Biography
Emily devotes much of her practice to cases that turn on property valuation and has significant experience with appraisals and appraisal practice. Before joining Poyner Spruill, she represented the United States in property-related litigation at the U.S. Department of Justice.
Emily has represented clients in litigation involving the value of commercial property, such as retail stores, offices, subdivisions, multi-family housing, manufacturing facilities, and airport property.
Areas of Focus
+Eminent Domain & Condemnation
- Represents property owner in a condemnation case against the NCDOT, involving the value of commercial property involving retail and office space.
- Represented real estate developer in a condemnation case against the NCDOT, involving the value of a platted, but undeveloped, subdivision. The client obtained a favorable settlement at mediation.
- Represented the United States in a multi-million dollar takings claim involving large property that was not subdivided. After conducting fact and expert discovery, Emily appeared as lead counsel at trial and secured a favorable result at trial.
- Represented the United States in a multi-million dollar takings claim involving multi-family housing. After conducting fact and expert discovery, she obtained a favorable settlement for the United States at mediation.
+Government
- Assisted a local government in resolving a large claim brought by the federal government.
- Representing local governments in litigation challenging the constitutionality of their local ordinances.
- Advised a local government on legal issues with precedential importance as part of an appeal before the Property Tax Commission. The case settled favorably before hearing.
+Tax
- Represented a taxpayer in an appeal involving a denial of its application for a property-tax exemption. Obtained complete relief for the taxpayer, as the County reversed its decision and granted the exemption.
- Advises clients on potential benefits of and eligibility for Opportunity Zone tax benefits.
+Litigation
- Represents a corporate plaintiff seeking millions of dollars in royalty payments in a breach of contract action.
- Represents a coalition of craft breweries in Craft Freedom v. North Carolina, a constitutional challenge to the state’s beer-distribution laws.
Credentials
+Clerkships
Law Clerk to The Honorable Walter K. Stapleton, U.S. Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit, 2009-2010
Law Clerk to The Honorable Leonie M. Brinkema, U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia, 2008-2009
+Education
Columbia University School of Law, J.D., 2008, James Kent Scholar, 2005-2007, Harlan Fiske Stone Scholar, 2007-2008
Yale University, B.A., 2003
+Notable Accomplishments
Recognized in The Best Lawyers in America® (Commercial Litigation) 2023-2025; (Litigation and Controversy – Tax) 2025
Columbia Law Review, Articles Editor
