Bill Pollock is co-chair of the firm's liability litigation section and concentrates his practice in construction law, environmental and toxic torts, products liability, trucking and other complex litigation.  He has been a member of Cranfill  Sumner & Hartzog since 1992.  Prior to joining Cranfill Sumner & Hartzog, he practiced with a large firm in Washington, D.C. for five years after graduating from law school.

As lead counsel, Bill has tried over 30 cases before a jury, with favorable results in over 90% of these cases.  He has handled matters in North Carolina Superior Court in most of the counties in North Carolina, and before all of federal District Courts in North Carolina, as well as before the North Carolina Court of Appeals and Supreme Court.

Bill's representative clients include general contractors, developers, architects, engineers, product manufacturers, trucking companies, and insurance and surety companies and agencies.  Bill serves as the firm's primary contact with The Harmonie Group, a national membership organization of independent law firms that provides clients with access to defense firms and attorneys that handle complex and difficult high-stakes litigation throughout the U.S.

Bill accepted an invitation by the North Carolina Home Builders Association and the National Association of Home Builders to be the North Carolina representative on the NAHB's Construction Law Attorney Forum.  This group was organized by the NAHB to have attorneys from across the country identify and exchange information on potential and current litigation and legislative trends in construction law.  The forum is comprised of attorneys who devote a substantial portion of their practice representing builders and subcontractors in construction defect and builder liability cases.

Bill also is currently serving as a director of the North Carolina Association of Defense Attorneys, and was selected to the "North Carolina Legal Elite" in the area of construction law by Business NC magazine.

Representative Matters

• Lead defense counsel in a six-week environmental trial in which 75 plaintiffs sought in excess of $225,000,000 for injuries arising from purportedly contaminated drinking water from a private water system. Trial resulted in a complete defense verdict, with the plaintiffs ordered to pay defendants' costs at trial.
• National coordinating counsel for over 300 construction defect suits arising out of the manufacturing and sale of synthetic stucco (EIFS).
• Counsel for performing plaintiff in cost recovery action for largest North Carolina Superfund clean-up site.
• Obtained defense verdict for trucking company in three week trial for multiple claims arising out of 18 vehicle interstate highway collision.
• Obtained defense verdict in wrongful death lawsuit filed against highway contractor for death occurring in a construction zone on an interstate highway.
• Obtained dismissal of all claims against contractor for allegations of mold in construction of custom home.
• Established new precedent in North Carolina by obtaining dismissal of all extra-contractual claims against a surety company on performance bonds.
• Obtained dismissal of wrongful death action against government owner for claim involving two deaths occurring during construction of water tower.
• Obtained dismissal of all claims for personal injury against fertilizer manufacturer.
• North Carolina counsel for all products liability and warranty litigation for a leading nationwide construction products manufacturer.
• North Carolina counsel for thimerosal toxicity claims against a vaccine manufacturer.

Articles, Presentations, and Publications

• "EIFS Litigation Primer", Defense Research Institute Construction Law Section Annual Meeting and Seminar, March, 1999
• Contributing author, "Efficiently Assessing and Addressing Risk," Inside the Minds™ Series - Construction Law Client Strategies: Leading Lawyers on Drafting Proper Contracts, Understanding Legal Rights and Remedies, and Having Success on Behalf of Clients. © 2007 by Aspatore, Inc.
• "Indemnity and Contribution," North Carolina Association of Defense Attorneys Annual Meeting, June 2007
• Presentations at numerous seminars on construction law and litigation

Professional, Civic and Community Activities

• North Carolina Law Education Assistance Foundation (NCLEAF) (Board of Directors, 2010) 
• North Carolina Bar Association (Litigation, Construction Law and Environmental Law Sections)
• North Carolina Association of Defense Attorneys (Board of Directors, 2007 - present; Chair, Construction Law Practice Group, 2005 - 2007)
• Defense Research Institute (Steering Committee, Construction Law Section)
• National Association of Home Builders Construction Law Attorney Forum
• White Memorial Presbyterian Church
• Tarheel Swimming Association (Board of Directors)

Accomplishments

• Appointed to the Board of Directors of North Carolina Legal Education Assistance Foundation
• Elected to "North Carolina Legal Elite," by Business NC magazine 
• Martindale Hubbell AV rating

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