Hank is a native of Charlotte, North Carolina, and has lived in Raleigh since 1991. He has been in private law practice continuously since graduation from law school in 1983. Before attending law school, he obtained a Bachelor of Science degree in Civil Engineering, and was employed in the practice of Civil Engineering with extensive involvement in public works projects, including solid waste and wastewater management, utility line and highway construction, and planning and zoning administration. His law practice concentrates on government and construction contract and surety law, as well as bankruptcy law relating to the construction industry. Hank is a certified Superior Court Mediator in North Carolina.

Court Admissions

  • State of North Carolina, 1983
  • U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit, 1988
  • U.S. District Court for the Middle District of North Carolina, 1983
  • U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of North Carolina, 1993
  • U.S. District Court for the Western District of North Carolina, 1993
  • U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Middle District of North Carolina, 1983
  • U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Eastern District of North Carolina, 1993
  • U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Western District of North Carolina, 1993

Education

  • B.S., Civil Engineering, Clemson University, 1975
  • Civil Engineering Graduate Program, Clemson University, 1975-1977
  • J.D., cum laude, Mercer University School of Law, 1983
    • Editor, Mercer Law Review

Employment

  • Conner Gwyn Schenck PLLC, 2001-Present
  • Ellzey & Brooks, PLLC, 1997-2001
  • Ogletree, Deakins, Nash, Smoak & Stewart, P.C., 1991-1997
  • Nichols, Caffrey, Hill, Evans & Murrell, 1983-1991
  • City of Lancaster, South Carolina, City Engineer, 1977-1980

Professional Activities & Affiliations

  • Member, American Bar Association Forum on Construction Law, Surety and Fidelity Subcommittee
  • North Carolina Bar Association Technology Advisory Committee, Member 2006-2017, Chair 2014-2016
  • Member, North Carolina Bar Association Construction Law Section
  • Member, North Carolina Bar Association Construction Law Section Council, 1995-1998
  • Member, North Carolina Bar Association Construction Law Section/Carolinas Associated General Contractors Liaison Committee, 2005-Present
  • Member, Carolinas Associated General Contractors, Legislative Committee, 1999-2001
  • Member, The Associated General Contractors of America, Surety Bonding Committee, 2003-Present
  • Member, Associated Builders and Contractors, Inc., Carolinas Chapter, Governmental Affairs Committee, 2011-Present
  • Member, Surety Claims Institute

Honors

  • Martindale-Hubbell (“AV”) Peer Review Rated
  • Best Lawyers in America for Construction Law, 2008-Present
  • Best Lawyers in America, Litigation-Construction, 2009-Present
  • Best Lawyers – Lawyer of the Year, Litigation-Construction, 2012

Publications

  • Co-author, NORTH CAROLINA CONSTRUCTION LAW TREATISE, Thomson Reuters, 2024 ed. (View PDF) (Purchase)
  • Author, “Dealing with Performance Bond Sureties: The Surety’s Perspective,” Change Order, Vol. 19, No. 2, 2005

Speeches, Panel Discussions & Seminars

  • Co-author, “Best Practices for Negotiating Takeover and Tender Agreements,”  Surety Claims Institute, June 2018
  • “Effects of Bankruptcy: Perspective of the Surety,” North Carolina Bar Association Construction Law Section, Winter Program, February 23, 2012
  • “Public Contracting in North Carolina,” Lorman Education Services, 2001
  • “Mechanics’ Lien Law and Strategies in North Carolina,” NBI, Inc., 2000
  • “Claims Management by the General Contractor & Surety,” North Carolina Bar Association Construction Law Section, Annual Meeting, 1997