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headshot of lauren fussell, williams mullen senior associate

Lauren E. Fussell

Senior Associate
Raleigh, NC
  • T.
  • 919.981.4307
  • F.
  • 919.981.4300

Lauren Fussell is a litigation attorney focusing on helping clients navigate complex legal issues that are often a direct threat to their ongoing operations or, in some cases, their liberty. In both her civil and criminal work, Lauren seeks early and efficient resolutions where possible. Some matters can be resolved through conversations with the prosecutor, regulator, or opposing counsel. Oftentimes, these conversations can narrow issues and lead to successful negotiations. However, if an agreement can’t be reached, Lauren has significant civil and criminal trial experience to bring matters to a final outcome. No matter the type of case, the venue, the claims or the industry, Lauren knows that success begins with working closely with her clients to develop a thorough understanding of the client’s business and litigation goals. Both drive the litigation strategy from the start.

Lauren’s experience includes representing businesses and executives in all phases of complex civil litigation from fact investigation through trial. She has experience litigating claims related to contract enforcement, fraud, breach of fiduciary duties, unfair and deceptive trade practices, and intra-corporate disputes for clients across industries as diverse as telecommunications, healthcare, financial services and real estate. Following extensive pretrial motions, Lauren recently completed a multi-week trial seeking specific enforcement of a contract requiring hundreds of companies in various industries to be reorganized. 

Beyond her civil litigation experience, Lauren has worked with counsel from the Securities and Exchange Commission and the Department of Justice in response to federal grand jury and administrative investigations. Lauren also has substantial experience with pretrial litigation in federal criminal matters, along with trial experience—including, most recently, representation of her client in a trial on claims of mail fraud, money laundering, obstruction and theft of government property.

Lauren is listed among the Best Lawyers® – "Ones to Watch" (2021-present) and among the “Young Guns” list published by Business North Carolina in 2021. She also has been listed in North Carolina Super Lawyers "Rising Stars" (2021).

Prior to joining Williams Mullen, Lauren clerked for the Honorable J. Ronnie Greer of the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Tennessee.  Lauren earned her Juris Doctor degree, summa cum laude, from Campbell University, where she was the managing editor of the Campbell Law Review. She earned her Bachelor of Arts degree in history, with a minor in public policy, from the University of North Carolina.

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Related Practices & Industries
Education
  • Campbell University School of Law (J.D.)
    • summa cum laude
    • Managing Editor - Campbell Law Review
  • University of North Carolina (B.A.)
Professional & Community Affiliations

Professional Affiliations

  • National Association of Defense Attorneys – Member
  • North Carolina Bar Association – Member
  • Campbell Law Tournament of Champions Mock Trial Team – Former Coach
  • Campbell Law Advocacy Trial Program – Former Consultant
Bar & Court Admissions

Bar Admissions

  • North Carolina State Bar

Court Admissions

  • U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of North Carolina
  • U.S. District Court for the Middle District of North Carolina
  • U.S. District Court for the Western District of North Carolina
Honors

Best Lawyers® – "Ones to Watch" for Criminal Defense: White-Collar (2021-present)

Business North Carolina – “Legal Elite,” Young Guns (2021-present)

North Carolina Super Lawyers – "Rising Stars" Litigation (2021-present)

Experience

THE CASES MENTIONED BELOW ARE ILLUSTRATIVE OF THE MATTERS HANDLED BY MS. FUSSELL. CASE RESULTS DEPEND UPON A VARIETY OF FACTORS UNIQUE TO EACH CASE. NOT ALL CASE RESULTS ARE MENTIONED BELOW. PRIOR RESULTS DO NOT GUARANTEE A SIMILAR OUTCOME.

  • Represented small business owner in connection with charges of mail fraud, money laundering, theft of government property, and obstruction of a federal forfeiture proceeding. As a result of extensive pretrial litigation, theft of government property charge was dismissed prior to trial. Client was subsequently acquitted on all counts at trial.
  • Assisted clients in responding to federal grand jury and administrative investigations by the Securities and Exchange Commission and the Department of Justice.
  • Represented insurance company bringing claims of breach of contract, fraud, and related causes of action against former investment advisor. 
  • Represented physician and physician’s practice seeking to enforce settlement agreement against a hospital.
  • Represented investor in real estate development project generating historical tax credits against claims of breach of contract, unjust enrichment, breach of fiduciary duty, civil conspiracy, and piercing the corporate veil in North Carolina Business Court. The Court dismissed all claims upon client’s motion to dismiss.
  • Represented insurance companies in suing to enforce contract requiring reorganization of a number of regulated and unregulated companies. Issues involved in extensive pretrial litigation and trial included validity of the agreement, breach of the agreement, feasibility of implementation, and damages.
  • Represented telecommunications company in seeking monetary damages for breach of sales contract and fraud in federal court. The matter was resolved between the parties after the court allowed the client’s claims to proceed by denying a motion to dismiss.
  • Represented chemical distributor in a products liability matter related to the sufficiency of client’s product label.
  • Represented bank in responding to subpoenas for documents related to former customer’s bankruptcy proceeding.
  • Represented national distributing company in responding to subpoenas for business documents and negotiated confidentiality and protective order. 
  • Represented bank in lawsuit filed by the United States to enforce a tax lien against customer’s real property. Negotiated consent order establishing bank’s mortgage priority compared to tax lien.
  • Represented valve manufacturer against claims of negligence related to asbestos resulting in dismissal of all claims after discovery. 
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