George B. Currin

Upon graduating from law school, George was an associate, and later partner, with the law firm of Cheshire, Parker, Hughes and Manning for five years. During that time, his practice was focused exclusively on Federal and State criminal defense, post-conviction and appeals. In 1992, George started his own law firm and for many years shared office space with the late H. Spencer Barrow, Thomas C. Worth, Jr., J. Roger Edwards, Jr. and Isabel W. Mattox. In the 1990’s, George’s practice expanded to include extensive representation in both civil and criminal appellate matters before the N.C. Court of Appeals, the Supreme Court of North Carolina and the Fourth Circuit Court of Appeals as well as numerous post-conviction cases. George’s practice also expanded to include civil litigation, including business litigation and land use litigation. George has represented clients in over 60 counties in North Carolina, in all the Federal Districts of North Carolina, and the Fourth Circuit Court of Appeals. He has also represented clients in several other states. Having practiced law since 1987, George maintains an extensive practice in the areas of appellate advocacy, criminal trial defense, civil litigation, business litigation, post-conviction representation, land use and zoning litigation in court and drug tax and forfeiture matters.

Some of George Currin’s Notable Appellate Cases

Barnes v. Thomas, 938 F. 3d 526 (4th Cir. 2019) (Obtained reversal of federal district courts denial of habeas relief in capital case along with co-counsel, Gordon Widenhouse)

Long v. Currituck County, ___ N.C. App. ___, COA 15-376 (2016) (obtained reversal of trial court’s order affirming Board of Adjustment’s interpretation of ordinance definition of single family dwelling)

Putterboy 7, LLC v. Village of Pinehurst, ___ N.C. App. ___, COA 15-757 (2016) (successfully defended Pinehurst Historic Preservation Commission’s denial of certificate of appropriateness at Board of Adjustment and in Superior Court and obtained dismissal of Appellant’s appeal in Court of Appeals)

Byrd v. Franklin County, 368 N.C. 409, 778 S.E.2d 268 (2015) (obtained reversal of Court of Appeals’ decision allowing local governments to implicitly prohibit unlisted land uses without expressly prohibiting particular uses)

Barnes v. Joyner, 751 F.3d 229 (4th Cir. 2014) (obtained reversal of federal district court’s denial of writ of habeas corpus in capital post-conviction case, along with co-counsel Gordon Widenhouse)

State v. Derbyshire, ___N.C.App. ____, 745 S.E.2d 886 (2013) (obtained reversal of trial court’s denial of motion to suppress based on lack of reasonable suspicion in DWI case)

State v. Whittington, ___N.C.App. _____, 728 S.E.2d 385 (2012) (obtained reversal of conviction in trafficking in opium case due to defective indictment)

Fort v. County of Cumberland, ___N.C.App. _____, 721 S.E.2d 350 (2012) (along with co-counsel, Robin Currin, obtained reversal of trial court ruling on county ordinance interpretation)

Mills v. Funkhouser, ___N.C.App. _____, 2012 WL 1117885, 723 S.E.2d 173 (2012) (obtained reversal of trial court’s ruling in 50-C restraining order case)

Allison v. Davidson, ___N.C.App. _____, 720 S.E.2d 29 (2011) (obtained reversal of jury verdict awarding $541,000 in damages for breach of contract, with co-counsel, Robin Currin)

Steinkrause v. Tatum, 364 N.C. 419, 700 S.E.2d 222 (2010) (DMV revocation hearing matter)

White v. McDade, Case No. 5:02-HC-382-F (EDNC 2010) (on Federal habeas corpus review from state conviction and sentence of life imprisonment, obtained federal court order vacating and setting aside conviction and sentence)

State v. Derbyshire, ___N.C.App. _____, 701 S.E.2d 404 (2010) (obtained reversal of conviction and remand based on trial court’s failure to make findings of fact in motion to suppress)

State v. Bailey, 197 N.C.App. 402, ___ S.E.2d ___ (2009) (obtained new sentencing hearing and reduced sentence based on trial court’s incorrect calculation of defendant’s prior record level in murder case)

State v. Canady, 191 N.C.App. 680, 664 S.E.2d 380 (2008) (case of first impression involving interpretation of discharging firearm into occupied dwelling statute)

State v. Johnson, 183 N.C.App. 576, 646 S.E.2d 123 (2007) (obtained reversal of conviction and new trial in violent habitual felon case based on error in jury instruction)

U.S. v. Wilder, Jr., 153 Fed.Appx. 140 (4th Cir. 2005) (obtained new sentencing hearing based on sentencing guidelines and Booker)

Lineburger v. NC DOC, Wake County, NC # 05 CVS 16414 (obtained declaratory judgment in Superior Court ordering Department of Correction to change the way it calculated the inmate’s parole eligibility). Upheld on appeal, 362 N.C. 675 (2008), 669 S.E.2d 320.

Century 21 Heritage, Inc. v. Leach, 156 N.C.App 697, 578 S.E.2d 1 (2003) (successfully defended property owner in summary judgment in appeal involving real estate broker’s commission)

State v. Pezzuto, 157 N.C.App. 575, 579 S.E.2d 520 (2003) (obtained reversal of conviction and new trial in D.W.I. case involving police officer’s false testimony)

Allstate Ins. Co. v. Lahoud, 167 N.C.App. 205, 605 S.E.2d 180 (2004) (appeal of declaratory judgment action involving interpretation of insurance policy)

Teasley v. Beck, 155 N.C.App. 282, 574 S.E.2d 137 (2002) (landmark case involving credit to gain time to inmates serving Class C life sentences)

TGC Development, Inc. v. Aegean Land Co., 151 N.C.App. 602, 2002 WL 1543731 (N.C.App.) (2002) (successfully defended appeal involving issue of unlicensed general contractor vs. unlicensed subcontractor)

Society for Preservation of Historic Oakwood v. Board of Adjustment of the City of Raleigh, 153 N.C.App. 737, 571 S.E.2d 588 (2002) (lead trial and appellate counsel, obtained reversal of trial court’s ruling on jurisdictional issue involving Board of Adjustment)

El-Haddad v. Jerry Smith Builders, 143 N.C.App. 568, 547 S.E.2d 861 (2001) (successfully defended on appeal summary judgment in case involving claims of negligent misrepresentation and unfair and deceptive trade practices)

In re Adoption of Byrd, 137 N.C.App.623, 529 S.E.2d 465 affirmed by 354 N.C. 188, 552 S.E.2d 142 (2001) (landmark case, with co-counsel, H. Spencer Barrow, involving unmarried biological father’s rights in adoption case)

Lagies v. Myers, 142 N.C.App. 239, 542 S.E.2d 336 (2001) (appeal involving time and method of exercising option agreements)

Ricks v. White Construction, 137 N.C.App. 587, 533 S.E.2d 570 (2000) (successfully obtained at trial court and defended on appeal, entry of judgment in case involving interpretation of restrictive covenant)

Vick v. Williams, 233 F.3d 213 (4th Cir. 2000) (landmark case involving N.C. Drug Tax and Federal habeas corpus review)

K & S Enterprises v. Kennedy Office Supply Co., Inc., 135 N.C.App. 260, 520 S.E.2d 122 (1999) (commercial lease agreement case involving issue of constructive eviction)

In re Will of Buck, 130 N.C.App. 408, 503 S.E.2d 126, 350 N.C. 621, 516 S.E.2d 858 (1998) (obtained reversal of trial court’s grant of directed verdict in will caveat case)

Robbins v. Freeman, 127 N.C.App. 162, 487 S.E.2d 771 (1997) (landmark case requiring N.C. Department of Correction to change the way they treat inmate’s sentences in prison)

U.S. v. Peglera, 33 F.3d 412 (4th Cir. 1994) (obtained new sentencing hearing and reduced sentence due to Government’s violation of plea agreement)

State v. Baker, 109 N.C.App. 643, 428 S.E.2d 476 (1993) (obtained reversal of conviction in indecent liberties case based on ineffective assistance of counsel)

State v. McDaniels, 103 N.C.App. 175, 405 S.E.2d 358 (1991) (case involving propriety of vehicle stop and subsequent “dog sniff” of briefcase under Fourth Amendment)

U.S. v. Burbank, IV, 907 F.2d 1140 (4th Cir. 1990) (obtained reversal of conviction due to confrontation clause violation in Federal mail and wire fraud case, along with co-counsel, Joe Cheshire)

Other Appellate Cases

Powers v. Tatum, (D.W.I. appeal involving effect of violation of statutory rights on refusal to submit to breathalyzer test)

State v. Green, 707 S.E.2d 715 (2011) (D.W.I. appeal involving expert testimony regarding blood alcohol content)

Steinkrause v. Tatum, 364 N.C. 419, 700 S.E.2d 222 (2010) (appeal involving issue of reasonable grounds and willful refusal to submit to breathalyzer test in DMV license revocation case)

U.S. v. Williams, 364 Fed.Appx. 3 (2010)

Holden v. United States, 2010 WL 3061490

Michael v. Michael, 198 N.C.App. 703, 681 S.E.2d 866 (2009) (alimony and contract case)

84 Lumber Co., L.P. v. Habitech Enterprises, Inc., 187 N.C.App. 509, 653 S.E.2d 257 (2007) (post-judgment collection procedures)

State v. Streckfuss, 171 N.C.App. 81, 614 S.E.2d 323 (2005) (involved issue of double jeopardy and out of state driver’s license)

State v. Rasmussen, 158 N.C.App. 544, 582 S.E.2d 44 (2003)

State v. Batchelor, 157 N.C.App. 421, 579 S.E.2d 422 (2003)

State v. Newsome, 355 N.C. 290, 560 S.E.2d 547 (2002)

U.S. v. Forbes, 1 Fed.Appx. 125 (2001) (Federal drug case)

State v. Jeffreys, 352 N.C. 152, 544 S.E.2d 233 (4th Cir. 2000)

State v. Vick, 130 N.C.App. 207, 502 S.E.2d 871 (1998)

U.S. v. Goodman, 14 F.3d 597 (1993) (Federal drug case)

U.S. v. Bethea, 996 F.2d 1212 (1993) (Federal drug case)

U.S. v. Cheatham, 979 F.2d 849 (1992) (Federal drug case)

U.S. v. Bissette, 943 F2d 50 (1991) (Federal drug case)

U.S. v. Barefoot, 952 F.2d 397 (1991) (Federal drug case)

Personal Background and Activities

George served on the 10th Judicial District Bar Grievance Committee and was on the Board of Directors of the North Carolina State University Club for several years. George is a member of the Appellate Section, the Land Use Section and the Criminal Law Section of the North Carolina Bar Association. George has been a member of the N.C. Academy of Trial Lawyers, the National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers and the American Bar Association. He is a member of the Buncombe County Bar Association and the North Carolina Bar Association (Appellate Section Council). He has been a lecturer and speaker at various CLE seminars. As a high school student, George was chosen to attend the Governor’s School of North Carolina.