Since joining Nicholls & Crampton in 2013, Steve has focused his practice on representing property owners in eminent domain cases. Steve graduated from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Political Science and Philosophy. He received his J.D. and M.B.A. from Campbell University, graduating Magna Cum Laude from the law school and Summa Cum Laude from the business school. Prior to joining Nicholls & Crampton, Steve served as a federal law clerk to the Honorable Stephani W. Humrickhouse, United States Bankruptcy Judge for the Eastern District of North Carolina. In addition to his eminent domain practice, Steve represents property owners in land use matters as well as real estate and property rights litigation.
Professional Experience
Steve has represented all types of property owners, from publicly traded companies to individual homeowners, in eminent domain cases throughout North Carolina. He has successfully represented owners in jury trials, commissioners’ hearings, and other eminent domain proceedings against state agencies, local governments, and private utility companies, including matters against:
- North Carolina Department of Transportation
- North Carolina Turnpike Authority
- Wake County
- Johnston County
- City of Raleigh
- City of Charlotte
- City of Greensboro
- City of Greenville
- City of Hickory
- Town of Apex
- Town of Cary
- Town of Holly Springs
- Town of Wake Forest
- Town of Siler City
- Cape Fear Public Utility Authority
- Piedmont Natural Gas
- PSNC, Inc.
- Duke Energy Progress, LLC
- Atlantic Coast Pipeline
Areas of Practice
- Eminent Domain & Land Condemnation
- Real Estate & Property Rights Litigation
- Land Use Law
Bar Admissions
- North Carolina, 2012
- U.S. District Court Eastern District of North Carolina, 2014
- U.S. District Court Middle District of North Carolina, 2014
Education
- Campbell University School of Law, Raleigh, North Carolina
- J.D. magna cum laude
- Law Review: Campbell Law Review, Business Editor, 2010 – 2012
- Campbell Business School, Raleigh, North Carolina
- M.B.A. summa cum laude
- University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, North Carolina
- B.A. – 2009
- Major: Political Science, Philosophy
Seminars/Presentations
- Working with Appraisers and Other Experts: Are You Up to Date on Expert Testimony, Broker Price Opinions, Lay Testimony, and Landowner Testimony, NCAJ Eminent Domain Seminar (2023)
- Hot Topics and Ideas on Handling PUEs, Access Issues and New Designs, NCAJ Eminent Domain Seminar (2022)
- Getting the Most Out of Your Valuation Experts, NCAJ Eminent Domain Seminar (2021)
- Establishing Damages in Partial Takings, NCAJ Eminent Domain Seminar (2019)
- The Law of Eminent Domain: A Practical Guild to Property Owner Representation in North Carolina Condemnation Cases, Wake County Bar Association CLE (2018)
- Eminent Domain Case Law Update, NCAJ Eminent Domain Seminar (2017, 2018)
- Creative Approaches to Proving Damages in Partial Takings, NCAJ Eminent Domain Seminar (2016)
- Combating Condemnor Challenges and Strategies, NCAJ Eminent Domain Seminar (2015)
- Practical Tips for Trying Cases Involving Limitation of Access, NCAJ Eminent Domain Seminar (2014)
Honors and Awards
- Business North Carolina, Legal Elite (2016-2018)
- Super lawyers, Rising Star (2022)
Professional Associations and Memberships
- North Carolina Bar Association
- Wake County Bar Association
- 10th Judicial District Bar
- North Carolina Advocates for Justice, Eminent Domain Section
