Daniel G. Katzenbach

Daniel G. Katzenbach (Dan) is a Partner in the Raleigh office of Cranfill Sumner and Chair of the firm’s Construction Law practice group. Since joining the firm in 1997, Dan has concentrated his practice in the areas of construction law, environmental and toxic torts, architects and engineers professional liability, premises liability, and other complex litigation matters. Dan’s clients include general contractors, developers, architects, engineers, product manufacturers, trucking companies, and insurance and surety companies and agencies.

Dan practices before federal and state courts in North Carolina and has litigated a wide variety of cases to favorable verdicts.

Dan has represented numerous landowners and property management companies in lead paint lawsuits since the litigation first made its way to North Carolina.

Representative Matters

Cases or matters referenced do not represent the lawyer’s entire record. Each case is unique and must be evaluated on its own merits. The outcome of a particular case cannot be predicated upon a lawyer’s or a law firm’s past results.

• Obtained defense verdict at arbitration hearing for roofing contractor who had been sued with regard to a large residential development project with allegations of faulty work and water damage.
• Represented an Engineer and Land Surveyor before the Board of Examiners for Engineers and Surveyors upon charges of negligent misconduct in connection with expert testimony given in an arbitration proceeding, and successfully persuaded the Board to dismiss all charges against the client.
• Obtained dismissal for North Carolina Home Inspector in lawsuit where plaintiff alleged over $200,000 of damages from termite infestation discovered after closing on house.  Plaintiff subsequently appealed the decision to the N.C. Court of Appeals, where we prevailed again, with the Court affirming the trial court’s ruling of dismissal.
• Obtained very favorable verdict at trial for general contractor sued by a homeowner alleging differential settlement of his home due to unsuitable soils from improper installation of foundation.  Plaintiff alleged over $100,000 in repair costs for installation of helical piers beneath home.  Jury rejected the plaintiff’s arguments and concluded that the home had not settled as alleged.
• Obtained favorable verdict for large regional energy company at trial in lawsuit brought by homeowner alleging almost $1 million in damages for property damage and personal injury from mold associated with water heater flooding.
• Obtained dismissal of construction personal injury lawsuit for general contractor on plaintiff’s allegations of injury from fall from temporary guardrails on job site.
• Obtained favorable verdict for roofing subcontractor at trial on general contractor’s claim for indemnity relating to alleged water intrusion into residence.
• Obtained a defense verdict for a roofing contractor client in a week long bench trial in Charlotte, NC.  The roofing contractor was a defendant in an action initiated by a townhome owners’ association, alleging 1.5 million dollars of construction defects at a residential townhome development.  The plaintiff alleged that all of the roofs at the 29 unit development needed to be removed and replaced at a cost of over $500,000.  The case was tried to a Judge, who ruled in favor of our roofing contractor, awarding the plaintiff $1.00 on the roofing issues.

Articles, Presentations, and Publications

• “Bare the Risk,” Construction Claims (Spring 2017 edition)
• “Limitation of Liability Clauses,” 2014 Construction Seminar, The Harmonie Group (July, 2014)
• Construction Contractor Forum for minority and small-to-medium sized General Contractors, Charlotte, NC (September 30, 2013)
• “Liability of General Contractor for Injuries Caused by Negligent Subcontractor,” North Carolina Lawyers Weekly, September, 2006.