Professionals

William L. Esser IV
William L. Esser IV

William L. Esser IV

Partner

“We work hard to understand client goals and exceed them whenever possible.”

Profile

Will Esser represents clients in state and federal court litigation and arbitration. He focuses his practice primarily on commercial litigation, bankruptcy and creditors’ rights and foreclosure and loan servicing litigation.

Mr. Esser is admitted to the United States Courts of Appeal for the Fourth, Tenth and Eleventh Circuits, as well as the federal district and bankruptcy courts for the Eastern, Middle and Western Districts of North Carolina. He clerked for the Honorable Paul J. Kelly on the United States Court of Appeals for the Tenth Circuit.

Experience Highlights

Mr. Esser advises and represents clients on a wide range of issues including:

  • Litigating breach of contract claims arising from asset purchase agreements, franchise and distributor agreements and all forms of commercial contracts
  • Litigating misrepresentation, fraud, tortious interference with business, negligence, unfair trade practices and related tort actions arising from business relationships, including sales, franchise and distributor agreements
  • Litigating complex financial instrument cases, including interest rate swap and letter of credit litigation
  • Pursuing municipal surety bond litigation
  • Real property foreclosures, receiverships and debt collection actions
  • Defending lender liability claims
  • Negotiating and litigating title insurance claims and other real property related litigation
  • Advising businesses regarding insolvency, reorganization, forbearance and workout agreements
  • Protecting the rights of lenders, landlords, equipment manufacturers and vendors in bankruptcy and receivership cases

Honors

  • Business North Carolina magazine’s “Legal Elite” in Business Law, 2012
  • Mecklenburg County Bar Volunteer Lawyer Program Pro Bono Awards, Outstanding Individual Attorney, 2011
  • Belmont Abbey College Alumni Sports Hall of Fame Inductee, Tennis, 2011
  • Recipient of the Belmont Abbey College Brother Gregory Corcoran Distinguished Alumnus of the Year Award, 2010
  • Charlotte Business Journal's 40 Under 40, 2009
  • North Carolina Super Lawyers Rising Star in Business Litigation, 2009

Events & Speaking Engagements

Memberships

  • Room at the Inn
    President, 2008-2009
  • Mecklenburg County Bar
    Communications Committee Member, 2004-2009
  • St. Thomas More Society, Inc.
    President, 2004-2006
  • United States Bankruptcy Court
    Chair, Chapter 11 Subcommittee, Western District of North Carolina Local Rules Committee, 2007
  • North Carolina Bar Association
    Council Member, Bankruptcy Section, 2004-2006
  • Belmont Abbey College
    National Board of Alumni, 2004-present; Adjunct Professor, Pre-Law Department, Spring 2006
  • Charlotte

    Charlotte

    Three Wells Fargo Center
    401 South Tryon Street
    Suite 3000
    Charlotte, NC 28202

    t 704.335.9507

    f 704.334.4706

    willesser@parkerpoe.com

Practices & Industries

Education

  • University of Notre Dame
    JD, magna cum laude, 1999
  • Belmont Abbey College
    BA, summa cum laude, 1995

Admissions

  • North Carolina, 2000
  • Florida, 1999