Susan Strayhorn Barbour

Susan focuses on real estate law and advises clients in the purchase and sale of industrial and commercial sites, as well as residential and commercial developments, including single and multi-tenant commercial centers and residential properties. With her expertise, she prepares covenants, conditions and restrictions; reviews and prepares rights of ways and easements; examines titles; closes loans; and prepares leases, option agreements, purchase contracts and associated development documentation. Susan chairs the firm’s Real Property and Development team. A North Carolina native, Susan has maintained a practice devoted exclusively to real estate matters in Western North Carolina.

Client Successes

• Represented clients in the sales and purchases of commercial development sites with multiple cross easements for access and utilities
• Represented a regional lender in the commercial financing of new construction and development projects
• Represented a developer for a multi-phase planned community, including zoning review and approvals; access and utility easement acquisition and the development of covenants and restrictions
• Assisted clients in the purchase of large-acreage tracts
• Served as an expert witness in real estate litigation involving a property owner association’s rights related to lake and dock rights and rights to assess for development infrastructure maintenance

Community Involvement

Susan’s community involvement includes work with:

• Real Property Section of the North Carolina Bar Association
• Real Property Section and Law Practice Management Section of the American Bar Association
• Asheville Humane Society (Member of Governance Committee, Chair of Board, 2016-2017)
• North Carolina Association of Women Attorneys (Former Board Member)
• OnTrack Financial Education and Counseling, Guest Instructor
• Girl Scouts Carolinas Peaks to Piedmont Charitable Trust (Trustee)
• YMCA of Western North Carolina (Member, Facilities Committee)

Bar

North Carolina (1984)

N.C. State Bar Board Certified Specialist in Commercial Real Property Law

Education

University of North Carolina School of Law (J.D. with honors, 1984)

Holderness Moot Court Team, Member

University of North Carolina (B.A. Political Science and Economics, 1981)

Phi Beta Kappa, Member
Order of the Golden Fleece, Member

Awards

Martindale-Hubbell AV Preeminent® (2020) - Highest Possible Rating in Both Legal Ability & Ethical Standards

Business North Carolina's Legal Elite (2013 - 2019)

Best Lawyers of America (2019 - 2020)

Best Lawyers in America "Lawyer of the Year 2020" for Real Estate Law in Asheville

28th Judicial District Bar Professionalism Award

Women of Wisdom Silver Service Award from North Carolina Association of Women Attorneys

Tribute to Women of Influence Award at 18th Annual YWCA of Asheville Awards