David Needham

David Needham joined our firm in 2021 and handles eminent domain cases in both North Carolina and Georgia. David is licensed to practice law in the states of North Carolina, Georgia, Florida, and Virginia.

Prior to coming to our firm, David was responsible for successfully managing an eightstate REO (Real Estate Owned) practice and representing banking institutions regarding their real property litigation issues. He brought with him 15 years of mediation and arbitration experience, as well as strong negotiation and relationship development skills. David acquired extensive experience negotiating pipeline takings against Fortune 500 utility companies and won the highest property owner payout across the project in West Virginia, Virginia, and North Carolina (at the time) on a per-squarefootage basis against Dominion Power on the Atlantic Coast Pipeline.¹

David has seen firsthand how his actions as an eminent domain attorney can positively impact families, their homes, and their livelihoods. 

One couple he represented owned a farm with horses, goats, show dogs, and bees. When the utility company notified them that they were coming through with a pipeline, these farmers were rattled. David spent much time and effort working through the logistics and compensation issues of moving fencing and barns, as well as identifying future damages to the land. 

The end result for the farmers? A settlement that was 33 times the initial offer.¹ The end result for David? Proof that he can make a difference, plus an on-going relationship that resulted in other cases. 

And David applies great attention to detail and determination to all his cases. In Georgia, he handled a smaller eminent domain taking in which the original offer was $25. Knowing that the case was important to his client, David diligently worked to increase the offer to $4,000… because everyone wants to be treated fairly.¹ 

David was drawn to eminent domain law for many reasons. His prior work with real estate closings and real property litigation was mostly transactional in nature and left him wanting to serve people more directly. He enjoys the client positive aspects of eminent domain and how he is able to help clients navigate what often are huge life events. He is motivated to take the time to really understand his clients’ needs because he enjoys trying to make property owners whole again. 

“Eminent domain is very client-focused and case-specific because every property is different and everything a client brings into the case is important and exclusive to that client. I help people separate the real and valued emotional aspects of their cases.” 

David earned his undergraduate degree in Political Science and Criminal Justice from Indiana University and his J.D. from Texas A&M University School of Law, but he returned to the Southeast soon after. 

David is also committed to making a positive impact in his community, working with the Together We Can nonprofit as well as with various Edenton Street UMC efforts. An active and involved father, he and his wife have two daughters and one son.