Austin Sistrunk is an experienced litigator who has devoted her career to representing corporate clients across a broad range of matters. Austin is licensed to practice in state and federal courts in North Carolina and Alabama, where she represents clients in claims involving healthcare, premises liability, hospitality, cybersecurity, products liability, and commercial litigation. In addition, she routinely counsels clients on effective risk mitigation and negotiates on their behalf in alternative dispute resolution.
Before joining Cranfill Sumner, Austin practiced for several years in Alabama. There, she was recognized in The Best Lawyers in America: Ones to Watch (2021, Commercial Litigation; Product Liability Litigation – Defendants) and named as one of Birmingham’s Rising Star Lawyers for 2018 by the Birmingham Business Journal. Austin is active in the professional community and serves on the Board of the Coastal Women Attorneys Chapter of the North Carolina Association of Women Attorneys.
Healthcare
Austin enjoys analyzing and understanding complex medical issues to effectively defend healthcare providers in medical malpractice actions, including cases involving catastrophic injuries. She also assists clients with investigations before the North Carolina Medical Board and litigates premises liability claims in the healthcare setting. Over the years, she has handled employment law matters for healthcare facilities, including advising on policies, risk management, and defending discrimination claims.
In addition, Austin has frequently represented pharmaceutical and medical device manufacturers and distributors in product liability litigation. She also has experience with healthcare cybersecurity litigation, specifically alleged privacy violations and data breaches.
Retail, Restaurant & Hospitality
Austin has represented retail, restaurant, and hotel operators in a wide array of matters involving premises liability, slip and falls, business disputes, breach of contract, breach of warranty, tortious interference, unfair and deceptive trade practices, fraud, dram shop liability, negligent security, and data breach notification. She has drawn on her healthcare experience to defend clients against Legionnaires’ disease, asbestos exposure, and foodborne illness claims. Austin is always up for the challenge of a novel or complicated legal issue and loves working with her clients to effectively and efficiently resolve their matters.
Austin earned her J.D. from the University of Alabama School of Law, where she served as a Senior Editor of the Alabama Law Review. Austin graduated from the University of Alabama with a B.S. in Marketing. In her spare time, Austin enjoys exploring North Carolina’s beautiful coast with her husband and two dogs.
Most Recent Posts
13 Cranfill Sumner LLP Attorneys Named to 2023 North Carolina Super Lawyers and Rising Stars Lists
Cranfill Sumner LLP announced that 13 of its attorneys have been selected for inclusion in the 2023 North Carolina Super Lawyers and 2023 North Carolina Rising Stars lists.
… Read More
Telemedicine in North Carolina: The Basics
The United States District Court for the Western District of Virginia in Corradi v. Kolls, No. 4:22-CV-011, 2022 WL 4006928… Read More
The Spirit of the Holidays – Tips for Alcohol Service This Holiday Season
This post was originally published on November 23, 2021. It’s the most wonderful time of the year. And for many,… Read More
Alert: North Carolina’s COVID-19 State of Emergency – and Healthcare Provider Immunity – to End on August 15, 2022
On March 10, 2020, Governor Roy Cooper declared a state of emergency over COVID-19 in Executive Order No. 116. Less than… Read More
Austin Sistrunk Elected to Serve on CWA Board of Directors
Austin Sistrunk has been elected to serve on the Board of Directors of the Coastal Women Attorneys (CWA), the local chapter of the North Carolina Association of Women Attorneys. Austin will serve as the Chair of the chapter’s Communications Committee.… Read More
Supreme Court Holds States Can Seek Reimbursement from Tort Settlement Payments for Future Medical Care
On June 6, 2022, the U.S. Supreme Court in Gallardo By & Through Vassallo v. Marstiller, No. 20-1263, 2022 WL… Read More
Six Tips for Summer Accident and Disaster Preparedness
The days are growing longer and warmer on the Atlantic coast. That means tourism season – and hurricane season –… Read More
Making Spirits Bright – Tips for Alcohol Permittees This Holiday Season
It’s the most wonderful time of the year. And for many, this holiday season marks the return to social gatherings… Read More
North Carolina’s New “No Patient Left Alone Act” Mandates Patient Visitation Rights
On Oct. 15, 2021, Governor Roy Cooper signed Senate Bill 191, “The No Patient Left Alone Act,” into law. The… Read More
When Concerts Turn Catastrophic – A Legal View on the Astroworld Festival Tragedy
Nearly 50,000 people attended the sold-out Astroworld Festival at NRG Park in Houston, Texas, on Nov. 5, 2021. Concertgoers, who… Read More
North Carolina’s Sweeping Alcoholic Beverage Reform Goes into Effect
Sober October is here, but new legislation is creating a buzz around the sale of alcoholic beverages in North Carolina. Effective… Read More
Updates to Medical Malpractice Legal Procedures in North Carolina
On June 18, 2021, Governor Roy Cooper signed Senate Bill 255 into law. The law contains two significant changes to the… Read More
CSH Law Welcomes New Attorneys
Cranfill Sumner LLP (CSH Law) announced today that Coltrane Henderson, Kayla McDaniel, Austin Sistrunk, Ani Whittington and Ella Zulman have joined the firm’s Charlotte and Wilmington offices as associate attorneys.… Read More