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Michael J. Crook

Partner
Raleigh | 919.835.4522
Fax | 919.834.4564

Michael Crook represents governmental, business, and professional clients in all phases of state and federal litigation, from pre-dispute resolution through appeal.

Michael has a particular focus on eminent domain and real estate litigation and has been recognized by The Best Lawyers in America® for his work in those fields.

In his eminent domain work, Michael regularly represents municipalities, government agencies, transportation authorities, utilities, and other condemnors in a variety of settings, ranging from small takings to large, high-profile projects. Through his work, Michael has facilitated the expansion of public transportation, upgraded and expanded utility systems, promoted the development of public projects, and broadened the availability of domestic energy sources. Michael also represents commercial landowners in condemnation proceedings brought by the North Carolina Department of Transportation. Outside of the context of eminent domain, Michael advises developers in land use disputes and represents landlords and tenants in commercial lease disputes. Additionally, Michael is panel counsel for one of the country’s largest title insurance companies and prosecutes title curative actions across North Carolina on behalf of its insureds.

Michael also defends automotive dealerships against consumer claims in arbitration and in court. He has extensive experience with claims relating to negligence, breach of contract, collection matters, and other business disputes. His clients include dealerships with a nationwide presence, regional dealerships, and one-store dealerships. He is active in the National Association of Dealer Counsel and is a member of the North Carolina Automotive Dealers Association.

Michael chairs the firm’s Pro Bono Committee, coordinating pro bono initiatives across all eight of the firm’s offices for the firm’s nearly 300 lawyers. Under Michael’s leadership, the North Carolina Bar Association honored Parker Poe with the Outstanding Collaborative/Group Pro Bono Service Award and the Law Firm Pro Bono Award. The first award recognized Parker Poe’s partnership with Pisgah Legal Services to represent Afghan evacuees in applying for asylum in western North Carolina after the Taliban took control of Afghanistan. The second recognized the firm’s work in representing the interests of abused and neglected children, advising on the development of affordable housing for senior citizens, protecting the intellectual property rights of nonprofits, and providing legal assistance to refugees seeking asylum from Afghanistan, Ukraine, and other countries. Michael is personally involved with numerous legal services organizations including Pisgah Legal Services and the Heir Property Pro Bono Project through Legal Aid of North Carolina.

When not practicing law, Michael enjoys traveling, going to the beach, and cheering on the Tar Heels.

Representative Experience

Eminent Domain

  • Acquired easements and rights-of-way for client in connection with a multi-mile right-of-way project across numerous counties.
  • Advised utility about right-of-way acquisition in a high-profile, multibillion-dollar project.
  • Represented local public utility in connection with acquisition of easements in dense commercial areas.
  • Represented transportation authority in acquisition of approximately 23 acres for a maintenance facility.

Real Estate Litigation

  • Secured dismissal of homeowners association from lawsuit against developer concerning access to common areas.
  • Obtained summary judgment for landowners seeking to redevelop a golf course and defended the order on appeal to the North Carolina Court of Appeals and Supreme Court.
  • Enforced and upheld utility’s easement rights by obtaining declaratory relief and defended ruling on appeal before the North Carolina Court of Appeals.
  • Successfully argued dispositive motions on legal and equitable issues on behalf of a secured lender in connection with real estate litigation.

General Litigation

  • Obtained defense verdict for a large broker-dealer in a FINRA arbitration involving claims of defamation and retaliation valued at more than $9 million.
  • Resolved pre-suit tort claims for a Fortune 500 company.
  • Defended automotive dealerships in litigation and arbitration against consumer claims alleging improper repairs, breaches of warranty, and other allegations.
  • Reached favorable settlement of claims of defamation and tortious interference for a client in the financial services industry.
  • Resolved customer complaints through a broker-dealer's early dispute resolution program.
  • Defended contractors and design professionals in construction litigation, including scheduling disputes, delay/disruption claims, design defects, and construction defects.

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Honors & Awards

  • Triangle Business Journal's 40 Under 40, 2024
  • The Best Lawyers in America in Eminent Domain and Condemnation Law, Real Estate Litigation, 2024-2025
  • North Carolina Pro Bono Honor Society, 2018-2023

Memberships

  • International Right of Way Association
  • North Carolina Bar Association
  • Wake County Bar Association
  • National Association of Dealer Counsel
  • Friends of the City of Raleigh Museum, Board of Directors, 2016-2019