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Overview

Joe Hammond’s favorite part of his job is preventing and solving problems for his clients. He represents a diverse range of clients in court, and also advises them about risk mitigation, contract negotiation, claim management, and alternatives to litigation (thus providing either the proverbial ounce of prevention, the pound of cure, or both). 

In addition to his commercial and general litigation work, Joe maintains an active construction practice, advising owners, contractors, and architects about contracts and risk, negotiating contracts on their behalf, and handling claims as they arise. 

A native of Winston-Salem, Joe obtained his undergraduate degree from the University of Virginia, where he was an Echols Scholar, and his law degree from New York University School of Law, where he was a Robert McKay Scholar. Joe began his career as an associate in the New York City office of Quinn Emanuel Urquhart & Sullivan, LLP, and practiced there for six years. He returned home to North Carolina and joined Ellis & Winters LLP in 2012. He is an experienced litigator, counselor, and construction lawyer.  His clients include businesses, conglomerates, contractors, architects, and churches. 

In his free time, Joe enjoys spending time with his wife and five children, serving his church, and coaching middle school soccer and wrestling teams.

Legal Assistant

Debbie Haslam

Direct: 336-389-5696

E-mail: Debbie.haslam@elliswinters.com

Credentials

Education

  • J.D., New York University School of Law, 2006
    • Honors: Robert McKay Scholar
    • Journal of Law and Liberty, 2005-2006
  • B.A., University of Virginia, 2001
    • Honors: Echols Scholar

Bar Admissions

  • North Carolina
  • New York
  • Texas

Court Admissions

  • Eastern District of North Carolina
  • Middle District of North Carolina
  • Western District of North Carolina
  • Southern District of New York
  • Eastern District of New York

Professional Associations and Memberships

  • DRI
  • Legatus, Charlotte Chapter, Vice President
  • School Leadership Council, Our Lady of Grace School, 2021-2022
  • Parish Leadership Team, Our Lady of Grace Catholic Church, 2023-2025

Experience

Commercial and general litigation experience

  • Represent business owners in corporate control and business divorce disputes.
  • Represent businesses in contract, fraud, and unfair trade practices disputes.
  • Prosecute and defend departing employee and trade secret claims.
  • Defend businesses against class actions alleging tort, fraud, and consumer law violations.
  • Defend debt buyers against class claims asserting violations of North Carolina’s debt buyer law.
  • Defend churches and businesses against sex abuse and other tort claims.  
  • Counsel clients about risk mitigation and avoidance.

Construction-specific experience

  • Represent all sectors of construction industry–from developers and owners to general contractors and subcontractors to architects, material suppliers and manufacturers—in both commercial and residential projects, contract negotiation, and litigation.
  • Review and negotiate both standard form contracts (AIA, ConsensusDocs, EJCDC, etc.) and custom construction contracts for owners, contractors, and architects for projects spanning from residential buildings to projects costing hundreds of millions of dollars.
  • Litigate all manner of construction cases, from breach of contract claims to negligent construction and product defect claims.
  • Provide project-level advice to guide clients through troubled projects and avoid or employ litigation strategically to solve or mitigate problems.
  • Represent clients in both pursuing and defending lien and bond claims.
  • Defend contractor and manufacturer clients against citations and investigations by the N.C. Department of Labor.
  • Represent clients in appeals of determinations of disadvantaged-business-enterprise status.

Presentations/Publications

Updates

News Posts

All News from Joseph D. Hammond

Best in Class Posts

All Blog Posts from Joseph D. Hammond