marine Corps Reserve, achieving the rank of major.
At Fox Rothschild, Johnson applies over 20 years of experience to achieving practical results for his clients, working with them on strategies to avoid disputes, from evaluating contracts on the front end to providing advice during projects.
“If disputes cannot be avoided, I work to resolve conflicts as quickly and favorably as the circumstances permit,” he says.
Johnson is also well-versed in collaborative practice and mediation as a certified mediator. He co-chairs Fox Rothschild’s litigation department.
“I feel privileged every day to be able to represent owners and contractors as they navigate tough legal problems,” he says.
In his practice, he strives to make the world safer for stakeholders in the construction industry.
“My clients appreciate what I do and rely on me to help them avoid disputes, preserve relationships and reach the best possible outcomes for them,” he says.
DANIEL G. KATZENBACH PARTNER, CRANFILL SUMNER RALEIGH
As a partner with Cranfill Sumner, Dan Katzenbach chairs the firm’s construction law practice group. Since joining the firm in 1997, he has concentrated his practice in the areas of construction law, environmental and toxic torts, architect and engineer professional liability, premises liability, and other complex litigation matters.
Katzenbach’s clients include general contractors, developers, architects, engineers, product manufacturers, trucking companies, and insurance and surety companies and agencies.
Among his many favorable outcomes, Katzenbach obtained a dismissal for a North Carolina home inspector in a lawsuit where the plaintiff alleged over $200,000 of damages from a termite infestation discovered after closing on a house. The plaintiff subsequently appealed the decision to the N.C. Court of Appeals, where the home inspector prevailed again.
Active in the legal community, Katzenbach serves on the board of the N.C. Association of Defense Attorneys.
PETER MARINO PARTNER, SMITH ANDERSON LAW FIRM RALEIGH
As a construction law attorney for more than three decades and co-leader of Smith Anderson’s real estate development team and construction and infrastructure practice, Pete Marino’s clients include leading national and international general contracting and engineering firms as well as institutional and corporate organizations.
He has been integrally involved as lead legal counsel in some of the more significant infrastructure projects in North Carolina, including as the lead construction counsel to the Raleigh-Durham Airport Authority in connection with its $3 billion Vision 2040 Master Plan airport improvement projects.
Marino also represents a national real estate developer in connection with its more than $300 million Seaboard Station Redevelopment Project in Raleigh, and as lead and procurement counsel on the approximately $330 million Raleigh Union Station bus facility and Two Tower Overbuild Project to be built in downtown Raleigh.
He is past chair of the NCBA Construction Law Section and a co-author of the “North Carolina Construction Law Deskbook.”
BYRON L. SAINTSING PARTNER, SMITH DEBNAM RALEIGH
Byron Saintsing says if he could have a superpower, it would be the ability to predict the future, and in his field of practice, not a week goes by when he doesn’t try to do just that. After three decades of practicing law, he’s gotten pretty good at it.
He is known for his spot on, in-depth industry acumen, business sense and his keen ability to pick up on subtle patterns within a case. These attributes enable him to foresee likely outcomes and guide his clients accordingly.
Clients in the construction and heavy equipment leasing industries rely on him to handle their mechanics liens, bond claims, delay claims, warranty disputes and numerous bankruptcy issues. Clients look to Saintsing for his ability to develop solutions in cases where the possibility of an equitable resolution seems beyond reach.
In addition to lecturing and extensive writing, Saintsing edited materials on North Carolina’s adoption of Article 2A of the Uniform Commercial Code.
EVAN M. MUSSELWHITE CONSTRUCTION LITIGATOR, WARD AND SMITH RALEIGH
A native of Lumberton, Evan Musselwhite parlayed his undergraduate degree in construction, engineering and management from N.C. State University into a legal career. He represents professionals in the construction industry and co-chairs Ward and Smith’s construction law practice.
For Musselwhite, law is a family affair. His grandfather founded a law firm in Lumberton in 1955 and passed it on to his two sons — Musselwhite’s father and uncle.
“I grew up hearing their old war stories, which sparked my interest in law,” he says.
As an engineering student, Musselwhite took a course on the legal intricacies of contracting, and this led to his fascination with the intersection of law and construction.
He describes himself as a mission-focused attorney who strives to be responsive to clients by giving them practical guidance they can use to conduct business.
“I find our clients appreciate frank and honest advice so they can make educated decisions about the issues they may be facing,” he says.
SANDRA MITTERLING SCHILDER PARTNER, RAGSDALE LIGGETT RALEIGH
Sandy Schilder brings 25 years of experience to her role defending design professionals, including architects and engineers, and managing disputes over construction defects, negligence claims and contracts.
“I started with a plaintiff’s firm which handled synthetic stucco cases and became fascinated with how houses are constructed,” she says.
As Schilder advanced in her career to more complex construction cases, she realized how few women practiced in construction law.
“More than once I had other lawyers assume I was someone’s assistant because I was the only woman there,” she says. “Eventually, I learned to capitalize on being underestimated and now enjoy seeing their surprise when I show up as the most prepared attorney in the room.”
Schilder strives to work collaboratively to resolve disputes as quickly and inexpensively as possible.
“I want my clients to understand what their options are and to know I am their advocate,” she says.
DAVID A. SENTER
SENIOR COUNSEL, MAYNARD NEXSEN RALEIGH
Over four decades, David Senter’s practice has taken him across the United States to work on projects for major sports stadiums, industrial facilities and infrastructure works, including steel bridges and structures.
As senior counsel at Maynard Nexsen, he is recognized as a widely respected construction law attorney and enjoys teaching construction law to industry and professional groups and students in his role as an adjunct professor at the Wake Forest University Law School.
Senter has developed an alternative dispute resolution practice, and he thrives on interim project problem solving.
“That’s where a client calls with a problem for which there is no exact answer, and together, we walk through different facts and scenarios,” he says. “Then I recommend a reasonable approach to reach my client’s goals.”
Senter considers his service to God, family and clients as his north star.
“Serving each makes me better at what I do and makes life and work more rewarding,” he says.
MARGARET CAROLINE TRAUTMAN PARTNER, OAK CITY LAW RALEIGH
As a strong advocate for her clients, Caroline Trautman is willing to put in the work, time and individual attention her cases require. In over 14 years in practice, she has handled a variety of civil business and commercial matters in North Carolina and South Carolina, with a strong focus on construction law.
She serves on the American Arbitration Association’s Panel of Arbitrators and has completed North Carolina civil collaborative practice training. She also is vice chair of the N.C. Bar Association’s construction section and served as managing editor of the “North Carolina Construction Deskbook, 8th Edition.”
With her mediation, arbitration and trial experience, Trautman has developed the skills to represent clients in a dispute. Her litigation experience gives her the perspective needed to help her clients avoid and de-escalate troublesome disputes when possible. She also counsels her clients on preventative measures and best practices to help avoid disputes and succeed in their everyday operations.
HAROLD C. SPEARS
SHAREHOLDER, CAUDLE & SPEARS CHARLOTTE
Since 1973, the attorneys from the Charlotte-based law firm of Caudle & Spears have provided high-quality and effective legal services to businesses, families and individuals in North Carolina and South Carolina, as well as to national and international companies doing business in those states. The firm’s lawyers are highly involved in the legal community and recognized by our professional peers for high-quality service.
Harold Spears, a shareholder at the firm, is one of the state’s top business law attorneys, receiving both his Bachelor of Arts in management sciences and his Juris Doctor from Duke University, graduating with honors in both.
In addition to construction law, he practices business and commercial litigation, insurance law and litigation, real estate and title disputes and personal injury. He also represents closely held businesses.
JUDSON A. WELBORN MANAGING PARTNER, MANNING FULTON & SKINNER RALEIGH
Judd Welborn credits his two mentors, Charlie Fulton and Ted Oliver, for giving him the chance early in his career to work for several of their commercial real estate clients as they developed some of the larger projects in the Triangle.
“I quickly learned that construction law is a unique blend of concepts, structures and laws that affords lawyers the opportunity to be involved in all aspects of a project from start to finish,” he says.
A Durham native, Welborn is the managing partner at Manning Fulton & Skinner, where he has spent the past 25 years representing clients of all sizes.
“My practice incorporates all aspects of construction law, focusing on resolving construction and design-related disputes,” he says. “Having litigated those types of cases for more than two decades, I find I am better able to advise clients on the front end of projects about potential areas of concern with an eye toward avoiding problems later in the project.”