When Barnwell Whaley decided to open an office in North Carolina, the first order of business was to find a lawyer to spearhead the new operation. The desired leader would be someone with a broad range of experience in a number of practice areas; a proven track record of success both in and out of the courtroom; and, preferably, admitted to practice in both North and South Carolina. Most importantly, though, this leader would be willing and eager to accept the challenge of opening a new office in a new state while continuing the Barnwell Whaley tradition of providing excellent legal services to its clients. Chris Hinnant fit the bill, and then some.
A native of Eastern North Carolina, Chris Hinnant has spent the better part of two decades handling a broad array of civil litigation. Licensed in both North and South Carolina, Chris has handled hundreds of cases in both state and federal courts, from medical malpractice to construction defects, premises liability to dram shop claims, commercial disputes to personal injury. Even before becoming licensed in South Carolina, Chris had tried cases to jury verdict in both North Carolina and Virginia.
In the medical malpractice arena, Chris has defended heart surgeons, obstetricians, emergency medicine doctors, orthopedists, surgeons, pharmacists, nurses and hospitals.
As a commercial litigator, Chris has handled many types of cases involving corporations and businesses, from minor contract disputes to one of the largest real estate fraud cases in North Carolina history (his banking client was dismissed on a 12(b)(6) motion). Chris helped one UK-based client decipher an embezzlement scheme, ultimately bringing fraud and civil RICO claims against the former employee for almost a million dollars in misappropriated funds. Best Lawyers in America recognizes Chris for his insurance litigation and personal injury litigation – defense work in the Wilmington, NC area. North Carolina Super Lawyers lists Hinnant as a Top Rated Civil Litigation Attorney. Chris has also been selected as a Fellow of the Litigation Counsel of America. Fellowship in the LCA is highly selective and by invitation only. Fellows are selected based upon excellence and accomplishment in litigation, both at the trial and appellate levels, and superior ethical reputation.
A graduate of the University of North Carolina – Chapel Hill, Chris earned his juris doctor at the Campbell University Norman Adrian Wiggins School of Law. While in law school, Chris was a member of Campbell’s prestigious competition trial teams and competed against other schools in competitions sponsored by various trial advocacy groups. He earned several book awards for top academic performance in his class, and upon graduation was selected for membership in the Order of Barristers.
When not in the office, Chris divides his personal time between his family and his passion for the outdoors. During the summer months you may find him with his wife and two children on some type of boat or board, enjoying the coastal waters of the Carolinas. During the fall and winter, Chris enjoys hiking the North Carolina mountains, hunting throughout the Carolinas and Georgia and cheering on the Tar Heels with his family.
Professional memberships
North Carolina Association of Defense Attorneys
South Carolina Defense Trial Attorneys Association
Defense Research Institute
Claims and Litigation Management Alliance
New Hanover County Bar Association
North Carolina Bar Association
North Carolina Restaurant and Lodging Association
Education
Bachelor of Arts
University of North Carolina
Juris Doctorate
Campbell University
Norman Adrian Wiggins School of Law
Court admissions
All North Carolina courts
All South Carolina courts
U.S. District Court for the District of South Carolina
Eastern, Middle and Western District Federal Courts of North Carolina
