Pat Flanagan currently serves as the Chair of the firm’s Municipalities & Public Entities Practice Group and Vice-Chair of the Employment Practice Group. Before joining Cranfill Sumner, Pat served as a Captain in the U.S. Army Judge Advocate General’s Corps and as a Special Assistant U.S. Attorney. He is a member of all United States District Courts in North Carolina, the Fourth Circuit and the United States Supreme Court.
Litigating cases for almost 30 years, Pat focuses his practice on municipal law, civil rights and government liability defense, and the defense of employers, both public and private. He also defends various types of premises liability claims and claims against homeowners associations, community management groups and non-profit organizations.
Pat has successfully defended public and private entities and individuals in numerous jury trials including wrongful termination; civil rights such as First Amendment, Fourth Amendment and excessive force; wrongful death; contract; defamation; breach of fiduciary duty; negligence; and premises liability. He follows through with his clients, in conjunction with the firm’s Appellate Group, when cases are appealed to the North Carolina and Federal Appellate Courts, and serves on the NCBA Appellate Practice Section. In addition, he has handled innumerable administrative cases in the EEOC, NCDOL, USDOJ, ESC and NCOAH.
Pat regularly meets with Managers, Councils, and Boards as a trusted legal advisor. Because he has significant depth and breadth of experience in his areas of expertise, including extensive jury trial experience, Pat sees the big legal picture quickly and provides his clients with actionable strategies to obtain the best outcome for them under the circumstances of each individual case.
Pat began his career with Cranfill Sumner in our Raleigh office and moved to the Charlotte office in 2002. While he enjoyed working in Raleigh and down east, he and his family love life closer to the mountains. He can be found every day walking with his wife of 30 years Leslie and their dogs, or playing sports, running, skiing, and watching their favorite sports teams (especially the Carolina Hurricanes) with his three now grown (almost) children, Houghton, Laney, and Eliza.
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.
- As lead counsel, successfully argued and obtained favorable reversals of Appellate decisions in two matters before the North Carolina Supreme Court.
Articles, Presentations, and Publications
- “Litigation, Insurance & Immunities,” N.C. Municipal Attorneys Winter Conference, 2012
- “Handling the Police Liability Claim,” National Business Institute, 2011
- “Unemployment Compensation Update,” The Employers Association, 2011
- Various public risk and training seminars, 2009 – 2011
- “Free Speech Issues in the Workplace,” N.C. Municipal Attorneys, 2004
- “Interplay between Workers’ Compensation, ADA, and FMLA,” N.C. Association of Educators, 2002
- “Police Liability in North Carolina,” Lorman Seminar, 2002
- “REDA Claims and Due Process Issues,” N.C. League of Municipalities Conference, 2001
Most Recent Posts
CSH Law Attorneys Receive Best Lawyers® “Lawyer of the Year” Recognition
Six attorneys from Cranfill Sumner LLP (CSH Law) were recently named among the Best Lawyers® 2024 “Lawyers of the Year.”… Read More
32 CSH Law Attorneys Selected for Inclusion in the Best Lawyers in America© 2024
Thirty-two attorneys from Cranfill Sumner LLP (CSH Law) were recently selected by their peers for inclusion in The Best Lawyers in America© 2024.… Read More
Pat Flanagan Certified as Superior Court Mediator
Cranfill Sumner LLP today announced that Pat Flanagan recently completed training for Mediator Certification and is now a Certified Superior Court Mediator with the North Carolina Dispute Resolution Commission.… Read More
Cranfill Sumner LLP Attorneys Listed Among 2023 Legal Elite
Twelve Cranfill Sumner LLP attorneys were recognized by Business North Carolina magazine as part of the magazine’s Legal Elite program. … Read More
Pat Flanagan Receives Best Lawyers® “Lawyer of the Year” Recognition
Pat Flanagan of Cranfill Sumner LLP (CSH Law) was recently named the Best Lawyers® 2023 “Lawyer of the Year” for two categories in the Charlotte area including Insurance Litigation and Municipal Litigation. (Copyright 2022 by Woodward/White, Inc., of Aiken, SC)… Read More
25 CSH Law Attorneys Selected for Inclusion in the Best Lawyers in America© 2023
Twenty-five attorneys from Cranfill Sumner LLP (CSH Law) were recently selected by their peers for inclusion in The Best Lawyers in America© 2023.… Read More
Cranfill Sumner Attorneys and Staff Volunteer for Bar Candidate Interviews
Attorneys and staff members of Cranfill Sumner LLP volunteered to perform bar candidate interviews for the NC Board of Law Examiners prior to the July 2022 bar exam.… Read More
Public Entity Immunity Fact Sheet
Updated February of 2022 The resource below outlines various aspects of public entity immunity including statutes of limitations, damage recovery… Read More
Cranfill Sumner LLP Attorneys Listed Among 2022 Legal Elite
Eight Cranfill Sumner LLP attorneys were recognized by Business North Carolina magazine as part of the magazine’s Legal Elite program. … Read More
EEOC Issues Updated Guidance to Employers for COVID-19 Related Issues
EEOC Issues Updated Guidance to Employers for COVID-19 Related Issues In the wake of the new Emergency Temporary Standard (ETS)… Read More
Cranfill Sumner LLP Awards 2021 Core Value Awards
Cranfill Sumner LLP (CSH Law) today announced that four employees were honored with the 2021 Core Value Awards. The honorees are Richard Boyette, Pat Flanagan, Sam LaRoche and Charlotte Neville.… Read More
26 CSH Law Attorneys Selected for Inclusion in the Best Lawyers in America© 2022
Twenty-six attorneys from Cranfill Sumner LLP (CSH Law) were recently selected by their peers for inclusion in The Best Lawyers in America© 2022.… Read More
Pat Flanagan Speaks at Civil Rights Webinar
Pat Flanagan, an attorney at Cranfill Sumner, served as a featured speaker at the Harmonie Group Civil Rights Webinar on Jan. 19.… Read More
Cranfill Sumner Attorneys Listed Among 2021 Legal Elite
Five Cranfill Sumner attorneys were recognized by Business North Carolina magazine as part of the magazine’s Legal Elite program. … Read More
Patrick Flanagan and Stephanie Webster Obtained Favorable Summary Judgment Order in Use of Deadly Force Case
Patrick Flanagan (Charlotte) and Stephanie Webster (Charlotte) obtained Summary Judgment in an action involving allegations of excessive use of force… Read More
Pat Flanagan Presents at Labor and Employment Law Seminar
On Oct. 30, Pat Flanagan spoke at the 36th Annual North Carolina/South Carolina Labor & Employment Law Program, which was presented by the North Carolina Bar Association. The day-long webcast featured attorneys discussing a wide range of topics about labor and employment law.… Read More
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
Cranfill Sumner Attorneys Volunteer for Legal Aid Eviction Project
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
27 Cranfill Sumner Attorneys Selected for Inclusion in the Best Lawyers in America© 2021
Twenty-seven attorneys from Cranfill Sumner LLP (Cranfill Sumner) were recently selected by their peers for inclusion in The Best Lawyers in America© 2021 (Copyright 2020 by Woodward/White, Inc., of Aiken, SC).… Read More
Pat Flanagan Speaks during Virtual Municipal Attorneys Conference
Pat Flanagan, a Partner in the Charlotte office of Cranfill Sumner LLP (Cranfill Sumner), participated in a virtual panel discussion on Aug. 6. The panel was sponsored by the North Carolina Association of Municipal Attorneys.… Read More
Pat Flanagan Joins NCADA Board of Directors
Pat Flanagan, an attorney at Cranfill Sumner LLP, has been elected to the board of directors for the North Carolina Association of Defense Attorneys (NCADA). Pat’s term begins in June 2020 and continues for three years.… Read More
4th Circuit Holds Police Are Not Entitled to Qualified Immunity After Shooting a Secured, Incapacitated Suspect; Supreme Court Refuses to Reexamine the Doctrine in Unrelated Matters
In a recently published opinion, the Fourth Circuit held that even if the City could not be liable under a Monell theory,… Read More
Updated EEOC Guidelines for Getting Back to Business
As North Carolina continues to reopen, many employers are searching for guidance to protect themselves and their employees from COVID-19… Read More
Cranfill Sumner Launches COVID-19 Response Team
Cranfill Sumner & Hartzog LLP (Cranfill Sumner) announced the creation of its COVID-19 Response Team. The team is comprised of… Read More
11 Cranfill Sumner Attorneys Named to 2020 North Carolina Super Lawyers and Rising Stars Lists
Today Cranfill Sumner LLP (Cranfill Sumner) proudly announced that 11 of its attorneys have been selected for inclusion in the 2020 North Carolina Super Lawyers and 2020 North Carolina Rising Stars lists.… Read More
Cranfill Sumner Attorneys Listed Among 2020 Legal Elite
Seven Cranfill Sumner LLP (Cranfill Sumner) attorneys were recognized by Business North Carolina magazine as part of the magazine’s Legal Elite program.… Read More
Cranfill Sumner Attorneys Receive Best Lawyers® “Lawyers of the Year” Recognition
Four attorneys from Cranfill Sumner LLP (Cranfill Sumner) were recently named the Best Lawyers® 2020 “Lawyer of the Year” for their respective practice areas in their local metropolitan area. (Copyright 2020 by Woodward/White, Inc., of Aiken, SC)… Read More
31 Cranfill Sumner Attorneys Selected for Inclusion in the Best Lawyers in America© 2020
Thirty-one attorneys from Cranfill Sumner LLP (Cranfill Sumner) were recently selected by their peers for inclusion in The Best Lawyers in America© 2020(Copyright 2019 by Woodward/White, Inc., of Aiken, SC).… Read More
Cranfill Sumner Charlotte Volunteers at Men’s Shelter
Last week, members of the Charlotte office of Cranfill Sumner LLP recently served 300+ lunches at the Men’s Shelter of Charlotte, an organization dedicated to ending homelessness in the Charlotte Metro region. The organization operates two shelters in Charlotte including more than 400 beds and also provides counseling and training to help occupants find employment and housing.… Read More
21 Cranfill Sumner Attorneys Named to 2019 North Carolina Super Lawyers and Rising Stars Lists
Today Cranfill Sumner LLP (Cranfill Sumner) proudly announced that 21 of its attorneys have been selected for inclusion in the 2019 North Carolina Super Lawyers and 2019 North Carolina Rising Stars lists.… Read More
Pat Flanagan to Serve on NCBA Committee
Pat Flanagan has been appointed to serve a three-year term on the NCBA’s Appellate Practice Section Council. His term will end in 2021.… Read More
32 Cranfill Sumner Attorneys Selected for Inclusion in the Best Lawyers in America© 2019
Thirty-two attorneys from Cranfill Sumner LLP (Cranfill Sumner) were recently selected by their peers for inclusion in The Best Lawyers in America© 2019 (Copyright 2018 by Woodward/White, Inc., of Aiken, SC).… Read More
Pat Flanagan to Chair NCADA Employment Law Section
Pat Flanagan, Chair of the Employment Law Practice Group at Cranfill Sumner LLP, was recently appointed to serve as Employment Law Section Chair of the North Carolina Association of Defense Attorneys.… Read More
Pat Flanagan Presents at NCAPA Annual Conference
Pat Flanagan, a Partner based in the Charlotte office of Cranfill Sumner LLP, presented at the March 12 North Carolina Association of Police Attorneys annual conference.… Read More
20 Cranfill Sumner Attorneys Named to 2018 N.C. Super Lawyers and Rising Star Lists
Today Cranfill Sumner LLP (Cranfill Sumner) proudly announced that 20 of its attorneys have been selected for inclusion in the 2018 North Carolina Super Lawyers and 2018 North Carolina Rising Stars lists.… Read More
Flanagan and Shere Present at NCADA Seminar
Two Cranfill Sumner LLP (Cranfill Sumner) attorneys will be featured speakers at the upcoming 2017 Fall Seminar for Insurance Claims Managers & Defense Counsel. The seminar is presented by the North Carolina Association of Defense Attorneys (NCADA).… Read More
33 Cranfill Sumner Attorneys Selected for Inclusion in the Best Lawyers in America© 2018
Thirty-three attorneys from Cranfill Sumner LLP (Cranfill Sumner) were recently selected by their peers for inclusion in The Best Lawyers in America© 2018 (Copyright 2017 by Woodward/White, Inc., of Aiken, SC). Eight attorneys were selected for inclusion in the list for the first time.… Read More
Pat Flanagan Presents about ADA Regulations at NCRLA Meeting
Pat Flanagan, an attorney in the Charlotte office of Cranfill Sumner LLP, spoke recently at the Charlotte Chapter Meeting of the North Carolina Restaurant and Lodging Association (NCRLA).… Read More
Summary Judgment Affirmed on Appeal for Commercial Developer in Complex Construction Case
Patrick Flanagan and Mica Worthy (Defense Counsel), and Jaye Bingham-Hinch (Appellate Attorney) obtained summary judgment and dismissal of a complex… Read More
17 Cranfill Sumner Attorneys Named to 2017 North Carolina Super Lawyers and Rising Stars List
Today Cranfill Sumner LLP (Cranfill Sumner) proudly announced that 17 of its attorneys have been selected for inclusion in the 2017 North Carolina Super Lawyers and 2017 North Carolina Rising Stars lists.… Read More
Patrick Flanagan Addresses MCB CLE Event
Patrick Flanagan, an attorney in the Charlotte office of Cranfill Sumner LLP, served on a panel about “Voir Dire and Direct Examination” during a CLE event presented by the Mecklenburg County Bar. The day-long session featured training sessions for trial attorneys and their staff members.… Read More
26 Cranfill Sumner Attorneys Selected for Inclusion in the Best Lawyers in America© 2017
Twenty-six attorneys from Cranfill Sumner LLP (Cranfill Sumner) were recently selected by their peers for inclusion in The Best Lawyers in America© 2017 (Copyright 2016 by Woodward/White, Inc., of Aiken, SC).… Read More
Flanagan and Hartzog Present at Municipal Attorneys Conference
Pat Flanagan and Dan Hartzog, Jr. served as speakers for the North Carolina Association of Municipal Attorneys Summer Conference. The event took place on Aug. 4-6 at the Renaissance Hotel in Asheville.… Read More
Pat Flanagan Presents Employment Law Tips for Hospitality Industry
On June 14, Pat Flanagan presented “10 Ways to Get Sued & How to Avoid Them” at the Charlotte Employment Law Session meeting of the North Carolina Restaurant and Lodging Association.… Read More
Pat Flanagan to Discuss Sign Regulations at NC Bar Seminar
Pat Flanagan is speaking today at the North Carolina Bar Association’s 2016 Government & Public Sector Section Annual Meeting. He will present “Sign Regulations: The Implications of Reed v. Town of Gilbert.”… Read More
17 Cranfill Sumner Attorneys Named to 2016 North Carolina Super Lawyers and Rising Stars Lists
Cranfill Sumner LLP (CSH) is proud to announce that 16 of its attorneys have been selected for inclusion in the 2016 North Carolina Super Lawyers and 2016 North Carolina Rising Stars lists.… Read More
28 Cranfill Sumner Attorneys Selected for Inclusion in the Best Lawyers in America© 2016
Twenty-eight attorneys from Cranfill Sumner LLP (Cranfill Sumner) were selected by their peers for inclusion in The Best Lawyers in America© 2016.… Read More
Cranfill Sumner Defends Appeal on Behalf of Municipality
Cranfill Sumneryers prevail in appeal on case in which two subcontractors died while working on a water line project owned by a municipality. Summary judgment was granted in favor of the municipality in the Superior Court case.… Read More
Attorneys to Speak at ABC Construction Conference
John Ong, Pat Flanagan and Nick Valaoras will be the featured speakers at a panel discussion for the Associated Builders… Read More
Patrick Flanagan to Speak at RMS Regional Spring Meetings
Patrick Flanagan will speak on employment law issues at the Risk Management Services Regional Spring Meetings. … Read More
20 Cranfill Sumner Attorneys Named to 2015 North Carolina Super Lawyers and Rising Stars Lists
Cranfill Sumner announced that 20 of its attorneys have been selected for inclusion in the 2015 North Carolina Super Lawyers and North Carolina Rising Stars lists.… Read More
Five Cranfill Sumner Attorneys Listed Among 2015 Legal Elite
Five Cranfill Sumner attorneys in its Raleigh, Charlotte and Wilmington offices were recognized by Business North Carolina magazine as Legal Elite… Read More
Cranfill Sumner Attorneys Named to 2014 Super Lawyers Business Edition
Cranfill Sumner is proud to announced that nine of its attorneys have been selected for inclusion in the 2014 Super Lawyers Business Edition.… Read More
24 Cranfill Sumner Attorneys Selected for Inclusion in the Best Lawyers in America© 2015
Twenty-four attorneys from Cranfill Sumner LLP were recently selected by their peers for inclusion in The Best Lawyers in America.… Read More
Flanagan and Worthy Obtain Dismissal of All Claims Against Condominium Association
Pat Flanagan and Mica Worthy obtained a dismissal of the case against a condominium association that was sued when the community voted for and approved a special assessment for renovations, as the complex was in a state of disrepair such that the Town Building Inspections had deemed it condemned.… Read More
Cranfill Sumner Attorneys Present About Sweepstakes Law
Patrick Flanagan and Dan Hartzog, Jr. spoke the legal issues involved with internet sweepstakes cafes which are currently affecting local NC governments. … Read More
21 Cranfill Sumner Attorneys Named to 2014 North Carolina Super Lawyers and Rising Stars List
Cranfill Sumner announced that 21 of its attorneys are selected for inclusion in the 2014 North Carolina Super Lawyers and 2014 North Carolina Rising Stars lists.… Read More
25 Cranfill Sumner Attorneys Selected for Inclusion in the Best Lawyers in America© 2014
Cranfill Sumner is proud to announce that 25 of its attorneys were recently selected by their peers for inclusion in The Best Lawyers in America©.… Read More
24 Cranfill Sumner Attorneys Selected as 2013 North Carolina Super Lawyers & Rising Stars
Ten Cranfill Sumner attorneys were selected as 2013 North Carolina Super Lawyers and 14 Cranfill Sumner attorneys were selected as 2013 North Carolina Rising Stars.… Read More
23 Cranfill Sumner Attorneys Selected for Inclusion in The Best Lawyers in America® 2013 Edition
Twenty-three lawyers from Cranfill Sumner were recently selected by their peers for inclusion in The Best Lawyers in America® 2013… Read More
Four Cranfill Sumner Attorneys Recognized Among Business North Carolina’s Legal Elite
One of the largest civil defense firms in NC, announced that four attorneys were recognized by Business NC magazine as part of its Legal Elite program.… Read More
Cranfill Sumner Successfully Defends Town Facing First Amendment Retaliation Claim
Pat Flanagan and Meagan Kiser obtained summary judgment on behalf of a town and it’s Manager on a first amendment retaliation claim, based on defenses of qualified immunity and policy making.… Read More