Source: https://www.parkerpoe.com/attorneys/william-l-esser-iv
Timestamp: 2019-04-18 20:55:07+00:00

Document:
Will Esser focuses his practice primarily on commercial litigation, bankruptcy and creditors’ rights, foreclosures, loan workouts, and loan sales. He has successfully represented lenders, loan servicers, landlords, municipal governments, creditors’ committees, receivers, and investment companies in federal and state court lawsuits, bankruptcies, arbitrations, and restructurings. He has a particular emphasis on matters involving real estate, including mortgage servicing litigation, title insurance claims, lease and development disputes, and appraisal issues, among others.
Will is certified by the North Carolina Dispute Resolution Commission (NCDRC) as a Superior Court mediator. He also serves as a co-chair of Parker Poe’s financial services litigation team and head of Parker Poe’s North Carolina foreclosure practice.
Will is admitted to the United States Supreme Court, the United States Courts of Appeals for the Fourth, Tenth, and Eleventh Circuits, as well as the federal district and bankruptcy courts for the Eastern, Middle, and Western Districts of North Carolina.
Prior to joining Parker Poe, he served as a law clerk for the Honorable Paul J. Kelly on the United States Court of Appeals for the Tenth Circuit.
Litigated breach of contract claims arising from asset purchase agreements, franchise and distributor agreements, real property leases, and all forms of commercial contracts.
Defended financial institutions from lender liability claims, including borrower/guarantor claims for misrepresentation, fraud, tortious interference with business, negligence, unfair trade practices, and related tort actions.
Litigated cases involving complex financial instruments (such as interest rate swaps and letters of credit) and infrastructure bonds in federal court and the North Carolina Business Court.
Organized and led multi-firm joint defense team to defend more than 100 corporate clients in mass fraudulent transfer/alleged Ponzi scheme litigation.
Defended mortgage servicers from all varieties of claims, including wrongful foreclosure, FCRA, FDCPA, RESPA, and TILA.
Prosecuted contested foreclosures before clerk of court and on appeal.
Defended bankruptcy adversary proceedings and assisted with relief from stay/contested plan confirmation fights.
Analyzed and resolved challenging title issues related to encroachments, access, zoning, and lien priority.
Represented creditors in all areas of bankruptcy practice in Chapter 7, 11, 12, or 13, such as cash collateral motions, motions for adequate protection/relief from stay, and contested confirmation hearings.
Represented unsecured creditor committees from committee formation through final distribution under confirmed plans.
Assisted purchasers in Section 363 asset sales.
Defended vendors, surety companies, and other defendants in preference and avoidance actions.
Managed the workout of large loan portfolios for lenders involving hundreds of real property foreclosures/note collection lawsuits.
Obtained the appointment of real property receivers over all collateral types (office, multifamily, retail, and industrial).
Negotiated and litigated title insurance claims and other real property related litigation.
Assisted with all stages of loan workouts, including forbearance agreements, loan modifications, deeds in lieu, short sales, and collection actions.
Represented buyers and sellers in loan sale transactions, including due diligence and contract negotiation.
In re M.A.W., 804 S.E.2d 513 (N.C. 2017). Pro bono case in which the North Carolina Supreme Court reversed the Court of Appeals and clarified the standard applicable to termination of a previously incarcerated father’s parental rights.
Rose Oil Company, Inc. v. PNC Bank, N.A., 2016 WL 373961 (E.D.N.C. 2016). Granted dismissal of lender liability claims against bank regarding loans and interest rate swap, including enforcement of contested release in loan modification agreement.
ACC Construction, Inc. v. Suntrust Mortgage, Inc., 769 S.E.2d 200 (N.C. Ct. App. 2015). Affirmed dismissal of unjust enrichment and constructive trust claims against lender arising from contested foreclosure, as well as awarding sanctions against plaintiff and plaintiff’s counsel.
The Caper Corporation v. Wells Fargo Bank, N.A., 578 Fed. Appx. 276 (4th Cir. 2014). Affirmed dismissal of multiple contract and tort claims against bank related to interest rate swap used to hedge floating rate LIBOR loan.
Campbell v. Hanover Insurance Company, 709 F.3d 388 (4th Cir.), cert. denied, 134 S. Ct. 221(2013). Affirmed the grant of summary judgment to surety company on trustee’s preference claims arising from surety’s draw on a letter of credit provided by bonded contractor.
Harris v. SunTrust Mortgage et. al., 2013 WL 1120846 (M.D.N.C. March 18, 2013). Granted lender’s motion to dismiss claims asserted by borrower, including wrongful foreclosure and violations of TILA, RESPA, HOEPA, FCRA, slander of title, and others.
LFM Real Estate Ventures, LLC v. SunTrust Bank, 2012 WL 6114242 (W.D.N.C. December 7, 2012). Awarded lender judgment against borrower and guarantors, and dismissing lender liability claims for alleged fraud, predatory lending, breach of contract, breach of fiduciary duty, and unfair and deceptive trade practices.
In re Versant Properties, 2011 WL 1131057 (W.D.N.C. 2011). Held that lender, not lien claimants, was entitled to return of excess letter of credit funds drawn by municipal government for subdivision infrastructure.
Speedway Motorsports International Limited v. Bronwen Energy Trading, Ltd., 706 S.E.2d. 262 (N.C. Ct. App. 2011). Affirmed denial of French bank’s request to change venue to Switzerland based on forum selection clause contained in demand guarantee to collateralize international purchase of petroleum products.

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