We work with North Carolina cities, counties, municipalities, and other public entities on a wide range of issues, including:
- Accusations of civil rights violations
- Employment law, workers’ compensation, and workforce management
- Governmental torts, including motor vehicle negligence and premises liability
- Internal grievance processes and response management
- Police law matters, from accusations of negligence to alleged civil rights violations
- Zoning and land use matters
Our team of attorneys has extensive experience dealing with complex immunity issues that are specific to local government, as well as managing the media and responding to requests for public records that often surround high-profile claims.
Our approach relies on proactively helping you with risk management strategies and training for employees, while efficiently and cost-effectively managing your legal budget and overall bottom line.
The group is led by chair Pat Flanagan, who has more than 25 years of experience working with municipalities and public entities in North Carolina. Our attorneys are highly skilled at handling cases in state and federal court and before administrative bodies like the Department of Labor and Office of Administrative Hearings.
The Municipalities and Public Entities Practice Group covers all of North Carolina from our offices in Charlotte, Raleigh, and Wilmington. To speak to an attorney, please contact Pat Flanagan or James Thornton.
Most Recent Posts
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
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
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
U.S. Supreme Court Holds that a Violation of an Individual’s Miranda Rights Does Not Provide a Basis for a § 1983 Claim.
In a recent opinion, the U.S. Supreme Court reversed a decision by the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals in which… Read More
Elizabeth Stephens Joins Cranfill Sumner LLP
Cranfill Sumner LLP today announced that Elizabeth Stephens has joined the firm’s Raleigh office as an associate attorney. She focuses her practice on municipal law, labor and employment matters, and general civil litigation.… Read More
Paul Gessner Presents to NC Association of Sheriffs and Police Attorneys
On March 14, Paul Gessner presented at the North Carolina Association of Sheriffs and Police Attorneys 2022 Spring Conference.
… Read More
The Danger of Open Meetings Violations
Compliance with the Open Meetings Law is an ongoing, ever-present obligation for all North Carolina public boards. The advent of Governor… Read More
Cranfill Sumner LLP Offices Ranked as Metropolitan Tier 1 Firm in “Best Law Firms” List
Cranfill Sumner LLP today announced that the 2022 Edition of U.S. News – Best Lawyers® “Best Law Firms” ranked the firm as a Metropolitan Tier 1, Tier 2 and Tier 3 law firm in multiple practice areas.… 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
James Thornton Defends NC County in Jury Trial
James Thornton (Raleigh) and Zack Anstett (Raleigh) successfully* defended a North Carolina county and an employee for the county in a multi-day jury trial. The Plaintiff was rear-ended in her vehicle and alleged that the car had essentially been totaled. … Read More
Paul Gessner Certified As Lecturer by N.C. Criminal Justice Training and Standards Commission
Paul Gessner, Of Counsel with Cranfill Sumner LLP (CSH Law), was recently certified as a professional lecturer issued by the N.C. Criminal Justice Training and Standards Commission. With this certification, Paul is able to teach law enforcement officers about legal topics.… Read More
United States Supreme Court Sharpens the Contours of the Automatic Stay
The City of Chicago found itself at the Supreme Court of the United States. The City had refused to accede to… 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
U.S. Supreme Court Holds Prison Officials Are Not Entitled to Qualified Immunity After Housing Inmate in Unconstitutional Conditions and were Deliberately Indifferent to the Inmate’s Health and Safety
In a recent opinion, the U.S. Supreme Court vacated a decision by the Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals granting correctional… 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
Cranfill Sumner Offices Ranked as Metropolitan Tier 1 Firm in “Best Law Firms” List For 2021
Cranfill Sumner LLP (Cranfill Sumner) today announced that the 2021 Edition of U.S. News – Best Lawyers® “Best Law Firms” ranked the firm as a Metropolitan Tier 1, Tier 2 and Tier 3 law firm in multiple practice areas.… 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
Resuming “In-Person” Board Meetings: Open Meetings Considerations
For approximately the last six months, public boards subject to the Open Meetings Law (“public boards”) have been meeting solely… 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
Remote Public Meetings: COVID-19’s Impact on Public Meetings
*This provides updated information about remote public meetings. For more information, visit our previous blog post about public meeting compliance. As… 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
Cranfill Sumner Offices Ranked as Metropolitan Tier 1 Firm in “Best Law Firms” List
Cranfill Sumner LLP (Cranfill Sumner) today announced that the 2020 Edition of U.S. News – Best Lawyers® “Best Law Firms” ranked the firm as a Metropolitan Tier 1, Tier 2 and Tier 3 law firm in multiple practice areas.… Read More
Jack Wright Joins Cranfill Sumner Charlotte Office
Cranfill Sumner LLP (Cranfill Sumner) today announced that John “Jack” Wright has joined its Charlotte office as an associate attorney. He focuses his practice in the areas of employment and municipal law. … 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
Stephanie Webster Re-Joins Cranfill Sumner Charlotte Office
Cranfill Sumner LLP (Cranfill Sumner) today announced that Stephanie Webster has re-joined the firm’s Charlotte office in an Of Counsel position. Webster will serve as an attorney in the Employment Law and Municipal & Public Entities Practice Groups.… Read More
Here We Go Again: New Changes Proposed to the Department of Labor’s Overtime Regulations for “White Collar” Exemptions
The U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) is seeking to change the criteria for so-called “white collar” exemptions, the most common… 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
Dan Hartzog, Jr. Named Angier Town Attorney
Dan Hartzog, Jr., a municipal and employment law attorney with Cranfill Sumner LLP (Cranfill Sumner), was recently named the Town Attorney for Angier, N.C. He began serving as Town Attorney on April 1, 2018 in addition to maintaining his current practice at Cranfill Sumner.… Read More
Significant Opinion Affecting Governmental Employers
North Carolina Supreme Court recognizes a new claim in favor of governmental employees pursuant to the North Carolina Constitution The… 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
Dan Hartzog, Jr. to Present at UNC Law Symposium
On Nov. 4, Dan Hartzog, Jr. will be a featured presenter at the North Carolina Law Review Symposium. The event’s topic is “Badge Cams as Data and Deterrent: Law Enforcement, the Public, and the Press in the Age of the Digital Video,” and Dan will be providing insight from his role as the town attorney for Hope Mills, N.C. Dan will speaking as part of a panel discussion on the use of body cameras by law enforcement agencies in North Carolina.… 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
Are You Handling Requests for Law Enforcement Recordings Correctly?
House Bill 972 was signed into law last summer, and took effect on October 1, 2016. It is now… Read More
Meredith FitzGibbon Joins Cranfill Sumner Charlotte Office
Cranfill Sumner LLP (Cranfill Sumner) today announced that Meredith FitzGibbon has joined its Charlotte office as an Associate Attorney. FitzGibbon focuses her practice on civil litigation, with an emphasis on employment law and defense of municipalities and public entities.… 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
Stephanie Webster Joins Cranfill Sumner Charlotte Office
Cranfill Sumner LLP (Cranfill Sumner) today announced that Stephanie Webster has joined the firm’s Charlotte office. Webster will serve as an attorney in the Employment Law and Municipal & Public Entities Practice Groups.… 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
Tips for Hiring Your Seasonal Help
Stephanie Gaston Poley and Virginia Wooten are featured in the July 2016 edition of At Your Service, the magazine for the North Carolina Restaurant and Lodging Association. Their article, “Tips for Hiring Your Seasonal Help,” explains the legal issues that must be considered when hiring seasonal staff. … Read More
Dan Hartzog Jr. Named Hope Mills Town Attorney
Dan Hartzog, Jr., a municipal and employment law attorney at Cranfill Sumner LLP (Cranfill Sumner), has been named the town attorney for Hope Mills, N.C. Hartzog will assume the town attorney duties on July 1, 2016 in addition to maintaining his current practice at Cranfill Sumner.… Read More
Summary Judgment In Wrongful Termination Case
DAN HARTZOG JR. (Raleigh) obtained summary judgment in a wrongful termination case involving former sanitation workers employed with a Town. The… 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
The Impact of the North Carolina House Bill 2 on Public and Private Employers
Many employers have heard the buzz about the recently enacted North Carolina legislation commonly referred to as “HB 2” and… Read More
Supreme Court Broadens Protection of Qualified Immunity to Police Officers in Excessive Force Cases
42 U.S.C. § 1983 Case Law Update: Mullenix v. Luna, 136 S. Ct 305 (2015) Police officers are too often… Read More
City and Police Officers Granted Summary Judgment on Fatal Shooting by Law Enforcement Officers
Dan Hartzog, Jr. obtained summary judgement in favor of defendants. This case involved two city police officers who responded to reports… Read More
Harassment Claim Dismissed Based on Governmental Immunity
Katie Weaver Hartzog obtained dismissal of plaintiffs’ state law tort claims based on governmental immunity and failure to state a claim where plaintiffs alleged they were sexually harassed by their supervisor.… Read More
No Facts to Support Hostile Work Environment Claim
Dan Hartzog, Jr. obtained dismissal of a federal lawsuit alleging that plaintiff was subjected to a hostile work environment in retaliation for protected speech. The majority of allegations were conclusory and not supported by proper factual allegations.… Read More
Hartzog Successfully Defends Town Facing 20 Claims by Four Officers
Dan Hartzog, Jr. obtained dismissal of all claims in a lawsuit filed by four former police officers for a Town. The case received significant media attention, due in part to the involvement of a Superior Court Judge.… Read More
All Claims Against City Dismissed in Lawsuit Brought by Former Police Officer
Dan Hartzog, Jr. obtained dismissal of all claims in a lawsuit brought by a former police officer for a City. The officer had been fired from the City for attending court for a personal matter while on duty, arriving late on three occasions, and failing to prepare proper paperwork for a warrant before submitting a statement saying the warrant had been obtained.… 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
Municipality Prevails in Zoning Dispute
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
Hartzog, Jr. Obtains Dismissal for Town Client Facing Federal Suit
Hartzog, Jr. Obtains Dismissal for Town Client Facing Federal Suit… Read More
Katie Hartzog Prevails on Motion to Dismiss for City Client
Katie Hartzog Prevails on Motion to Dismiss for City Client… Read More
Dan Hartzog, Jr. Obtains Dismissal in Age Discrimination Suit Dismissed for Client
Dan Hartzog, Jr. Obtains Dismissal in Age Discrimination Suit Dismissed for Client… Read More
Katie Hartzog Obtains Summary Judgment for City Client
Katie Hartzog Obtains Summary Judgment for City Client… Read More
Excessive Force Allegation Against Individual Police Officer, 12(b)(6) dismissal
Excessive Force Allegation Against Individual Police Officer, 12(b)(6) dismissal… Read More
REDA, Wrongful discharge, disability, discrimination and Constitutional violations brought by former employee, summary judgment obtained
REDA, Wrongful discharge, disability, discrimination and Constitutional violations brought by former employee, summary judgment obtained… Read More
Union Discrimination Claims Against City, Dismissed
Union Discrimination Claims Against City, Dismissed … Read More
US Supreme Court Makes it Easier to Bring Claims Against Police Officers
Last week, in Kingsley v. Hendrickson, the United States Supreme Court changed the law in the 4th Circuit, which includes… Read More
Jolly Obtains Dismissal in Slip and Fall against Municipality
Melody Jolly obtained a voluntary dismissal with prejudice of a premises liability action against a municipality.… Read More
NC Legislature Grapples with Release of Police Officer Videos
The North Carolina General Assembly is currently considering legislation that would give law enforcement agencies the authority to release video… Read More
The Rest of the Story: Search for the Truth in Use of Force Cases
The late radio personality Paul Harvey had a famous show called “The Rest of the Story.” Harvey would bait his… Read More
Dan M. Hartzog Featured in Attorney at Law Magazine
Dan M. Hartzog, managing partner of Cranfill Sumner LLP’s (Cranfill Sumner) is chosen as the Lawyer of the Month by Triangle Attorney at Law Magazine.… Read More
Cranfill Sumner Attorneys Participate in 4ALL Statewide Service Day
Eleven attorneys from Cranfill Sumner LLP (Cranfill Sumner) participated in the North Carolina Bar Association’s 8th Annual 4ALL Statewide Service Day on Friday, March 6. … Read More
Thornton Joins Cranfill Sumner LLP
James Thornton has joined the Cranfill Sumner LLP firm in an Of Counsel position based in its Raleigh office.… Read More
Dan Hartzog Jr. Speaks at Risk Control Seminar
Dan Hartzog, Jr., an attorney in the Raleigh office of Cranfill Sumner, will speak at a NC Risk Control Seminar at the Hickory Metro Convention Center in Hickory.… Read More
Cranfill Sumner Announces Four New Partners
Cranfill Sumner named four new partners: Bradley P. Kline and M. Janelle Lyons of Charlotte, J. Greer Vanderberry, Jr. of Raleigh and Melody J. Jolly of Wilmington.… Read More
Settlement Involving No Payment Reached for Fire Department
Katie Weaver Hartzog obtained a recommendation by a magistrate judge in federal court for summary judgment in favor of a volunteer fire department in which plaintiff alleged First Amendment Retaliation and Equal Protection claims.… Read More
Cranfill Sumner Ranked as Metropolitan Tier 1 Firm in “Best Law Firms” List
2015 Edition of U.S. News – Best Lawyers “Best Law Firms” ranked Cranfill Sumner as a Metropolitan Tier 1, Tier 2 and Tier 3 law firm in multiple practice areas.
… Read More
Cranfill Sumner to Sponsor NCLM Annual Conference
Cranfill Sumner sponsors 2014 Annual Conference of the North Carolina League of Municipalities (NCLM), entitled “CityVision 2014: Charting Our Tomorrow.” … Read More
Virginia Wooten Joins Cranfill Sumner Charlotte
Cranfill Sumner announced that Virginia Wooten joined its Charlotte office, general liability practice group with an emphasis on municipalities and public entities.… Read More
Cranfill Sumner to Participate in NC PRIMA Conference
Cranfill Sumner participates as an exhibitor at the 2014 Annual NC Public Risk Management Association (PRIMA) Educational Conference at Wrightsville Beach.… Read More
Disability for PTSD Claim Dismissed
Katie Weaver Hartzog obtained dismissal of plaintiff’s claims against a Community College in which he alleged he was discriminated against based on his Post Traumatic Stress Disorder disability, which he obtained during his service in Afghanistan.… Read More
Dan M. Hartzog Selected as Honoree for 2014 Leaders in the Law List
Dan M. Hartzog, managing partner of Cranfill Sumner LLP, has been selected as an honoree for the 2014 Leaders in the Law list.… Read More
Community College Teacher Loses on Claims of Employment Discrimination
Dan Hartzog, Jr. obtained dismissal in an employment discrimination claim brought by a former community college teacher. Plaintiff brought claims for gender discrimination, race discrimination, and negligent infliction of emotional distress against a community college and two individual defendants.… Read More
Hartzog Defends Employer Facing Breach of Contract Claim
Dan Hartzog, Jr. obtained summary judgment in a lawsuit filed by a former community college professor who alleged that he could not find work due to alleged statements by his former employer.… 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
Cranfill Sumner Attorneys Participate in 4ALL Statewide Service Day
Ten attorneys from Cranfill Sumner provided vital legal advice and resources in the North Carolina Bar Association’s Annual 4ALL Statewide Service Day.… Read More
Cranfill Sumner Attorneys Listed Among 2014 Legal Elite
Cranfill Sumner attorneys in its Raleigh and Wilmington offices were recognized by Business North Carolina magazine as part of the magazine’s Legal Elite program.… Read More
Hartzog Successfully Defends Municipal Corporation
Katie Weaver Hartzog prevailed on a motion to dismiss of plaintiff’s claims of fraud and misrepresentation against his former employer.… Read More
Dan Hartzog, Jr. to Speak at NBI Seminar About Local Governments
Hartzog will lead sessions during the seminar including ‘Individual Capacity Claims Against Government Employees’ and ‘Municipal Employment Relations.’… 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
Hartzog Wins on Summary Judgment for Town Sued by Former Employees
Dan Hartzog, Jr. obtained summary judgment in a case involving two former sanitation workers for the a Town. The case received significant local media attention, and the workers were nicknamed the “Sanitation 2” in the press.… Read More
Cranfill Sumner to Sponsor 2013 Attorneys Conference in Wrightsville Beach
Cranfill Sumner is a bronze sponsor for the Attorneys Conference for the NC Association of County Attorneys and the NC Association of Social Services Attorneys.… Read More
Hartzog, Jr. Obtains Dismissal in All Claims Brought by Union Against Town
In a case that received significant media attention, Dan Hartzog, Jr. obtained dismissal of all claims in a lawsuit brought by a local protective union, the former president of the union and several members against a City.… Read More
Former Police Officer Denied Recovery for Alleged Constitutional Violations
Dan Hartzog, Jr. successfully defended a city facing a federal lawsuit brought by a former Police Lieutenant who was terminated a few days after he was named the next Police Chief of the City.… 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 Attorneys Successfully Defend Fire Department
Paul Derrick and Katie Weaver Hartzog successfully defended a local fire department and its chief facing claims for wrongful discharge, violations of civil rights, violations of union organizing rights, and First Amendment restraint in the US District Court for the Eastern District of NC. … Read More
Sexual Harassment and Defamation Claims Dismissed against City
Katie Weaver Hartzog obtained summary judgment on behalf of a City in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of N.C. with regard to plaintiff’s claims of Title VII retaliation and constructive discharge, defamation, and interference with prospective contract. … Read More
Town Successfully Defends Against Claims Brought by Police Officer
Dan Hartzog, Jr. successfully defended a Town against claims brought by a former police chief alleging due process and equal protection violations, invasion of privacy, wrongful termination, tortious interference with contract, and civil conspiracy.… 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
Police Officers Claims Against City Dismissed before Discovery
Katie Weaver Hartzog and Dan Hartzog obtained a Rule 12(b)(6) dismissal of a police officer’s claims that she was constructively discharged based on her refusal to “cover up” an allegedly shoddy criminal investigation.… 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
Dismissal in Matter Before Office of Administrative Hearings
Katie Weaver Hartzog obtained a dismissal of a matter filed with the North Carolina Office of Administrative Hearings after filing a motion to dismiss and supporting memorandum… Read More
Derrick and Jolly Defend Fire Department in Federal Suit
Paul Derrick and Melody Jolly represented a local fire department and its chief in this action involving claims for sexual harassment, gender discrimination, retaliatory discharge, and First Amendment restraint in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of NC. … Read More
Bolick and Lyons Successfully Defend Municipality and Board of Elections
Ryan Bolick and Janelle Lyons obtained dismissal of all plaintiff’s claims for discrimination against a municipality and its Board of Elections in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of N.C.… Read More
Firefighter Kept Loaded Gun in his Locker
Dan Hartzog, Jr. obtained summary judgment on all claims in a lawsuit brought by a firefighter against a City. The case involved a firefighter who was terminated after a loaded gun was discovered in his locker on City grounds.… Read More
Jolly Obtains Dismissal of Various Claims Against Volunteer Fire Department
In 2007, Melody Jolly successfully obtained a dismissal in her representation of a volunteer fire department.… Read More