William P. H. "Bill" Cary

Bill Cary works with a variety of public and private entities in the emerging area of Climate Resilience planning and strategies. His extensive litigation experience includes commercial and environmental disputes.

Bill helps the Firm’s clients address the risks and opportunities that climate change and extreme weather bring. His recent work with U. S. Department of Defense and several NGOs working together to identify ways to strengthen the resilience of coastal DoD facilities has led to projects being submitted to the Readiness and Environmental Protection Integration Program (REPI). He is also actively engaged with the Southeast Regional Partnership for Planning and Sustainability, which brings together state and federal agencies from six southeastern states to focus on environmental sustainability initiatives that promote conservation as part of assuring military readiness and is now focusing on coastal resilience issues. He is working with several NGOs to develop and implement specific recommendations as part of the NC Climate Risk Assessment and Resilience Plan. This is an emerging area, and Bill helps clients learn about the state and federal resources potentially available and assists in formulating appropriate strategies to plan for the impacts these changes will have on our clients’ businesses and communities.

Having previously served as general counsel of the North Carolina Department of Environment and Natural Resources, Bill has a comprehensive understanding of the agency’s methods, practices, procedures and personnel. He has extensive experience in compliance planning and litigation, especially CWA issues and emerging coastal management practices. He was part of the team that developed the NC Oyster Mariculture Plan, which resulted in legislation promoting development of this industry with broad bipartisan support.

Bill is experienced in a wide variety of litigation and arbitration areas, including construction, environmental, real property, and contract disputes.

Bill is also a graduate of the state mediator program and has extensive experience in using non-traditional techniques to solve complex problems, including conducting hundreds of private mediations.