Our attorneys have provided advice on and litigated a wide variety of constitutional issues under both the federal and state constitutions. In addition, one of our partners, Robert W. Spearman, served as a clerk to a justice at the United States Supreme Court.

Experience Highlights

• Leandro v. State, 346 N.C. 336, 488 S.E. 2d 249 (NC Supreme Court, 1997) – Established the state constitutional right to a sound basic education for all public school students in North Carolina.
• City of Concord v. All Owners of Taxable Property, 330 N.C. 429, 410 S.E.2d 482 (1991) – Rejected state constitutional challenge to validity of municipal bonds.
• Wayne County Citizens Ass'n v. Wayne County Bd. of Com'rs, 328 N.C. 24, 399 S.E.2d 311 (1991) – Held that state statute authorizing local governments to finance construction by installment contracts that create a security interest was valid under the state constitution.
• Cheape v. Town of Chapel Hill, 320 N.C. 549, 359 S.E.2d 792 (1987) – Upheld a local act permitting town to participate in development projects with private developers against state constitutional challenge.
• Almond v. Boyles, 612 F. Supp. 223 (E.D.N.C. 1985), aff'd in relevant part, 792 F.2d 451 (4th Cir. 1986), cert denied, 479 U.S. 1091, 107 S. Ct. 1302, 94 L.Ed.2d 157 (1987) – Suit by class of visually-impaired persons under a federal statute against North Carolina, which was defended (unsuccessfully) on 11th Amendment grounds.

News

• Parker Poe Grows Resort, Hospitality and Planned Development Practice with the Addition of Richard M. Unger
  March 7, 2008
• Parker Poe Attorneys Appointed to North Carolina State Committee of the American College of Trial Lawyers
  November 1, 2005
• Law Firm Continues To Aid Hoke County School System Long After Conclusion Of Landmark Leandro Case
  July 29, 2005
• Parker Poe Attorney Bob Spearman's Victory in Leandro Hailed as Landmark Case for North Carolina, Nation
  August 26, 2004

Case Studies

• Leandro Hailed as Landmark Decision