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John E. Branch III

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John Branch concentrates his practice in complex business, employment, and constitutional law.

Professional Biography


John is a complex problem solver and seasoned litigator who has successfully represented clients in a wide range of commercial litigation matters for almost 20 years. He frequently advocates for clients in cases involving contract and corporate ownership issues, real estate disputes, and claims of unfair competition or fraud. John regularly practices in federal and state courts throughout North Carolina, including the North Carolina Business Court. He has been admitted pro hac in a number of states in the South and the Midwest, and he handles binding arbitrations before the American Arbitration Association and other quasi-judicial bodies. In addition to his advocacy work, John serves as a trusted advisor for his clients, providing strategic, solution-oriented advice both before and after disputes arise.

John also maintains an active constitutional and political law practice. His clients have included multiple presidential, senatorial, and congressional campaigns; gubernatorial and other statewide candidates and campaigns; legislative, judicial, and local candidates; and national- and state-level political party committees. He has represented legislative officers in multiple states and defended state agencies' actions when challenged on constitutional or statutory grounds. John previously served as General Counsel for the North Carolina Republican Party and as both chairman and a member of the North Carolina State Board of Ethics and Election Enforcement.

John also counsels his clients on various employment and education law issues, including discrimination and wage and hour claims, as well as school choice and charter school issues.

After law school, John served as a law clerk for the Honorable Glen M. Williams, Senior U.S. District Judge for the Western District of Virginia. He has lived in Raleigh since completing his clerkship.

  • Represented a landowner in a ground lease dispute over valuation of property being leased.

  • Represented the original owners of a growing company against certain investors in a corporate and employment dispute regarding ownership and control of the company.

  • Defended a concrete manufacturer in a putative wage and hour class action.

  • Defended franchisee restaurants in a putative wage and hour class action.

  • Defended a maritime client in a personal injury claim arising out of a fishing operation.

  • Member – American Bar Association
  • Member – North Carolina Bar Association
    • Administration of Justice Committee
    • Constitutional Rights and Responsibilities Section Chair (2021 – 2022)
  • Member – Wake County Bar Association
  • Member – Triangle Chapter of the Federalist Society, President (2006 – 2011)
  • Chairman – North Carolina State Board of Ethics and Election Enforcement (2017 – 2018)
  • General Counsel – North Carolina Republican Party (2010 – 2012)
  • Commissioner – Raleigh Historic Districts Commission (2009 – 2010)
  • Member – Leadership Raleigh Class 28, Greater Raleigh Chamber of Commerce
  • Listed as a North Carolina "Labor and Employment Star" in Benchmark Litigation (2021 – 2022, 2024)
  • Listed in The Best Lawyers in America® for Business Organizations (including LLCs and Partnerships) (2023 – 2025); Closely Held Companies and Family Business Law (2022 – 2024); Commercial Litigation (2023 – 2025); Corporate Law (2024 – 2025); Employment Law - Individuals (2024  – 2025); Employment Law - Management (2023 – 2025); Litigation - Labor and Employment (2021 – 2025)
  • Selected for Business North Carolina magazine's Legal Elite in Litigation (2018, 2020, 2022, 2023) and Employment (2021)
  • Listed in North Carolina Super Lawyers (2015 – 2022)
  • Named among Top 100 North Carolina Super Lawyers (2020 – 2022) and Top 25 Raleigh Super Lawyers (2021 – 2022)
  • Selected as a North Carolina Rising Star (2010 – 2014)

Education

  • University of North Carolina School of Law, J.D., 2004
    • Symposium Editor – North Carolina Law Review
  • University of North Carolina, B.A., History, 2001

Admissions

  • North Carolina, 2004
  • U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit
  • U.S. Court of Appeals for the Eighth Circuit
  • U.S. District Court for the Eastern, Middle, and Western Districts of North Carolina

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