Stephanie Hutchins Autry has been a trial lawyer since 1987 and has focused her practice on eminent domain since 2000. Before joining Cranfill Sumner as a partner in 1995, Stephanie was a partner in the Raleigh office of an international law firm. Stephanie’s career has included dozens of successful jury and bench trials and reported appellate decisions.
For the last 15 years, Stephanie has concentrated her practice exclusively in the area of eminent domain, representing property owners in land condemnation matters throughout North Carolina. She has tried over a dozen multi-million dollar land condemnation cases to favorable jury verdicts, resulting in awards greatly in excess of the condemnor’s estimated just compensation. Stephanie also has an exceptional record of resolution through settlement. Stephanie, along with her husband and law partner, George Autry, has won the two largest land condemnation judgments in NCDOT history. Stephanie’s track record includes trial and settlements of virtually every type of eminent domain case, including condemnations of shopping centers, gas stations, hotels, mining and manufacturing facilities, golf courses and country clubs, office and residential condominiums, livestock farms and historical properties, to name a few. Stephanie regularly represents clients against the North Carolina Department of Transportation, the City of Raleigh, the City of Charlotte, the Triangle Transit Authority, the North Carolina Turnpike Authority, and Duke Energy Progress.
Representative clients include Target, Inc., Developer’s Diversified Realty, Chick-Fil-A, Triad Holding Co., Roseclay, LLC, Public Storage, Boggs Construction Co., Duke Realty, Corp., Kirkpatrick Assocs., as well as many other individuals and businesses.
Stephanie has been admitted to the Supreme Court of the United States and is a member of the North Carolina Advocates for Justice. She was recently appointed to the Brigham-Kanner Property Rights Conference Advisory Board.
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.
- Received the highest jury verdict ever awarded in Alamance County, in a case involving the Department of Transportation’s condemnation of a portion of a largely vacant tract suitable for commercial development.
- Received a jury verdict, with interest, more than 60 times the condemnor’s initial offer for the partial taking of an office complex in Durham County.
- In a case that pitted the State’s police power against the requirement to pay just compensation, achieved a favorable multi-million dollar settlement and additional non-monetary concessions for owner of a large mixed-use development.
Articles, Presentations, and Publications
Author and Presenter of numerous publications and lectures, including:
- “Techniques that Work in Selecting and Trying your Condemnation Case to a Jury,” (American Bar Association, Eminent Domain and Land Valuation Litigation, San Diego, CA January, 2006)
- “The Impact of Kelo v. New London: Blurring the Line Between Public Use and Private Gain,” (Research Triangle Park, January, 2006)
- “Inverse Condemnation,” (Greensboro, November, 2005)
- “Medians, Access and Change of Grade: Obtaining Compensation for Legitimate Interferences with Property Rights,” (Cary, October, 2004)
- “Eminent Domain: Representing the Landowner,” (Raleigh, March, 2004)
Accomplishments
- Co-author of proposed legislation protecting property owners’ rights to just compensation, including compensation for lost business profits, appraisal and expert witness costs, and attorneys fees; protecting property owners’ access to public records relating to condemnation of their property; and limiting the use of eminent domain for economic development.
Most Recent Posts
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
Settlement Involving Cranfill Sumner Attorneys Featured in NC Lawyer’s Weekly
Cranfill Sumner LLP attorneys George Autry, Stephanie Autry and Jeremy Hopkins were featured in the Feb. 15 edition of N.C.… 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
CSH Law Attorneys Featured in NC Lawyers Weekly Top Verdicts of 2020
Settlements involving Cranfill Sumner LLP were featured in the Top Verdicts & Settlements of 2020 by NC Lawyers Weekly.… Read More
14 Cranfill Sumner Attorneys Named to 2021 North Carolina Super Lawyers and Rising Stars Lists
Today Cranfill Sumner proudly announced that 14 of its attorneys have been selected for inclusion in the 2021 North Carolina Super Lawyers and 2021 North Carolina Rising Stars lists.… 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
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 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
NC Lawyers Weekly Top V&S of 2018 Features 3 Settlements by Cranfill Sumner Land Condemnation and Eminent Domain Law Practice Group
North Carolina Lawyer’s Weekly featured three settlements from the Land Condemnation and Eminent Domain Law Practice Group at Cranfill Sumner LLP (Cranfill Sumner) in its “Top V&S of 2018: Eminent domain and defense verdicts” which was released Feb. 25, 2019.… 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
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
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
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
Cranfill Sumner Attorneys Recognized by Women in the Law List
Seven female attorneys from Cranfill Sumner LLP (Cranfill Sumner) were recently listed among the 2017 Women in the Law by Best Lawyers Business Edition. The list was printed in the Spring 2017 edition and recognizes female attorneys from each state.… 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
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
Cranfill Sumner Attorneys Listed Among 2016 Women in the Law
Best Lawyers Business Edition featured Cranfill Sumner LLP attorneys among its Best Lawyers Business Edition 2016 Women in the Law list. This is the inaugural year for the Women in the Law list by the publication.… 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 Attorneys Receive $1.2 Million Verdict for Shopping Center
George and Stephanie Autry recently won a $1.2 million verdict for the owners of a commercial shopping center located in Wilmington.… Read More
Stephanie Autry Appointed to Prestigious Advisory Board
Stephanie Autry, Co-Chair of the Land Condemnation and Eminent Domain Practice Group at Cranfill Sumner, appointed to the Brigham-Kanner Property Rights Board.… 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
NC Lawyers Weekly Top 25 List Features Three Settlements by Land Condemnation & Eminent Domain Practice Group
NC Lawyer’s Weekly Top 25 Verdicts and Settlements of 2013 features three settlements by the Land Condemnation & Eminent Domain practice group of Cranfill Sumner.… Read More
George Autry and Stephanie Autry Make Eminent Domain/Land Condemnation Presentations
George Autry and Stephanie Autry, of Cranfill Sumner, Present on “Use of First and Second Generation Rents and Just Compensation” and “Trial Exhibits that Work.”
… 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
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
Cranfill Sumner Lands 17 Attorneys in the Best Lawyers in America® 2012 Edition
Cranfill Sumner, one of the largest civil defense firms in North Carolina, announced today that 17 of its attorneys selected The Best Lawyers in America.… Read More
Land Condemnation & Eminent Domain
To view all case results for the Land Condemnation and Eminent Domain Group at Cranfill Sumner & Hartzog LLP, visit: http://www.csh-eminentdomain.com/case-results/.… Read More