Criminal Defense: General Practice Criminal Defense: White-Collar
*Named the "Lawyer of the Year" in this practice area in the 2026 edition in Charlotte.
Christopher C. "Chris" Fialko
Recognized in Best Lawyers since 2008 Awarded Practice Areas
Biography
For almost 30 years, I’ve been fighting to defend individuals accused of crimes in the State and Federal courts of North Carolina. I love the job.
For example, at the moment I am defending clients in investigations involving diverse subjects such as businesses being charged with PPP loan fraud, doctors and nurses with billing, coding and medical necessity issues, executives and managers accused of kickback schemes and wire fraud. In the process of defending these clients, I find it fascinating to learn in detail about different types of businesses, how they work and how they are regulated.
Most of my cases are in the Federal court in the Western District of North Carolina, but I also work in the Federal Middle and Eastern Districts. Over the years I have worked on State court cases in more than 30 counties in North Carolina, in addition to my home base of Charlotte in Mecklenburg County.
Nowadays, I limit the number of cases I take in order to be able to spend more time on each. I have found that learning the facts and details in depth, and meeting often with each client helps in formulating pre-trial motions, discovery motions and defense strategies.
Overview
- The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, J.D., graduated 1992
- Stanford University, AB, graduated 1988
- North Carolina, Board Certified Specialist in State and Federal Criminal Defense
- North Carolina, North Carolina Bar Association
- Board of Governors of the North Carolina Advocates for Justice - Board Member
- National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers - Member, White Collar Committee
- North Carolina Advocates for Justice - Chair, Criminal Section, 2010-2011
- North Carolina Sentencing and Policy Advisory Commission - Appointed 2011 and 2013
- North Carolina, Board Certified Specialist in State and Federal Criminal Defense
- North Carolina, North Carolina Bar Association
- Board of Governors of the North Carolina Advocates for Justice - Board Member
- National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers - Member, White Collar Committee
- North Carolina Advocates for Justice - Chair, Criminal Section, 2010-2011
- North Carolina Sentencing and Policy Advisory Commission - Appointed 2011 and 2013
- The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, J.D., graduated 1992
- Stanford University, AB, graduated 1988
Client Testimonials
Awards & Focus
Named "Lawyer of the Year" by Best Lawyers® for:
- Criminal Defense: General Practice, Charlotte (2026)
- Criminal Defense: White-Collar, Charlotte (2025)
- Criminal Defense: General Practice, Charlotte (2024)
- Criminal Defense: General Practice, Charlotte (2022)
- Criminal Defense: White-Collar, Charlotte (2021)
- Criminal Defense: General Practice, Charlotte (2016)
Recognized in The Best Lawyers in America® 2026 for work in:
- Criminal Defense: General Practice
- Criminal Defense: White-Collar
Special Focus:
- State and Federal
Awards:
- Best Lawyers® 2022 Criminal Defense: General Practice “Lawyer of the Year” in Charlotte
- Martindale Hubbell® 2022 Highest Possible Rating in Both Legal Ability & Ethical Standards
- Fialko Law, PLLC received a Metro Tier One ranking in the 2021 Edition of U.S. News – Best Lawyers® “Best Law Firms” in Criminal Defense: General Practice and White-Collar in Charlotte.
News & Media
Additional Information
Case History
Cases
- United States v. Kareem Puranda
Chris Fialko represented Mr. Puranda, a Salisbury Police Officer charged criminally in federal court in the Middle District of North Carolina with two counts of using excessive force. Fialko drafted and filed a pretrial motion arguing that the legal definition of excessive force was unconstitutionally vague as applied to these two situations, in which Puranda was in the act of arresting individuals who had fled on foot from traffic stops. Although the motion was denied, the trial judge gave an excellent jury instruction concerning excessive force. The jury acquitted Puranda of both counts.
- Innocence Exoneration of Robert Wilcoxson
In September 2011, Chris Fialko represented Robert Wilcoxson in a two-week hearing in Asheville, in front of a three-judge panel of Superior Court Judges appointed by the North Carolina Innocence Inquiry Commission. Fialko presented more than 15 witnesses and 60 exhibits proving that Wilcoxson was in fact innocent of a murder he had been convicted of in 2000. After serving 11 years for a crime he did not commit, Wilcoxson was found innocent, and Fialko walked with him out of the Buncombe County Jail on September 22, 2011.
- State Bar v. Gregory R.
In 2012, Chris Fialko represented Gregory R., a lawyer charged by the North Carolina State Bar with mortgage fraud. Fialko defended Gregory in a three-day hearing in front of a three judge disciplinary panel in Raleigh, and the charges were dismissed.
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