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Michael S. Rainey
Shareholder
Michael focuses his practice on the field of complex civil litigation and is the leader of Young Moore’s Condemnation and Eminent Domain Team. He frequently represents landowners, businesses, and developers whose property is taken or threatened by the condemnation and eminent domain powers of public entities, such as the Department of Transportation, and private entities such as energy and utility companies. Michael also litigates trucking and transportation, product liability, and premises liability cases, with an emphasis on wrongful death and catastrophic injury claims. As a member of the firm’s Transportation “Go Team”, Michael has substantial experience in coordinating emergency response and investigation of catastrophic losses throughout North Carolina.
Michael is licensed to practice in the North Carolina State Courts and Federal District Courts for the Eastern, Middle, and Western Districts. He represents numerous national clients on a state-wide basis and regularly represents and defends commercial motor carriers, business owners, product manufacturers, product distributors, and retail establishments. He frequently speaks throughout the country on issues related to high stakes litigation.
Michael received his undergraduate degree from North Carolina State University and graduated cum laude from Campbell University’s Norman Adrian Wiggins School of Law in 2007, where he served as Chief Articles Editor of the Campbell Law Review. He joined Young Moore and Henderson in 2008 and is an active member of the North Carolina Trucking Association. Michael is named in the 2024 edition of The Best Lawyers in America© in the area of Product Liability Litigation-Defendants and he is recognized by Super Lawyers® in the North Carolina Rising Stars category (2014-2021). He holds an AV rating from Martindale-Hubbell
In his spare time, Michael enjoys spending time with his family, working outdoors, and cheering for the Wolfpack.
Education & Bar Admissions
- J.D., cum laude, Campbell University School of Law, 2007
- B.S., magna cum laude, North Carolina State University
Admitted in
- North Carolina, 2007
- U.S. District Courts for North Carolina
Achievements
- AV rating from Martindale-Hubbell
- Named in 2024 edition of The Best Lawyers in America© in area of Product Liability Litigation-Defendants
- Selected to the North Carolina Rising Stars list (2014-2021) published by Super Lawyers®
- Chief Articles Editor, Campbell Law Review
Activities
- Raleigh Board of Adjustment (June 2018 – June 2020)
- ALFA International
- Product Liability and Complex Tort Practice Group, Steering Committee, Marketing Chair
- Trucking and Transportation Practice Group, Member
- North Carolina Trucking Association
- Emerging Leaders Program (2016-2017)
Publications & Presentations
- “The Rise of Virtual Focus Groups: How Remote Video Conferencing Platforms are Changing the Traditional Focus Group and How Defense Counsel Can Leverage These Technologies,” Panel Moderator, ALFA International Product Liability and Complex Torts Seminar, San Diego, California, June 2022
- “Best Strategies for Achieving Early Resolution,” Trucking Claims Boot Camp, Omaha, Nebraska, March 2020
- “Best Strategies for Achieving Early Resolution,” Trucking Claims Boot Camp, Denver, Colorado, March 2020
- “Common Mistakes In Catastrophic Accident Investigation And How To Avoid Them,” Trucking Claims Boot Camp, Lloyd’s of London, London, England, July 2019
- “Common Mistakes In Catastrophic Accident Investigation And How To Avoid Them,” Trucking Claims Boot Camp, New Jersey, June 2019
- “Social Media Tips and Tricks for Pre-Litigation Claims,” ALFA International Product Liability and Complex Torts Seminar, Charlotte, North Carolina, April 2019
- “The Ethical Discovery of Social Media,” DRI Product Liability Conference,” presenter, Las Vegas, NV, 2015
- Panelist on “Best Practice Procedures: What to Say and Not Say After a CMV Incident,” North Carolina Trucking Association, Safety & Human Resources Council Meeting, January 20, 2015
- “Navigating the Internet: The Ethical Use of Social Media in the Trucking Litigation Context,” American Conference Institute’s 4th National Forum on Defending and Managing Trucking Litigation, presenter, Chicago, IL, 2014
Milestones
- Negotiated settlement for client impacted by Chatham County sewer improvement project and obtained six times the initial written offer submitted by condemning authority.
- Negotiated settlement for client impacted by I-40 widening project in Johnston County involving a landlocked parcel with no means of access prior to the taking. Obtained five times the initial written offer submitted by NCDOT.
- Negotiated settlement for an easement sought by Atlantic Coast Pipeline Project in Eastern North Carolina that was more than 13 times the initial written offer submitted by the condemning authority.
- Negotiated settlement for a relocation/moving expense claim for the NCDOT’s taking of a commercial client’s existing leasehold that was more than 9 times the initial written offer submitted by the NCDOT.
- Assisted in obtaining summary judgment in favor of tire manufacturer based on application of North Carolina statute of repose where plaintiff’s demand exceeded $53 million.
- Obtained directed verdict in favor of motor carrier involved in multi-vehicle accident based on lack of admissible evidence of negligence.
Disclaimer: The above information may not necessarily reflect the attorney’s entire record, and the outcome of any particular future matter cannot be predicated on the attorney’s or law firm’s past results.