Neale Johnson

Practice Areas

Co-Chair of the Litigation Department, Neale empowers construction industry stakeholders to solve tough legal problems.

Neale applies more than 20 years of experience with construction dispute resolution to negotiate contracts that reduce the likelihood of disputes by allocating risks before project commencement. When challenges arise, Neale helps clients navigate them with a laser focus on preserving relationships and resolving disagreements at the business level. When disputes are unavoidable, Neale zealously represents clients in court and arbitration. He also works with construction clients facing regulatory issues, such as licensing and disciplinary matters.

In addition to extensive experience prosecuting and defending claims in court and arbitration, Neale is well versed in collaborative practice (a form of lawyer-assisted bilateral negotiation) and mediation. Neale is certified as a Superior Court Mediator by the North Carolina Dispute Resolution Commission and listed as a mediator and arbitrator on the American Arbitration Association’s construction industry and commercial arbitration panels.

Neale helps clients resolve disputes involving real estate, title insurance claims and coverage, financial services/banking, collections and general commercial disputes. He represents banks and borrowers in a variety of financial services disputes, including securities disputes, judgment enforcement, enforcement of loan documents, and foreclosures/claim and delivery proceedings to recover collateral. Neale’s experience includes both retail and commercial lending.

He regularly teaches continuing education for contractors approved by the North Carolina Licensing Board for General Contractors through programs sponsored by the Carolinas Chapter of the Associated General Contractors (AGC).

Career

Neale was a partner and Construction Industry Group leader at Smith Moore Leatherwood LLP, which combined with Fox Rothschild in 2018. He served as a commissioned officer in the Marine Corps and Marine Corps Reserves from 1988-2004, and was an Artillery Fire Direction Officer and Platoon Commander during Persian Gulf War (1990-91).

Professional Memberships

American Bar Association Forum on Construction Law, Governing Committee (2023-2026), Immediate Past Chair of Division 9: Subcontractors & Suppliers (2018-20), Midwinter Meeting Program Co-Chair (2017) | North Carolina Bar Association, Member, Construction Section Council, Member, Dispute Resolution Section Council (Arbitration Subcommittee Chair)

Personal

University of Virginia School of Law (J.D.) | University of South Carolina (B.A., magna cum laude)

Expert in these Jurisdictions

Bar Admission: North Carolina