Gib Laite is a partner in the firm's Litigation Section. He concentrates his practice in the general areas of construction, real estate, securities representatives, commercial collections, business and loan workouts, lender liability and railroads. In practice for over 20 years, Mr. Laite has handled a wide variety of matters including: contracts involving construction, sale of business, sale of goods, sale of real estate, securities representatives and letters of intent; landlord and tenant disputes involving lease defaults, collection of rents, fixtures, and non-compete or other restrictive use clauses; title and boundary disputes including the related issues of roadway rights, easements, water rights, developer turnover and restrictions on use; loan defaults, work-outs, collections and lender liability; business workouts and wind-downs; construction contracts, delays, payment defaults, defects, liens and bonds; condemnations/eminent domain; railroad right of way matters; real estate escrow disputes; real estate broker, real estate appraiser and general contractor licensing board complaints and compliance; and partnership matters. Mr. Laite's practice includes the drafting and litigation of construction contracts, leases and other business documents, and includes both consultation and dispute resolution.

Education
Wake Forest University, J.D., cum laude
University of Southern Maine, B.S.

Professional Affiliations
American Bar Association
Maine State Bar
North Carolina Bar Association
North Carolina State Bar

Awards and Honors
Listed in The Best Lawyers in Amercia
Listed in Business North Carolina magazine "Legal Elite" - Construction Law

Publications

• "Lien Law Update," Construction Law Update, March 2006
• "Amendments to North Carolina's Mechanic's Lien Statute," Construction Law Update, February 2006
• "Kelo v. City of New London," Real Estate Litigation Update, February 2006
• Author, Railroad Issues Affecting Real Property Practitioners, 2000
• Author, Construction Lien Law in North Carolina, 1994 and 1996
• Co-author, Real Estate Litigation in North Carolina, 1990

Representations
Mr. Laite has been involved with the following significant cases resulting in favorable Appellate Decisions:

• Anheuser-Busch v. Wayne Dench, Inc. (UP: M.D. Fla. and 11th Cir.) (defend claim that multi-million dollar letter of intent was binding contract; affirmed summary judgment for client);
• Caswell Realty I v. Andrews Foods (N.C. App.) (suit to set aside lease settlement; affirmed summary judgment for client);
• Caswell Realty II v. Andrews Foods (N.C. App.) (suit for breach of lease against purchaser of tenants assets; affirmed summary judgment for client);
• Department of Transportation v. Overton, (N.C. App. & S. Ct.) (eminent domain case; established rule that safety a factor in decision to condemn; reversed adverse trial verdict against client resulting in settlement);
• Hog Slat, Inc. v. BobCat Farms et al (UP) (N.C. App.) upheld validity of "as is" clause in commercial construction contract; affirmed summary judgment for client);
• Love v. U.S.A. (UP: E.D.N.C.) (quiet title action; established rule that railroad can acquire title by adverse possession; affirmed summary judgment for client);
• McLaurin v. Winston-Salem Southbound (N.C.S.Ct.) (quiet title action; established rule that cannot adversely possess against a railroad; affirmed judgment for client);
• North Carolina Railroad v. City of Charlotte (N.C. App.) (suit to establish easement over abandoned railroad line: held ICC did not preempt state law contract and title issues; affirmed denial of summary judgment for client resulting in settlement).

Community Involvement
Greater Raleigh Chamber of Commerce
- Board of Directors Executive Committee
- Board of Advisors
- Competitive EDGE Program
- General Counsel, Former