Upon graduating from law school, George was an
associate, and later partner, with the law firm of Cheshire, Parker, Hughes and
Manning for five years. During that time, his practice was focused exclusively
on Federal and State criminal defense, post-conviction and appeals. In 1992,
George started his own law firm and for many years shared office space with the
late H. Spencer Barrow, Thomas C. Worth, Jr., J. Roger Edwards, Jr. and Isabel
W. Mattox. In the 1990’s, George’s practice expanded to include extensive
representation in both civil and criminal appellate matters before the N.C.
Court of Appeals, the Supreme Court of North Carolina and the Fourth Circuit
Court of Appeals as well as numerous post-conviction cases. George’s practice
also expanded to include civil litigation, including business litigation and
land use litigation. George has represented clients in over 60 counties in
North Carolina, in all the Federal Districts of North Carolina, and the Fourth
Circuit Court of Appeals. He has also represented clients in several other
states. Having practiced law since 1987, George maintains an extensive practice
in the areas of appellate advocacy, criminal trial defense, civil litigation,
business litigation, post-conviction representation, land use and zoning
litigation in court and drug tax and forfeiture matters.
Some of George
Currin’s Notable Appellate Cases
Barnes v. Thomas, 938 F. 3d 526 (4th Cir.
2019) (Obtained reversal of federal district courts denial of habeas relief in
capital case along with co-counsel, Gordon Widenhouse)
Long v. Currituck County, ___ N.C. App. ___,
COA 15-376 (2016) (obtained reversal of trial court’s order affirming Board of
Adjustment’s interpretation of ordinance definition of single family dwelling)
Putterboy 7, LLC v. Village of Pinehurst, ___
N.C. App. ___, COA 15-757 (2016) (successfully defended Pinehurst Historic
Preservation Commission’s denial of certificate of appropriateness at Board of
Adjustment and in Superior Court and obtained dismissal of Appellant’s appeal in
Court of Appeals)
Byrd v. Franklin County, 368 N.C. 409, 778
S.E.2d 268 (2015) (obtained reversal of Court of Appeals’ decision allowing
local governments to implicitly prohibit unlisted land uses without expressly
prohibiting particular uses)
Barnes v. Joyner, 751 F.3d 229 (4th Cir. 2014)
(obtained reversal of federal district court’s denial of writ of habeas corpus
in capital post-conviction case, along with co-counsel Gordon Widenhouse)
State v. Derbyshire, ___N.C.App. ____, 745
S.E.2d 886 (2013) (obtained reversal of trial court’s denial of motion to
suppress based on lack of reasonable suspicion in DWI case)
State v. Whittington, ___N.C.App. _____, 728
S.E.2d 385 (2012) (obtained reversal of conviction in trafficking in opium case
due to defective indictment)
Fort v. County of Cumberland, ___N.C.App.
_____, 721 S.E.2d 350 (2012) (along with co-counsel, Robin Currin, obtained
reversal of trial court ruling on county ordinance interpretation)
Mills v. Funkhouser, ___N.C.App. _____, 2012
WL 1117885, 723 S.E.2d 173 (2012) (obtained reversal of trial court’s ruling in
50-C restraining order case)
Allison v. Davidson, ___N.C.App. _____, 720
S.E.2d 29 (2011) (obtained reversal of jury verdict awarding $541,000 in
damages for breach of contract, with co-counsel, Robin Currin)
Steinkrause v. Tatum, 364 N.C. 419, 700 S.E.2d
222 (2010) (DMV revocation hearing matter)
White v. McDade, Case No. 5:02-HC-382-F (EDNC
2010) (on Federal habeas corpus review from state conviction and sentence of
life imprisonment, obtained federal court order vacating and setting aside
conviction and sentence)
State v. Derbyshire, ___N.C.App. _____, 701
S.E.2d 404 (2010) (obtained reversal of conviction and remand based on trial
court’s failure to make findings of fact in motion to suppress)
State v. Bailey, 197 N.C.App. 402, ___ S.E.2d
___ (2009) (obtained new sentencing hearing and reduced sentence based on trial
court’s incorrect calculation of defendant’s prior record level in murder case)
State v. Canady, 191 N.C.App. 680, 664 S.E.2d
380 (2008) (case of first impression involving interpretation of discharging
firearm into occupied dwelling statute)
State v. Johnson, 183 N.C.App. 576, 646 S.E.2d
123 (2007) (obtained reversal of conviction and new trial in violent habitual
felon case based on error in jury instruction)
U.S. v. Wilder, Jr., 153 Fed.Appx. 140 (4th
Cir. 2005) (obtained new sentencing hearing based on sentencing guidelines and
Booker)
Lineburger v. NC DOC, Wake County, NC # 05 CVS
16414 (obtained declaratory judgment in Superior Court ordering Department of
Correction to change the way it calculated the inmate’s parole eligibility).
Upheld on appeal, 362 N.C. 675 (2008), 669 S.E.2d 320.
Century 21 Heritage, Inc. v. Leach, 156
N.C.App 697, 578 S.E.2d 1 (2003) (successfully defended property owner in
summary judgment in appeal involving real estate broker’s commission)
State v. Pezzuto, 157 N.C.App. 575, 579 S.E.2d
520 (2003) (obtained reversal of conviction and new trial in D.W.I. case
involving police officer’s false testimony)
Allstate Ins. Co. v. Lahoud, 167 N.C.App. 205,
605 S.E.2d 180 (2004) (appeal of declaratory judgment action involving
interpretation of insurance policy)
Teasley v. Beck, 155 N.C.App. 282, 574 S.E.2d
137 (2002) (landmark case involving credit to gain time to inmates serving
Class C life sentences)
TGC Development, Inc. v. Aegean Land Co., 151
N.C.App. 602, 2002 WL 1543731 (N.C.App.) (2002) (successfully defended appeal
involving issue of unlicensed general contractor vs. unlicensed subcontractor)
Society for Preservation of Historic Oakwood
v. Board of Adjustment of the City of Raleigh, 153 N.C.App. 737, 571 S.E.2d 588
(2002) (lead trial and appellate counsel, obtained reversal of trial court’s
ruling on jurisdictional issue involving Board of Adjustment)
El-Haddad v. Jerry Smith Builders, 143
N.C.App. 568, 547 S.E.2d 861 (2001) (successfully defended on appeal summary
judgment in case involving claims of negligent misrepresentation and unfair and
deceptive trade practices)
In re Adoption of Byrd, 137 N.C.App.623, 529
S.E.2d 465 affirmed by 354 N.C. 188, 552 S.E.2d 142 (2001) (landmark case, with
co-counsel, H. Spencer Barrow, involving unmarried biological father’s rights
in adoption case)
Lagies v. Myers, 142 N.C.App. 239, 542 S.E.2d
336 (2001) (appeal involving time and method of exercising option agreements)
Ricks v. White Construction, 137 N.C.App. 587,
533 S.E.2d 570 (2000) (successfully obtained at trial court and defended on
appeal, entry of judgment in case involving interpretation of restrictive
covenant)
Vick v. Williams, 233 F.3d 213 (4th Cir. 2000)
(landmark case involving N.C. Drug Tax and Federal habeas corpus review)
K & S Enterprises v. Kennedy Office Supply
Co., Inc., 135 N.C.App. 260, 520 S.E.2d 122 (1999) (commercial lease agreement
case involving issue of constructive eviction)
In re Will of Buck, 130 N.C.App. 408, 503
S.E.2d 126, 350 N.C. 621, 516 S.E.2d 858 (1998) (obtained reversal of trial
court’s grant of directed verdict in will caveat case)
Robbins v. Freeman, 127 N.C.App. 162, 487
S.E.2d 771 (1997) (landmark case requiring N.C. Department of Correction to
change the way they treat inmate’s sentences in prison)
U.S. v. Peglera, 33 F.3d 412 (4th Cir. 1994)
(obtained new sentencing hearing and reduced sentence due to Government’s
violation of plea agreement)
State v. Baker, 109 N.C.App. 643, 428 S.E.2d
476 (1993) (obtained reversal of conviction in indecent liberties case based on
ineffective assistance of counsel)
State v. McDaniels, 103 N.C.App. 175, 405
S.E.2d 358 (1991) (case involving propriety of vehicle stop and subsequent “dog
sniff” of briefcase under Fourth Amendment)
U.S. v. Burbank, IV, 907 F.2d 1140 (4th Cir.
1990) (obtained reversal of conviction due to confrontation clause violation in
Federal mail and wire fraud case, along with co-counsel, Joe Cheshire)
Other Appellate Cases
Powers v. Tatum, (D.W.I. appeal involving
effect of violation of statutory rights on refusal to submit to breathalyzer
test)
State v. Green, 707 S.E.2d 715 (2011) (D.W.I.
appeal involving expert testimony regarding blood alcohol content)
Steinkrause v. Tatum, 364 N.C. 419, 700 S.E.2d
222 (2010) (appeal involving issue of reasonable grounds and willful refusal to
submit to breathalyzer test in DMV license revocation case)
U.S. v. Williams, 364 Fed.Appx. 3 (2010)
Holden v. United States, 2010 WL 3061490
Michael v. Michael, 198 N.C.App. 703, 681
S.E.2d 866 (2009) (alimony and contract case)
84 Lumber Co., L.P. v. Habitech Enterprises,
Inc., 187 N.C.App. 509, 653 S.E.2d 257 (2007) (post-judgment collection
procedures)
State v. Streckfuss, 171 N.C.App. 81, 614
S.E.2d 323 (2005) (involved issue of double jeopardy and out of state driver’s
license)
State v. Rasmussen, 158 N.C.App. 544, 582
S.E.2d 44 (2003)
State v. Batchelor, 157 N.C.App. 421, 579
S.E.2d 422 (2003)
State v. Newsome, 355 N.C. 290, 560 S.E.2d 547
(2002)
U.S. v. Forbes, 1 Fed.Appx. 125 (2001)
(Federal drug case)
State v. Jeffreys, 352 N.C. 152, 544 S.E.2d
233 (4th Cir. 2000)
State v. Vick, 130 N.C.App. 207, 502 S.E.2d
871 (1998)
U.S. v. Goodman, 14 F.3d 597 (1993) (Federal
drug case)
U.S. v. Bethea, 996 F.2d 1212 (1993) (Federal
drug case)
U.S. v. Cheatham, 979 F.2d 849 (1992) (Federal
drug case)
U.S. v. Bissette, 943 F2d 50 (1991) (Federal
drug case)
U.S. v. Barefoot, 952 F.2d 397 (1991) (Federal
drug case)
Personal Background
and Activities
George served on the 10th Judicial District Bar Grievance
Committee and was on the Board of Directors of the North Carolina State
University Club for several years. George is a member of the Appellate Section,
the Land Use Section and the Criminal Law Section of the North Carolina Bar
Association. George has been a member of the N.C. Academy of Trial Lawyers, the
National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers and the American Bar
Association. He is a member of the Buncombe County Bar Association and the
North Carolina Bar Association (Appellate Section Council). He has been a lecturer and speaker at various
CLE seminars. As a high school student, George was chosen to attend the
Governor’s School of North Carolina.
