Practice Areas
Business
Law
Attorneys with Crisp, Page & Currin,
L.L.P.,
offer small to medium size businesses legal assistance
in all aspects of their operations.
Other specific aspects of corporate law
include:
- contracts (drafting and negotiation)
- mergers and acquisitions
- director and officer liability
- commercial litigation
- lending
- commercial real estate
- antitrust
- issues affecting partnerships and limited
liability companies
- business structure, organization and control
- shareholder rights and obligations
- trademark registration
The firm has represented business clients
throughout the state and the nation.
Its attorneys teach at seminars and conferences
attended by other attorneys, and they are recognized
for their expertise.
Through its own staff or in association with
other attorneys, the firm is able to provide
full-service legal representation to business clients.
Non-Profit
Organizations
Crisp, Page & Currin,
L.L.P., has
represented and continues to represent a number of
non-profit organizations, including religious
organizations, charitable, and others.
The representation of non-profit organizations
is a natural extension of the law firm's mission
statement. Non-profit
organizations receive advice from Crisp, Page &
Currin, L.L.P., in the following areas (as well as
others):
- obtaining tax exemption and maintenance of
exempt status
- organizational structure and formation issues
- director and officer liability
- attendance at board meetings and drafting of
minutes
- bylaws and other organizational issues
- dissolution, merger or consolidation
Lawyers in the law firm understand the unique
issues that face non-profits on a day-to-day basis and
appreciate the special concerns that must be
considered by non-profit organizations in making
decisions.
In addition, Crisp, Page & Currin,
L.L.P.,
understands that the preservation of a non-profit
organization's tax exempt status is important.
The law firm makes every effort to provide
advice that not only benefits the organization, but
also protects the exemption.
Cooperative Law
William T.
Crisp, II (1924-1992), the firm's founding partner,
was instrumental in the organization and continued
operation of over 60 rural electric cooperative
associations in North Carolina and across the nation.
Prior to his death in 1992, Mr. Crisp was recognized
as the nation's most experienced and knowledgeable
attorney in the field of REA (now Rural Utilities
Services) cooperatives. The spirit of Bill Crisp
lives on at the firm and in the attorneys at the firm.
The firm continues to represent numerous cooperatives
in North Carolina as general counsel and represents
several cooperatives in North Carolina and other states
as special counsel. The firm regularly handles
cases for cooperative clients involving (but not
limited to):
- affirmative action plans
- territorial
disputes
- easements, real estate and condemnation
- electro-magnetic field litigation
- general corporate and bylaw matters
- hostile takeovers
- personal injury, wrongful death and property damage
- wrongful disconnection of electric service
- electric meter tampering
- service policy issues
- environmental matters
- O.S.H.A. regulations
- mergers and consolidations
Because of
its expertise in handling matters for rural electric
distribution cooperatives, the firm stands in a unique
position to analyze client problems and advise clients
on matters before the trial and appellate courts, as
well as administrative and regulatory agencies.
The firm has well-established relationships with RUS,
CFC, NRECA, NCEMC, and NCREA.
The firm's
attorneys regularly attend board and committee
meetings of the cooperatives that it serves as general
or special counsel. The attorneys prepare and
present seminars on important issues facing utility
clients and edit national newsletters for rural
electric cooperatives.
Utility Law
Crisp,
Page & Currin, L.L.P., is well versed in the laws and
regulations dealing with public utilities.
Attorneys at the firm have made numerous appearances
before the Public Service Commissions in North
Carolina and other states, the FERC and the FCC.
The firm regularly handles cases for utilities and/or
consumer groups in the following areas of utility
practice:
- electric certification, rates and complaint
proceedings
- long distance telecommunications
- certificate and
rate matters
- natural gas extension, rates and service policies
- regulated water and sewer systems
- cellular telecommunications
- competitive local service (dial tone)
- cable television
Electricity,
telephone and other utility services have become
necessities to modern residential and commercial life.
The firm's attorneys have years of experience in
crafting solutions to complex utility matters which
cut through the "red tape" and serve the interests of
utility and consumer alike.
Civil
Litigation
The litigation practice includes virtually all
phases of civil and commercial litigation in all state
and federal courts, as well as administrative practice
before the various agencies of state and federal
government. Much
of the firm's litigation practice involves utilities
litigation or employment litigation.
However, the firm's litigation practice extends
to:
- tax and administrative matters
- insurance defense, either representing
carriers or their insureds
- commercial and contract disputes
- social security disability cases
- mediation, arbitration and alternative
dispute resolution
- real estate disputes
- personal and property damage claims
Attorneys at the firm conduct all phases of
litigation, from fact gathering and settlement
negotiations to trial and appeal, including both state
and federal appeals.
Whether a case results in an early settlement
or a lengthy court battle, planning is the key to
minimizing litigation costs and maximizing benefits.
The firm's litigation strategy is determined on
a case by case basis according to the facts, legal
issues and needs of its clients.
The firm's attorneys are admitted to practice
before the state and federal trial and appellate
courts affecting North Carolina clients, including the
United States Supreme Court and the Fourth Circuit,
Federal Court of Appeals.
Employment
Law
Crisp, Page & Currin,
L.L.P., offers
business and professional clients experience in
matters relating to employment law.
Employment law includes such issues as:
- affirmative action plans
- employment discrimination
- equal employment opportunity
- sexual harassment
- employment at will
- employee v. independent contractor
- drug and alcohol abuse
- pregnancy discrimination
- parental leave
- employment handbooks
No area of the law is more challenging for
businesses today.
From the smallest business to the largest
corporation, personnel is one of the largest items of
cost and concern.
The changing nature of the work force has a
tremendous impact.
At the same time, state and federal laws
governing employers are evolving rapidly and growing
more complex.
Discrimination complaints are increasing.
North Carolina has seen multi-million dollar
judgments against businesses as a result of sexual
harassment suits.
Progressive businesses recognize the need for
policies and procedures that not only avoid
difficulties but also foster positive and productive
relationships between employers and employees.
Crisp, Page & Currin,
L.L.P., seeks to
equip employers with the knowledge and understanding
of these matters that will establish a sound
foundation for business success.
Currin Energy Page®
Cynthia M. Currin is the Editor of Currin Energy
Page®. Currin Energy Page® is a cutting edge monthly
legal publication summarizing the most recent case law
and regulations relating to the electric industry.
Cases and regulations are carefully selected and
edited by an attorney with over 24 years of experience
in the rural electric field.