Biography
Colin represents land owners, developers and local governments in state and federal court on a myriad of land use, zoning and environmental issues. He has also successfully represented land owners and developers in proceedings before local Boards of Adjustment, City Councils, and County Commissioners on a variety of complex and controversial land use projects.
Colin also devotes a substantial part of his practice to civil litigation, representing clients in a wide range of complex business disputes including corporate governance disputes, government-related disputes, tax litigation, antitrust matters, construction disputes, and trade secret litigation.
Areas of Focus
+Land Use, Zoning, & Environmental
- Successfully represented landowners and developers in obtaining rezoning, special use permit, and other entitlement approvals for commercial, industrial, office, and residential development, including obtaining favorable court decisions upholding approval for certain projects
- Obtained approvals on behalf of property owners for development projects within designated Historic Districts
- Successfully represented adjacent landowners in mitigating adverse impacts of proposed development, including obtaining favorable court decisions upholding denial of certain projects
+Government
- Has obtained favorable court decisions and settlements on behalf of municipalities and counties concerning a variety of development issues, including zoning, land use, and utility issues
- Represented local governments in proceedings to enforce zoning ordinances, building codes, and other regulations
- Regularly advises local governments on development issues, including zoning ordinance amendments, annexation, and utility expansion issues
+Business Litigation
- Successfully represented shareholders, officers, and directors in actions alleging fraud, breaches of fiduciary duties, and other corporate misconduct
- Obtained dismissal of multiple claims against corporate defendant asserted by former shareholders in North Carolina Business Court
- Obtained favorable settlement for corporate plaintiff in multi-million dollar dispute over royalty payments
Credentials
+Community & Professional Activities
Leadership Raleigh 37, Raleigh Chamber of Commerce, 2018-2019
North Carolina Bar Association – Zoning, Planning & Land Use Section YLD Liaison, 2021-Current
Wake County Bar Association
+Education
Campbell University School of Law, J.D., 2014
University of South Carolina-Columbia, BA, 2011, magna cum laude
+Notable Accomplishments
Recognized in The Best Lawyers in America® (Commercial Litigation) 2025; (Real Estate Law) 2025; and The Best Lawyers in America® “Ones to Watch” (Commercial Litigation) 2021, 2023-2024; (Land Use and Zoning Law) 2023-2024; (Real Estate Law) 2023-2024
Ranked among Super Lawyers magazine’s North Carolina “Rising Stars”, 2021-2024
Symposium Editor
Campbell Law Review
Moot Court Team
Phi Beta Kappa
