Joe Dye Culik
PRINCIPAL ATTORNEY
Attorney Joe Culik’s practice is concentrated in the areas of business law, franchise law, and civil litigation. He earned his reputation standing up for the little guy, helping small businesses and individuals defend their rights against impossible odds.
Joe has litigated against many of the largest corporations in America, prosecuting both individual and class-action lawsuits in the trial and appellate courts. He has a record of fighting aggressively for his clients’ rights to obtain the best possible outcome. Because of his experience litigating cases throughout the court system, he is often able to find ways to avoid protracted litigation via negotiated resolutions.
When advising businesses, franchisees, and other entrepreneurs, Joe’s advice is practical. He takes his role as an adviser and counselor seriously, and he understands that each client has their own unique set of priorities and needs. Only by fully understanding each client can he help achieve the outcomes they truly want and need.
One of Joe's proudest moments as an attorney was when he represented a New England fisherman who was defrauded by a predatory lender that then illegally foreclosed on his home. After a week long trial, Joe won a jury verdict, the client was awarded damages, and the foreclosure was reversed.
Joe lives in Charlotte with his wife Shawna and their rescue dog, a Miniature Schnauzer mix named Ava. He enjoys traveling, exercising, reading, and is an enthusiast of Revolutionary War and Civil War history. Both Joe and Shawna love traveling throughout the Southern United States and beyond. Two of his favorite vacations were a spring road trip down the Mississippi Delta, and a Christmas spent in Venice, Italy.
PROFESSIONAL ACTIVITIES
North Carolina Bar Association, Member
Mecklenburg County Bar Association, Member
Business Law Section, Mecklenburg Bar Association
Civil Litigation Section, Mecklenburg Bar Association
Business Law Section, North Carolina Bar Association
Litigation Section, North Carolina Bar Association
Antitrust & Complex Business Disputes Section, North Carolina Bar Association
Chairman, Lawyer Referral Service Committee of the Mecklenburg County Bar Association
American Bar Association, Forum of Franchising
COMMUNITY ACTIVITIES
Vice President, Sons of the American Revolution, Mecklenburg Chapter
President, Prescott Place and Beverly Crest Homeowners Association
President, Ballantyne Lunch Toastmasters
RECOGNITION AND HONORS
Super Lawyers 2012-2019
Preeminent 5 out of 5, Martindale-Hubbell
LAW PRACTICE EMPHASIS
+ Business Law
+ Franchise Law
+ Business Start-up and Formation
+ Business Organization
+ Civil Litigation
+ Class Action Litigation
+ Business Dispute Negotiation
+ Contract Review and Negotiation
+ Employment Law
+ Mortgage and Foreclosure Litigation
+ Consumer Protection
+ Debt Collection Harassment
+ Debt Collection Lawsuits
+ FDCPA - Fair Debt Collection Practices Act Litigation
+ FCRA - Fair Credit Reporting Act Litigation
BAR ADMISSIONS
State of North Carolina
U.S. District Court for the Western District of North Carolina
U.S. District Court for the Middle District of North Carolina
U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of North Carolina
U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit Commonwealth of Massachusetts
U.S. District Court for the District of Massachusetts
U.S. Court of Appeals for the First Circuit
EDUCATION
J.D., Michigan State University College of Law (2008)
B.A., Oakland University (2005)