Ms. Haywood’s law practice is devoted to representing private property owners in land condemnation cases. She graduated in 1977 from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill with a Bachelor of Arts degree with honors in International Studies. In 1982, she received her Juris Doctor degree from the University of North Carolina School of Law.
After practicing for several years with a private law firm, Ms. Haywood went to work with the North Carolina Attorney General’s office in Raleigh. For more than nine years there, she represented the North Carolina Department of Transportation in hundreds of land condemnation cases and other matters.
In April 2000, Ms. Haywood opened her own private law practice in Raleigh, North Carolina, concentrating in the area of eminent domain and defending the rights of private property owners. In July, 2010, she merged her practice with the law firm of Nicholls & Crampton, P.A. Her unique perspective helps her advocate for her clients’ interests. She loves her law practice and fights to see that her clients are treated fairly and justly.
In 2001, Martindale-Hubbell, the worldwide directory of lawyers, gave Ms. Haywood an AV rating, its highest legal ability and ethical rating. She was selected by her peers to be included in the 2007 through 2018 editions of The Best Lawyers in America, in the area of eminent domain and condemnation law, and in 2011, 2016, 2023 and 2025 was selected as Lawyer of the Year Eminent Domain and Land Condemnation Law (Raleigh).
Areas of Practice
Eminent Domain, Inverse Condemnation, Property Rights Litigation.
Prior Professional Experience
Represented property owners in matters against:
- North Carolina Department of Transportation
- North Carolina Turnpike Authority
- Town of Cary
- City of Raleigh
- City of Greensboro
- City of Charlotte
- Town of Wake Forest
- Progress Energy
- Town of Apex
- Town of Holly Springs
- Wake County
- Moore County Airport Authority
- Town of Knightdale
- PSNC
- Piedmont Natural Gas Company
Representative Clients
- Farmers
- Business people
- Fast Food Restaurants
- Convenience Stores
- Homeowners
- Developers
Education
- University of North Carolina School of Law, J.D., 1982; articles editor, North Carolina Journal of International Law and Commercial Regulation
- University of North Carolina, B.A., with honors, 1977
Honors
- Highest rating by Martindale-Hubbell in 2010, 2011, and 2012 for legal skill and professional ethics
- Included in the 2007 through 2018 editions of The Best Lawyers in America, in the area of eminent domain and condemnation law
- Selected by Best Lawyers as Lawyer of the Year Eminent Domain and Land Condemnation Law (Raleigh 2011, 2016 and 2018)
- Selected for inclusion in the Who’s Who Top Attorneys of North America Eminent Domain Land Law Practice (2017-2018)
Publications & Speeches
- Co-author, “The Ins and Outs of Inverse Condemnation” NCAJ Trial Briefs Magazine (December 2011)
- Co-author/presenter, “Inverse Condemnation: What It Is and When to Raise the Issue” NCAJ Eminent Domain Seminar (September 2011)
- Co-author/presenter, “Relocation Benefits: Could the Process Be Any More Confusing, and How Is it a Benefit If I Have to Give it Back?” NCAJ Eminent Domain Seminar (April 2009)
- Author/presenter, “DOT v. M.M. Fowler: When Can You Use ‘Lost Profits’ and Other Financial Information From Business Generated on the Property to Determine Value?” (March 2007)
- Author/presenter, “Pitfalls in Dealing with Public Condemnors,” Academy of Trial Lawyers – Land Condemnation Roundtable Seminar (April 2005)
- Author/presenter, “Superior Court Judges Conference – Eminent Domain,” (June 2004)
- Seminar planner, North Carolina Bar Association – Land Condemnation Seminar (October 2004)
- Co-author/presenter, “Relocation Assistance: Cutting-edge Issues in Land Condemnation,” NCBA Land Condemnation Seminar (October 2004)
- Co-author, “Eminent Domain – Condemnation General Practice Notebook,” (October 2004)
- Author/presenter, “The Condemnation Case from Design to Filing Suit: What’s Happening Before the Landowner Contacts You!” (April 2003)
- Author/presenter, “Getting Around the Median: Can the Exercise of ‘Police Power’ Ever Be Compensable?” NC Academy of Trial Lawyers – Land Condemnation Roundtable Seminar (December 2002)
Civic Involvement
- Board of Directors, Arts and Science Foundation, UNC-Chapel Hill
- UNC Law Alumni Advancement Committee
- Women’s Leadership Council, UNC-Chapel Hill
- Board of Directors, Wake County Bar Association and 10th Judicial Bar Association (1992-1993, 2003-2004)
- Christ Episcopal Church, Past Chair, Outreach Ministries Committee & Member of Vestry
- Board of Directors & Co-Partner, StepUp Ministry
Professional Memberships
- North Carolina Bar Association
- Wake County Bar Association
- 10th Judicial District Bar
- North Carolina Advocates for Justice
- North Carolina Association of Women Attorneys
Interests
- Traveling, gardening, cooking, volunteering and family
