Michael Crook represents governmental, business, and professional clients in all phases of state and federal litigation, from pre-dispute resolution through appeal.
Michael has a particular focus on eminent domain and real estate litigation and has been recognized by The Best Lawyers in America® for his work in those fields.
In his eminent domain work, Michael regularly represents municipalities, government agencies, transportation authorities, utilities, and other condemnors in a variety of settings, ranging from small takings to large, high-profile projects. Through his work, Michael has facilitated the expansion of public transportation, upgraded and expanded utility systems, promoted the development of public projects, and broadened the availability of domestic energy sources. Michael also represents commercial landowners in condemnation proceedings brought by the North Carolina Department of Transportation. Outside of the context of eminent domain, Michael advises developers in land use disputes and represents landlords and tenants in commercial lease disputes. Additionally, Michael is panel counsel for one of the country’s largest title insurance companies and prosecutes title curative actions across North Carolina on behalf of its insureds.
Michael also defends automotive dealerships against consumer claims in arbitration and in court. He has extensive experience with claims relating to negligence, breach of contract, collection matters, and other business disputes. His clients include dealerships with a nationwide presence, regional dealerships, and one-store dealerships. He is active in the National Association of Dealer Counsel and is a member of the North Carolina Automotive Dealers Association.
Michael chairs the firm’s Pro Bono Committee, coordinating pro bono initiatives across all eight of the firm’s offices for the firm’s nearly 300 lawyers. Under Michael’s leadership, the North Carolina Bar Association honored Parker Poe with the Outstanding Collaborative/Group Pro Bono Service Award and the Law Firm Pro Bono Award. The first award recognized Parker Poe’s partnership with Pisgah Legal Services to represent Afghan evacuees in applying for asylum in western North Carolina after the Taliban took control of Afghanistan. The second recognized the firm’s work in representing the interests of abused and neglected children, advising on the development of affordable housing for senior citizens, protecting the intellectual property rights of nonprofits, and providing legal assistance to refugees seeking asylum from Afghanistan, Ukraine, and other countries. Michael is personally involved with numerous legal services organizations including Pisgah Legal Services and the Heir Property Pro Bono Project through Legal Aid of North Carolina.
When not practicing law, Michael enjoys traveling, going to the beach, and cheering on the Tar Heels.