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Joseph P. McGuire

Joe’s expertise ranges from contracts and intra-corporate conflict to torts, trade secrets, insurance and municipal matters. He focuses on contract disputes, municipal liability, shareholder rights, governance of limited liability companies, unfair and deceptive trade practices, insurance coverage, business fraud and property disputes. Joe helps his clients with business disputes that may be resolved through negotiation, mediation or litigation. He has more than 40 years of experience in the state and federal courts at both trial and appellate levels. The Joseph P. McGuire First Year Seminar on Critical Thinking at UNC-Chapel Hill is named for him.

CLIENT SUCCESSES

  • Dismissal of claims for breach of employment contract and fraud.
  • Invalidation of an executive’s covenant not to compete.
  • Dismissal of claims for fraud and negligence by a prospective borrower.
  • Injunction prohibiting an associate’s interference with corporate operations.
  • Dismissal of defamation claims by a former employee.
  • Enforcement of a contract for the purchase of a commercial building.
  • Jury award exceeding $1,200,000 for the collapse of a building.
  • Injunction prohibiting wrongful sale of oil and gas interests.
  • Demolition of a residence built in violation of municipal requirements.

REPORTED DECISIONS

  • Parks v. Johnson, 282 N.C. App. 124, 870 S.E.2d 280, review denied, 2022 N.C. LEXIS 1194 (2022) (failure of residuary devise upon unfulfillment of condition precedent).
  • Roberson v. TruPoint Bank, 281 N.C. App. 45, 868 S.E.2d 345 (2021), review denied 2022 N.C. LEXIS 598 (2022) (no duty of care owed by bank during loan process).
  • Draughon v. Smith, 2021 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 20293 (E.D.N.C. 2021) (at-will employment agreement).
  • Taube v. Hooper, 2020 N.C. App. 201, 840 S.E.2d 313 (2020) (defamation).
  • Fortner v. Hornbuckle, 2017 N.C. App. LEXIS 721, 803 S.E.2d 869 (2017) (exclusion of evidence and jury instructions).
  • Fortner v. Hornbuckle, 235 N.C. App. 247, 761 S.E.2d 683 (2014) (decedent’s deeds as completed gifts).
  • Cebula v. Givens Estates, Inc., 763 S.E.2d 338, 2014 N.C. App. LEXIS 766 (2014) (services agreement for retirement community).
  • Timber Integrated Investments, LLC v. Welch, 763 S.E.2d 17, 2014 N.C. App. LEXIS 736 (2014) (enforcement of a settlement agreement).
  • Rutherford Plantation, LLC v. The Challenge Golf Group of the Carolinas, LLC, 367 N.C. 197, 753 S.E.2d 152 (2014) (application of the anti-deficiency statute).
  • Williams v. Humphreys, 2013 N.C. App. LEXIS 513, 744 S.E.2d 496 (2013) (physician’s negligence during surgery).
  • McClure v. County of Jackson, 185 N.C.App. 462,648 S.E.2d 546 (2007)(county’s liability for unlawful removal of chair of local airport authority).
  • Smith v. Jackson County Board of Education, 168 N.C.App. 452, 608 S.E.2d 399 (2005)(school board’s liability for coach’s misconduct with student).
  • VisionAir, Inc. v. James, 167 N.C.App. 504, 606 S.E.2d 359 (2004)(injunctive relief for misappropriation of computer trade secrets).
  • Layman v. Alexander, 343 F.Supp.2d 483 (W.D.N.C. 2004)(sheriff’s liability for detention officers’ indifference to arrestee’s medical needs).
  • Doyle v. Asheville Orthopedic Associates, 148 N.C.App. 173, 557 S.E.2d 577 (2001), rev. denied, 355 N.C. 348, 562 S.E.2d 278 (2002)(employer liability for constructive discharge of physician employee).
  • Millar v. Reliastar Life Ins. Co., 157 F.Supp.2d 645 (W.D.N.C. 2000)(arbitrability of insurance dispute).
  • Prentiss v. Allstate Ins. Co., 7 F.Supp.2d 514 (W.D.N.C. 1999)(constitutionality of provision of state driver incentive plan).
  • D’Alessandro v. Westall, 972 F.Supp. 965 (W.D.N.C. 1997)(municipal liability for high speed police pursuit).
  • Toms v. Lawyers Mutual Liab. Ins. Co., 104 N.C.App. 88, 408 S.E.2d 206 (1991), cert. denied, 330 N.C. 618, 412 S.E.2d 95 (1992)(insurer duty to defend under professional liability policy).
  • Mountain Federal Land Bank v. First Union National Bank, 98 N.C.App. 195, 390 S.E.2d 679, cert. denied, 327 N.C. 141, 394 S.E.2d 178 (1990)(enforceability of bank’s standby letter of credit).
  • Leasing Service Corp. v. Crane, 804 F.2d 828 (4th Cir. 1986)(well drilling company’s liabilities under equipment lease).
  • Stines v. Willyng, Inc., 81 N.C.App. 98, 344 S.E.2d 546 (1986)(enforceability of park easement described in developer’s plat).
  • Land-of-Sky Regional Council v. County of Henderson, 78 N.C.App. 86, 336 S.E.2d 653 (1985)(county’s liability for share of regional council’s budget).

 

 

COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT

Joe’s community involvement includes participation with:

  • Chair of the Board of Givens Communities
  • Member of the Board of Blue Ridge Public Radio
  • Member of the Board of Leadership Asheville Forum
  • Member of the Board of Lenoir-Rhyne University (chair of the Board’s Instruction and Student Life Committee)
  • Central United Methodist Church, Administrative Board Member, Teacher and Usher
  • Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Association, former Board Member
  • Harry C. Martin American Inn of Court, Former President

EDUCATION

UNC-Chapel Hill (Morehead Scholar) (B.A., 1972)
Harvard Law School (Moot Court Finalist) (J.D., 1975)

BAR

North Carolina State Bar (1975)
U.S. District Court for the Western District of North Carolina (1976)

HONORS

Centennial Award from N.C. State Bar and Buncombe County Bar

Citizen Lawyer Award from N.C. State Bar

Distinguished Leadership Award from National Association of Community Leadership

Circle of Excellence Award from Leadership Asheville Forum

Induction into the Order of the Long Leaf Pine (2023)

Best Lawyers in America®, Commercial Litigation (2014 – 2024)

North Carolina Super Lawyers®, Business Litigation (2006, 2010 – 2024)

Business North Carolina’s Legal Elite (2016 – 2022)

Martindale-Hubble Rated AV Preeminent Attorney

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