As a civil litigator focused on the defense of professionals, including lawyers and real estate agents, Laura finds herself regularly captivated by the matters she handles. Each case gives her an opportunity to learn and dig deeply into the best way to defend her client’s position. In addition to professional liability defense, Laura also handles general business disputes, premise and products liability cases and admiralty and maritime matters.
Laura enjoys the opportunity to develop long term relationships with her clients and they appreciate her attention to detail and her organizational skills. Laura employs a diplomatic approach to handling cases. She strives to work closely with not only clients, but also adversaries to resolve pending disputes. However, when necessary, Laura strongly advocates for her client both inside and outside the courtroom.
Laura practices in both the Federal and State courts across North Carolina. In addition, she is admitted to practice in New York and New Jersey state courts.
Laura is a northern transplant and now lives in beautiful Chapel Hill with her husband and two children.
Articles, Presentations, and Publications
- Staring Down the Barrel: Responding to ‘Shotgun’ Complaints in Asbestos Litigation, NCADA’s The Resource, October 2017
Most Recent Posts
Laura Dean Selected to Join FDCC
Laura Dean, Of Counsel at Cranfill Sumner LLP (CSH Law), was elected to membership in the Federation of Defense and Corporate Counsel (FDCC).… Read More
Laura Dean and Melody Jolly Serve as Leaders at the 2020 DRI Professional Liability Seminar
Laura Dean helped spearhead the planning and implementation of the 2020 Virtual DRI Professional Liability Seminar, which was held on Dec. 2, 2020. Originally slated as an in-person event in New York City, the COVID-19 pandemic forced a change in plans. The 2020 Virtual Professional Liability Program featured prominent attorneys and industry leaders from across the county. Laura served as Vice-Chair of the Program and will serve as the Program Chair in 2021. … Read More
Cranfill Sumner Attorneys Receive Best Lawyers® “Ones to Watch” Recognition
Six attorneys from Cranfill Sumner LLP (Cranfill Sumner) were recently named among the Best Lawyers® 2021 Ones to Watch. (Copyright 2020 by Woodward/White, Inc., of Aiken, SC)… Read More
Laura Dean Promoted to Of Counsel at Cranfill Sumner LLP
Cranfill Sumner LLP (Cranfill Sumner) today announced that Laura Dean has been promoted to the position of Of Counsel. Dean is based in the firm’s Raleigh office.… Read More
Laura Dean to Serve as Program Vice-Chair of DRI Committee
Laura Dean has been selected to serve as the DRI Professional Liability Committee’s Program Vice-Chair. In this role, she will work with the Program Chair and other steering committee members to plan and host the Committee’s annual December seminar in New York City. The seminar is attended by respected colleagues, clients and other Professional Liability professionals. … Read More
Cranfill Sumner Attorneys Assist in Bar Exam Interview Sessions
Several Cranfill Sumner LLP (Cranfill Sumner) attorneys assisted with interviews for the February 2019 bar exam session for the North Carolina Board of Law Examiners. Cranfill Sumner is committed to giving back to the legal community and is proud to support the NC State Bar admissions process.… Read More
Cranfill Sumner Attorneys Inducted to North Carolina Pro Bono Honor Society
Cranfill Sumner LLP (Cranfill Sumner) attorneys were recently inducted into the 2018 North Carolina Pro Bono Honor Society. Alesha Brown, Katie Barber-Jones and Laura Dean were part of the 468 attorneys who were inducted by the North Carolina Pro Bono Resource Center.… Read More
Cranfill Sumner Attorneys Honored as NC Lawyers Weekly Rising Stars
Laura Dean and Virginia Wooten were honored today as the North Carolina Lawyers Weekly Rising Stars. Laura and Virginia were honored along with the other recipients at a luncheon in Raleigh.… Read More
Laura Dean to Serve as DRI Professional Liability Committee’s Annual Meeting Chair
Laura Dean, an attorney in the Raleigh office of Cranfill Sumner LLP, has been selected to serve as Annual Meeting Chair for the DRI Professional Liability Committee. The meeting will be held Oct. 16-19 in New Orleans.… Read More
Laura Dean Featured in DRI Newsletter
Laura Dean’s article, “Causation in Appellate Malpractice Cases—for a Judge or Jury?”, was featured as the cover story for the Dec. 12, 2018 edition of The Voice, DRI’s e-newsletter.… Read More
Laura Dean Discusses Life as a Raleigh Attorney in UNC Webinar
Laura Dean, an attorney based in the Raleigh office of Cranfill Sumner LLP, participated in the recent “Practicing Law in Raleigh – An Insider’s Perspective” webinar produced by the University of North Carolina School of Law. In the webinar, Laura describes her experience working as an attorney in the Triangle area.… Read More
Staring Down the Barrel: Responding to ‘Shotgun’ Complaints in Asbestos Litigation
The Resource, a publication of the North Carolina Association of Defense Attorneys, recently published an article by Laura Dean. “Staring Down the Barrel: Responding to ‘Shotgun’ Complaints in Asbestos Litigation” discusses the implications of “shotgun” complaints in asbestos litigation cases.… Read More
Defensive use of Rule 1.8 permitted by NC Court of Appeals
NC Court of Appeals Holds that a Client May Use a Violation of the Rule 1.8 of the Rules of… Read More
Laura Dean Hired as Associate at Cranfill Sumner
Laura Dean has been hired as an associate at Cranfill Sumner LLP (Cranfill Sumner), one of the largest law firms in North Carolina.… Read More
