Drew focuses his practice on business litigation, regulatory disputes, and appeals. He is a member of both the Litigation Section and the Land Use, Government, and Environmental Section.
He regularly assists clients with matters before North Carolina's appellate courts. Prior to joining the firm, he served for two years as a law clerk to Senior Associate Justice Mark D. Martin of the Supreme Court of North Carolina.
Drew maintains an active pro bono practice. He is also an adjunct professor at the UNC School of Law, where he has taught Appellate Advocacy and first-year courses in legal reasoning and writing.
Representative Experience
- Terreco Properties, LLC v. Avahoula Resources, LLC
(AAA Arbitration)
We represented North Carolina landowners in defense of a complex, multi-million dollar arbitration involving claims for lost profits, compensatory damages, and attorneys' fees. The case centered on a failed venture to obtain the necessary environmental permits for a post-Hurricane Katrina storm debris landfill on land our clients owned in Louisiana. The plaintiff, a start-up engineering and consulting company, alleged that our clients fraudulently induced it to enter the venture, then undermined the permit through unauthorized contacts with environmental regulators. After a multi-week hearing on the merits, all claims were dismissed.
- Laws v. Priority Trustee Services of North Carolina, LLC
(U.S. District Court, Western District of North Carolina)
We represented a trustee services company in defense of a federal class action seeking millions in damages for alleged fraud and unfair and deceptive trade practices. We moved to dismiss the complaint on the basis that the plaintiffs had impermissibly relied on lawyer ethics rules to establish liability. All claims were dismissed.
- USAble Life v. Trent
(U.S. District Court, Eastern District of North Carolina)
We represented a life insurance beneficiary in defense of a federal interpleader action involving allegations of undue influence and forgery. The case settled at mediation for a nominal amount.