Marshall Wall, a Partner at Cranfill Sumner, focuses his practice on eminent domain and land condemnation law, representing property owners in disputes with the North Carolina Department of Transportation (NCDOT) and local government agencies. His mission is to protect property rights and ensure clients receive fair compensation when land is taken for public use.

Decade of Leadership & Deep Experience

Marshall served as Managing Partner of Cranfill Sumner for 10 years, guiding the firm through strategic growth and operational excellence. This leadership experience, combined with his extensive litigation background, gives him a unique perspective on complex property and business disputes. Clients benefit from his ability to blend high-level strategy with practical, results-driven advocacy.

Eminent Domain Focus

Marshall helps property owners navigate the challenges of eminent domain, including negotiations and litigation when government entities exercise condemnation powers. His goal is to provide clarity and confidence throughout the process, achieving the best possible outcome for his clients.

Representative Matters

Marshall’s experience includes high-stakes cases that resonate with business owners and property stakeholders, such as:

  • Complex Right-of-Way Disputes: Guided property owners through negotiation and litigation when government takings threatened operational continuity and property value.
  • Business Litigation: Served as lead counsel in cases involving regulatory issues, real estate disputes, and corporate governance—critical for business owners facing eminent domain challenges.
  • Negotiated Settlements Protecting Business Interests: Achieved favorable resolutions for clients whose properties were partially taken, minimizing disruption and preserving long-term value.

A Multidisciplinary Approach

With a background spanning business litigation, real estate disputes, employment law, and corporate governance, Marshall brings a comprehensive lens to eminent domain cases. This multidisciplinary foundation allows him to address legal, regulatory, and financial issues seamlessly, delivering tailored strategies for each client.

Proven Trial Experience

Marshall is a seasoned trial attorney who has served as lead counsel in state and federal courts across North Carolina. He has represented clients in the North Carolina Business Court and has secured favorable results through litigation, mediation, and arbitration in complex disputes.

    Articles, Presentations, and Publications

    • “North Carolina Highway and Utility Rights-of-Way” Webinar, August 2025
    • “A Tool Kit for Succession Planning for Law Firms and Corporate Legal Departments,” Federation of Defense and Corporate Counsel (FDCC) Winter Meeting, February 2025
    • Quoted in “Cyber Expertise Needs Vetting as Boards Seek Crucial Skill”, Agenda, September 2022.
    • “Emerging Legal and Insurance Issues Related to COVID-19,” Here To Help: Local Business Virtual Conference Series presented by Capitol Broadcasting Company and WRAL, May 2020.
    • “Are You Prepared for a Cyber Emergency? An Overview of Cyber Law and Best Practices,” NC Bar Association Paralegal Division Annual Meeting, May 2018.

    Most Recent Posts

      News

    Marshall Wall Honored as NCLW Managing Partner to Watch

    North Carolina Lawyers Weekly recently recognized Marshall Wall as a member of its 2025 Class of Managing Partners to Watch. The program which is published annually is sponsored by the North Carolina Lawyers Weekly and South Carolina Lawyers Weekly.… Read More

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    Marshall Wall Leads Employment Law CLE

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    Marshall Wall presented at the Aug. 21 Breakfast Discussion Series CLE session for the Tenth Judicial District Bar and Wake County Bar Association. It was held at Campbell Law School.… Read More

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    Jennifer Morris Jones and Benton Toups Receive 2024 Leaders in the Law Award

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    Jennifer Morris Jones and Benton Toups were recently honored as members of the North Carolina Lawyers Weekly Leaders in the Law Class of 2024.  North Carolina Lawyers Weekly presents this peer-nominated award annually to honor legal professionals licensed and practicing law in the state of North Carolina who have gone above and beyond in their profession and their community. These honorees represent the most influential individuals within the state’s legal community.… Read More

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    Cranfill Sumner Staff Honored as 2023 “Unsung Legal Heroes”

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    Dora Kripapuri and Heather Diaz, members of the Cranfill Sumner LLP staff, have been recognized as 2023 Unsung Legal Heroes by North Carolina Lawyers Weekly (pages 18-19) . This award recognizes the staff members of law firms statewide who show dedication to their careers.… Read More

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    Our Top 10 Resources of 2023

    Throughout the year, Cranfill Sumner LLP’s attorneys work diligently to bring the most up-to-date information on North Carolina legal updates… Read More

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    Marshall Wall Presents at NCADA Annual Meeting

    Conference room

    Marshall Wall served as part of a panel discussion at the 46th Annual Meeting and Seminar for the North Carolina Association of Defense Attorneys in Hilton Head, S.C. The theme of the conference was “New World Order: The Industry & Juries Have Never Looked So Different.”… Read More

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    Our Top 10 Resources of 2022

    Throughout the year, Cranfill Sumner LLP’s attorneys work diligently to bring the most up-to-date information on North Carolina legal updates… Read More

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    Jason Stiles Named 2022 Unsung Legal Hero

    Headshot of Jaon Stiles.

    Jason Stiles has been honored as one of the 2022 Unsung Legal Heroes by North Carolina Lawyers Weekly. This award recognizes the staff members of law firms statewide who show dedication to their careers.… Read More

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    Richard Boyette Named to NCBA Legal Practice Hall of Fame

    Richard Boyette has been named to the North Carolina Bar Association (NCBA) Legal Practice Hall of Fame. Boyette is an experienced litigator and mediator with a career spanning more than four decades who serves as Of Counsel at Cranfill Sumner LLP.… Read More

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    Marshall Wall Presents FDCC Employment Law Podcast

    Marshall Wall, Managing Partner of Cranfill Sumner LLP, recently presented during a podcast hosted by the Federation of Defense and Corporate Counsel (FDCC) Employment Practice and Workplace Liability Substantive Law Section.  The podcast featured Nashville attorney William “Zan” Blue, Jr.… Read More

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    Marshall Wall Presents During FDCC Podcast

    Marshall Wall, Managing Partner of Cranfill Sumner LLP, served as host and presenter for the Federation of Defense and Corporate Counsel (FDCC) podcast about the current status and developments in Labor Law under the new Biden Administration.… Read More

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    Marshall Wall Reappointed to NC Bar Committee

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    Marshall Wall, Managing Partner of Cranfill Sumner LLP (CSH Law), was reappointed to serve a three-year term on the Privacy and Information Security Law Specialty Committee of the North Carolina State Bar Board of Legal Specialization.… Read More

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    Cranfill Sumner LLP Unveiled as New Firm Name

    Cranfill Sumner LLP today announced that the firm will adopt the new name of Cranfill Sumner LLP. The name reflects the firm’s ongoing commitment to evolve and change in the modern legal landscape while still paying homage to its nearly 30-year history in North Carolina.… Read More

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    Rebecca Knudson Named Partner of Cranfill Sumner

    Rebecca Knudsen

    Cranfill Sumner today announced that Rebecca Knudson has been named a partner in the firm. Rebecca is based in the firm’s Wilmington office and focuses her civil litigation practice on representing builders, developers, homeowner association boards and other business professionals in construction law, mechanic lien law, community association law and other complex litigation matters.… Read More

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    Paul Gessner Joins Cranfill Sumner Raleigh Office

    Cranfill Sumner LLP (Cranfill Sumner) today announced that Paul Gessner has joined the firm’s Raleigh office as Of Counsel. Gessner will join the Municipalities and Public Entities Practice Group and the Employment Law Practice Group.… Read More

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    Cranfill Sumner Attorneys Volunteer for Legal Aid Eviction Project

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    In May 2020, Legal Aid of North Carolina launched an effort to help North Carolinians who were struggling to pay rent and were facing eviction. Legal Aid paired available emergency financial support with a search for volunteer attorneys from across the state who could help negotiate past and future payments with landlords.… Read More

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    Marshall Wall Participates in NCADA Fall Seminar

    Marshall Wall, Managing Partner of Cranfill Sumner LLP, served on a panel discussion during the North Carolina Association of Defense Attorneys (NCADA) Virtual Fall Seminar. The panel discussed “Leadership and Practice Management During Disruption” and was held on Oct. 2.… Read More

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    Marshall Wall Reappointed to Campbell Law Board of Visitors

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    Marshall Wall, Managing Partner of Cranfill Sumner LLP (Cranfill Sumner), has been reappointed to serve an additional two-year term on the Campbell Law Board of Visitors. Marshall has served on the Board of Visitors since 2016. His new term begins Sept. 1, 2020 and continues through Aug. 31, 2022.… Read More

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    Cranfill Sumner LLP Awards Three 2020 Core Value Awards

    Cranfill Sumner LLP (Cranfill Sumner) has awarded the 2020 Cranfill Sumner Core Value Award to Christine Colangelo, Katie Laymon, and Robin Terry. Cranfill Sumner presents the award annually to one or more individuals in the firm who best exemplify the firm’s core values of client service, reputation, and teamwork.… Read More

      News

    Marshall Wall Discusses Employment and COVID-19 on WRAL Webinar

    Marshall Wall, Managing Partner of Cranfill Sumner & Hartzog LLP, participated in the “Here To Help: Local Business Virtual Conference Series” webinar on May 28. Marshall served on a panel that discussed “Emerging Legal and Insurance Issues related to COVID-19.”… Read More

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    Marshall Wall Featured in North Carolina Lawyers Weekly

    Marshall Wall, Managing Partner of Cranfill Sumner LLP, was recently featured in North Carolina Lawyer’s Weekly. In “Beware the malware: At law firms, cybersecurity is more important than ever,” Marshall discusses malware and cybersecurity concerns for law firms.… Read More

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    Josh Hiller Joins Cranfill Sumner Raleigh Office

    Cranfill Sumner LLP (Cranfill Sumner) today announced that Josh Hiller has joined its Raleigh office in an Of Counsel role. He will focus his practice in the area of Business Disputes & Litigation and Professional Liability, Defense.… Read More

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    Cranfill Sumner Creates Dan Hartzog Core Value Award

    Dan Hartzog | Trial Lawyer Raleigh NC

    Cranfill Sumner LLP (Cranfill Sumner) today announced the creation of the Dan Hartzog Core Value Award which will be awarded annually to an individual in the firm who best exemplifies the firm’s core values of Client Service, Reputation, and Teamwork. … Read More

      News

    Marshall Wall Reappointed to Privacy and Information Security Specialty Committee

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    Marshall Wall, Managing Partner of Cranfill Sumner LLP, was recently reappointed to the Privacy and Information Security Specialty Committee of the North Carolina State Bar Board of Legal Specialization. Marshall and his fellow committee members are responsible for recruiting and evaluating applicants as well as reviewing, revising and grading the certification exam.… Read More

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    Marshall Wall to Present about Cyber Risks

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    Marshall Wall will present about Cyber Risks at Lawyers Mutual CLE events in New Bern and Greenville. “Put Into Practice Risk Management Tips for Your Firm” are half-day CLE events that will be held Jan. 26 in New Bern and Jan. 27 in Greenville.… Read More

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    Marshall Wall Selected to Chair FDCC Section

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    Marshall Wall, Managing Partner of Cranfill Sumner LLP, was recently appointed to the position of Vice Chair of the new Data Breach, Privacy and Cyber Insurance Law Section of the Federation of Defense and Corporate Counsel (FDCC). Marshall was selected to join FDCC in 2015.… Read More

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    Triangle Attorney At Law Magazine Features Marshall Wall

    Marshall Wall | Business Attorney Raleigh

    The latest edition of Triangle Attorney at Law Magazine features an interview with Marshall Wall, Cranfill Sumner LLP’s managing partner. The article is a profile of Marshall’s 16-year career with the firm and includes his vision for the firm’s future.… Read More

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    Marshall Wall Speaks at RTA-ACC Event

    Marshall Wall | Business Attorney Raleigh

    On Sept. 30, Marshall Wall addressed a CLE event sponsored by the Triad Chapter of the RTA-ACC. He provided an overview and update on SEC, FTC and federal laws that govern data protection and duties owed to customers in the event of a cybersecurity or data breach.… Read More

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    Cranfill Sumner Names Marshall Wall as Managing Partner

    Marshall Wall | Business Attorney Raleigh

    Cranfill Sumner LLP (Cranfill Sumner) announced today that F. Marshall Wall has been named Managing Partner. Wall, a partner in the firm and current Chair of the Business Law and Cyber Liability and Privacy Practice Groups, will assume the role in January 2016.
    … Read More

      Result

    Wall Successfully Defends Hospital in Premises Liability Case

    Case Results for NC Law

    Wall obtained summary judgment on behalf of a larger regional hospital in which plaintiff sought damages for injuries suffered when she tripped and fell in the hospital’s parking lot. The Court of Appeals affirmed the trial court’s decision finding the plastic base was apparent and that the plaintiff’s ability to see the plastic base was not obstructed.… Read More

      Result

    Municipality Prevails in Zoning Dispute

    Case Results for NC Law

    Marshall Wall won summary judgment for a municipality sued as the result of a zoning dispute with a landowner. The landowner, a trust, wanted to put a church into a commercial property that it owned, but the property was not zoned for church use.… Read More