Banking and Finance Law Bankruptcy and Creditor Debtor Rights / Insolvency and Reorganization Law Litigation - Bankruptcy
Paul A Fanning
Awarded Practice Areas
Biography
Paul leads the Creditors' Rights Practice Group and is certified by the American Board of Certification and the North Carolina State Bar as a Board Certified Specialist in Business and Consumer Bankruptcy Law. His practice experience encompasses bankruptcy, collections, creditors' rights, and lender liability. He concentrates his practice in the representation of creditors in complex bankruptcy cases and state court collection litigation, including workouts, reorganizations, and contested matters. Paul has represented lenders, trade creditors, farm equipment manufacturers, community associations, contractors and telecommunications companies in various reorganization proceedings, including commercial real estate, manufacturing, and wholesale and retail transactions. He is experienced in state court foreclosures and receiverships and other aspects of creditor-debtor litigation, including appellate advocacy. He has been rated by his peers as being "preeminent" in his fields of law.
Overview
Greenville, North Carolina
- Wake Forest University, J.D., graduated 1998
- The University of North Carolina at Asheville, BA, graduated 1993
- North Carolina, 1998
- * Please see the following websites for an explanation of the membership standards for the following recognitions: - www.bestlawyers.com; businessnc.com/special-sections/legal-elite/; and www.superlawyers.com/north-carolina.
- American Board of Certification - Sections: Business Bankruptcy; Consumer Bankruptcy
- Boys & Girls Club of Pitt County - president 2008; board member 2005-2011
- Cal Ripken, Sr. Foundation - Board of Trustees 2011-2012
- Community Associations Institute - Member
- Eastern North Carolina Inn of Court - Member
- Greenville-Pitt County Chamber of Commerce - board of directors 2007-2009
- Kiwanis Club of University City - vice president 2003-2004; board member 2001-2004
- North Carolina Alliance of Boys & Girls Clubs - president 2014; secretary/treasurer 2011; board of directors 2007-present
- North Carolina Bar Association - Section: Bankruptcy (council member 2005-2007)
- North Carolina Creditors Bar Association - Member
- United States Bankruptcy Court for the Eastern, Middle, and Western Districts of North Carolina
- United States Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit
- United States District Court for the Eastern, Middle, and Western Districts of North Carolina
- Supreme Court
- All state courts in North Carolina
Greenville, North Carolina
- North Carolina, 1998
- * Please see the following websites for an explanation of the membership standards for the following recognitions: - www.bestlawyers.com; businessnc.com/special-sections/legal-elite/; and www.superlawyers.com/north-carolina.
- American Board of Certification - Sections: Business Bankruptcy; Consumer Bankruptcy
- Boys & Girls Club of Pitt County - president 2008; board member 2005-2011
- Cal Ripken, Sr. Foundation - Board of Trustees 2011-2012
- Community Associations Institute - Member
- Eastern North Carolina Inn of Court - Member
- Greenville-Pitt County Chamber of Commerce - board of directors 2007-2009
- Kiwanis Club of University City - vice president 2003-2004; board member 2001-2004
- North Carolina Alliance of Boys & Girls Clubs - president 2014; secretary/treasurer 2011; board of directors 2007-present
- North Carolina Bar Association - Section: Bankruptcy (council member 2005-2007)
- North Carolina Creditors Bar Association - Member
- Wake Forest University, J.D., graduated 1998
- The University of North Carolina at Asheville, BA, graduated 1993
- United States Bankruptcy Court for the Eastern, Middle, and Western Districts of North Carolina
- United States Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit
- United States District Court for the Eastern, Middle, and Western Districts of North Carolina
- Supreme Court
- All state courts in North Carolina
Client Testimonials
Awards & Focus

Named "Lawyer of the Year" by Best Lawyers® for:
- Litigation - Bankruptcy, Raleigh (2021)
Recognized in The Best Lawyers in America® 2026 for work in:
- Banking and Finance Law
- Bankruptcy and Creditor Debtor Rights / Insolvency and Reorganization Law
- Litigation - Bankruptcy
Special Focus:
- Bankruptcy and Workouts
- Collections
- COVID-19
- Financial Institutions
Awards:
- "Lawyer of the Year," Best Lawyers in America
- NC Attorney Pro Bono Honor Society Inductee, NC Pro Bono Resource Center, 2021, 2020
- "Top 100 Super Lawyers," Creditor Debtor Rights, North Carolina Super Lawyers, 2022-2024
- "Super Lawyer," Creditor Debtor Rights, North Carolina Super Lawyers, 2009-2024
- Chambers USA, Bankruptcy/Restructuring – North Carolina, 2019-2023
"Legal Elite," Business North Carolina, Bankruptcy, 2006-2008, 2010-2020, 2022-2024
- Chambers USA 2019, Bankruptcy/Restructuring - North Carolina
- The Best Lawyers in America, 2011-2019
"Legal Elite," Business North Carolina, 2006-2008, 2010-2019
- "Super Lawyer," North Carolina Super Lawyers, 2009-2019
News & Media
Case History
Transactions
- Representation of clients in defending complex preference
Representation of clients in defending complex preference and fraudulent transfer claims
- Representation of defrauded creditor
Representation of defrauded creditor preventing debtors from obtaining bankruptcy discharge
- Representation of international air filter manufacturer in state business court litigation
Representation of international air filter manufacturer in state business court litigation against secured lender reducing exposure by $20 million
- Representation of primary secured creditor in regional cigarette manufacturer bankruptcy
Representation of primary secured creditor in regional cigarette manufacturer bankruptcy including regulatory hurdles, cash collateral, asset sales and contested plan confirmation issues resulting in full recovery
- Representation of lender through successful restructure and collateralization of $20 million loan
Representation of lender through successful restructure and collateralization of $20 million loan through bankruptcy plan confirmation of brick manufacturer
- Representation of lead participant secured lender owed $15 million
Representation of lead participant secured lender owed $15 million in contested foreclosure and sale of subdivision property containing three golf courses through bankruptcy
- Representation of international farm equipment manufacturer
Representation of international farm equipment manufacturer in complex multistate franchisee bankruptcy case resulting in full recovery
- Representation of secured lender
Representation of secured lender through appointment of state court receiver for, and foreclosure against, hotel properties
Your browser is not fully compatible with our automatic printer friendly formatting.
Please use the print button to print this profile page.