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G. Martin Hunter
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G. Martin Hunter
Shuford Hunter, PLLC
301 S. McDowell Street
Suite 1012
Charlotte, NC 28204
Phone: (704) 377-8764 | Fax: (704) 377-8666
http://www.shufordhunterpllc.com/index.jsp
22 Yrs Bankruptcy Experience-Board Certified Specialist
Legal Topic
Bankruptcy
Preferred New Clients
I handle various types of bankruptcy cases and related state court actions such as guaranty liability. I represent both debtors and creditors.
Sub-Categories
Bankruptcy
- Chapter 13
- Chapter 7
- Debt Relief
- Garnishments
- Chapter 11
- Business Bankruptcy
- Credit Restoration
- Creditor Harassment
- Personal Bankruptcy
Bar Admissions
NC, Aug 1986
Bar Number: 13557
Other Court Admissions
Certified Specialist in Business and Consumer Bankruptcy Law by the North Carolina State Bar Board of Legal Specialization since 1995.
Association Memberships
North Carolina Bar Association Bankruptcy Section; National Association of Consumer Bankruptcy Attorneys; North Carolina State Bar; Mecklenburg County 26th Judicial District Bar.
Continuing Education
I always exceed the amount of continuing education hours, and I have taught bankruptcy law seminars for the National Business Institute.
Example Cases
Plaintiff's counsel in Charlotte Eastland Mall, LLC, v. Sole Survivor, Inc., 166 N.C.App. 659, 608 S.E.2d 70 (2004), in which the North Carolina Court of Appeals held that the implied covenant of quiet enjoyment does not impose a duty on a commercial landlord to provide security in common areas of the mall.
One case I have handled involved plaintiff's counsel in Shuford, Trustee for Walsh v. Hovis, et al., 28 F3d 1212 (4th Cir. 1994), holding that the right to purchase pro basketball tickets is an asset of value and an asset of the bankruptcy estate.
Over the years, I have represented more than 1,000 debtors in Chapter 7 and Chapter 13 cases in the bankruptcy court, and I have helped many people save their houses and get a fresh start through bankruptcy.
Education
Degree:
Bachelor of Arts
School:
Davidson College
City:
Davidson
State:
NC
Year:
1980
Focus and Accomplishments:
English major; business manager of the college newspaper.
Degree:
Juris Doctor
School:
Wake Forest University
City:
Winston-Salem
State:
NC
Year:
1986
Honors:
Scholastic Honors List (Fall 1983 and Fall 1986 - top 10% of class for semester); AmJur Award in Constitutional Law I (Fall, 1983); graduated 22nd in a class of 143.
Number of Attorneys
3
State Licensed In
North Carolina
Firm Focus and History
Shuford Hunter, PLLC, is a boutique firm with an expertise in bankruptcy and debtor-creditor matters. Our attorneys advise a wide range of individuals and businesses. We are regularly referred individuals and small businesses by larger law firms, as well as by current and former clients. We believe in helping our clients reach practical solutions to their problems in a professional, levelheaded manner. We frequently represent a diverse clientele of individuals, debtors, trustees, and unsecured creditors' committees, and creditors in the federal bankruptcy court for the Western District of North Carolina. We also serve as the receiver in various state court receivership actions.
I began practicing law with Burt Shuford in July 1992. When a former partner left, whose practice was considerably different, we reorganized our practice and assumed our current name in April 2008. From July 1992 until March 2008 we were members of the law firm of Shuford, Hunter & Brown, P.A.
Previous Employment Summary
Associate in law firm of Cansler & Lockhart, P.A., Charlotte, NC from September 1986 to September 1987.
Law clerk to the Honorable George R. Hodges, a U.S. Bankruptcy Judge from 1987 to 1989.
Associate in law firm of David R. Badger & Associates, P.A., a bankruptcy boutique firm, from 1989 to 1992.
Activities and Awards
AV-rated by Martindale-Hubbell; Mecklenburg County Bar Lawyer Referral Service Lawyer of the Year in 2007; Member of the Executive Council of the Bankruptcy Section of the N.C. Bar Association from 1997 to 2000 and 2005 to 2008.
Certified Mediator for Superior Court cases in North Carolina since 1996; and Arbitrator for cases in Mecklenburg County District Court, since 1996.
I have arbitrated approximately 400 cases in Mecklenburg County District Court.
What is your opinion regarding clients educating themselves on legal issues?
Sometimes filing a bankruptcy is not in the client's best interest, and I feel that I need to be independent in the advice that I give. Self-education should not replace the advice of legal counsel.
Are you willing to review documents prepared by clients?
I am glad to review client-prepared documents. However, the bankruptcy judges in this district frown on attorneys "ghost writing" pleadings for clients, and consider it an ethics problem, although the North Carolina State Bar differs.
Are you willing to coach clients who want to represent themselves?
It depends upon the size and difficulty of the case.
Why did you decide to be a lawyer?
One of my mother's cousins was a Democratic congressman from South Carolina and was on the House Judiciary Committee when President Nixon was impeached. I was very impressed by him and by what he believed about the "rule of law," which inspired me to become an attorney.
I like the independence of being self-employed, as opposed to working for a bank or corporation. I like helping people, and I strongly believe in the "rule of law." I did well in English, political science and other related fields in college, which were good foundation tools for me on my path to becoming an attorney.
What work experience and education helps you be a better lawyer?
I had some prior law experience from when I worked part-time in law school. Another experience that improved me is being a small businessman. Having to make a payroll for my business currently allows me to identify with many of my clients.
Why did you decide on your primary area of practice?
Bankruptcy is fascinating. It's essentially trying to figure out how to divide up a pie that is already too small if you are a bankruptcy attorney for a trustee. When you are representing a debtor, you are helping that person obtain a fresh start for his or her life.
What do you like best about your career?
The best thing about my career is being independent, and not having to work for a corporation or bank. I also enjoy meeting with people and helping them with their problems.
Tell us about your law firm:
I have a law partner who is a bankruptcy trustee. We have a wonderful associate who served as the law clerk for a justice for the Louisiana Supreme Court before Hurricane Katrina, when she moved to North Carolina. We have several extremely good paralegals at this firm. I meet with all of my clients personally, and often will prepare bankruptcy petitions myself, if necessary.
What are your strengths and style?
I am a good listener, and I am good at restating and synthesizing problems as well as explaining practical solutions. I am a careful drafter and am detail oriented when I compose court papers.
Personal Interests:
I play piano and tennis. In the community, I am a graduate of Leadership Charlotte, Class XVI. I am the former president of the board of directors of A Child's Place of Charlotte, Inc., a non-profit corporation that operates programs for homeless children in conjunction with the local public school system. I have served as a Deacon and Elder in the First Presbyterian Church of Charlotte, and I have served on several committees of the Presbytery of Charlotte of the Presbyterian Church, USA. I am married to an attorney (at a different firm) and we have two teenage children who are a delight.
Office Manager/Assistant
Office Manager - Kat Elliott; Assistant - Sydney Kessell
Fax
(704) 377-8666
Office Hours
Monday through Friday
8:30 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.
Other hours by appointment.
Emergency After Hours
No
Foreign Languages
None.
Fixed-Price Services and Fees
In the Western District of North Carolina, the Bankruptcy Court mandates that we are supposed to charge a $3,250 fee for "base services" in a Chapter 13 bankruptcy. We usually require at least half of that up front, and put the rest in the plan. We also require filing fees, etc., be paid up front. Chapter 7 bankruptcy cases typically are flat fee cases, and the attorney's fee usually runs about $1,500 for a consumer, although that can be higher if the case is complicated. Also, the Chapter 7 client has to pay the court filing fee, etc.
Hourly Rates
$295 for hourly services.
Free Initial Consultation?
$150 for an hour long appointment. I am glad to meet with clients for a half-hour or an hour on a reduced fee basis. However, I am leery of "free initial consultations" because sometimes filing a bankruptcy is not in the client's best interest, and I feel that I need to be independent in the advice that I give, and that I not simply try to "sell" a bankruptcy filing. If I am thereafter retained to file a bankruptcy, I will credit the fee for that conference toward the retainer.
Typical Retainer
See Fixed-Price Services and Fees.
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