Richard C. Stephenson, Partner
rcs@stephenson-law.com
Direct: (919) 459-2187
Over the last twenty five years Rick’s practice has given him the opportunity to handle corporate and real estate deals that have positively impacted Cary and the greater Triangle area.
Rick regularly represents owners, investors and developers in a variety of sophisticated real estate projects including the acquisition, financing, construction, leasing and disposition of commercial properties. These projects include assemblages of raw land as well as retail, office and warehouse/industrial centers. Rick has also provided lender representation to local and national banks.
In addition, Rick practices in the areas of corporate law where he advised clients on entity structure and formation. He has substantial experience in negotiating corporate acquisitions and dispositions as well as drafting and negotiation of operating agreements and shareholder agreements.
Building on his substantial commercial real estate experience, Rick also represents property owner’s in land condemnation litigation against the North Carolina Department of Transportation as well as various municipalities.
Prior to co-founding Stephenson Law in 2002, Rick served on active duty in the United States Navy with the Judge Advocates General Corps. He thereafter served as a Special Assistant United States Attorney for the U.S. Department of Justice where he was a trial prosecutor of white-collar felony cases as well as representing the federal government before the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit.
Aside from his law practice and community activities, Rick's enjoys spending his free time with his family and being a father to his three children.
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Corporate:
Lead counsel for disposition of Triangle-based insurance agency to subsidiary of publicly traded company.
Corporate counsel for real estate developers including drafting and negotiation of operating agreements.
Counsel for Cary-based software firm disposition to publicly traded Silicon Valley financial software firm.
Counsel to national marketing firm with Triangle-based headquarters sale to private equity fund.
Real Estate:
Lead counsel to various Triangle-based homebuilders in acquisition of unimproved land for upscale single family planned communities.
Counsel to various developers in acquisition, development, leasing and disposition of land for industrial, office and retail projects.
Land Condemnation:
Achieved a post-mediation settlement of $4,375,000 for the owners of a 77,000 square foot medical office condominium building in Wake County after NCDOT initially deposited $629,250 for a partial taking which included a grade separation and project related permanent and temporary easements.
Co-counsel on adjacent vacant parcels in Craven County: recovered in excess of $1,000,000 over the initial deposits based on intended joint-development.
Retail building in Wake County: recovered over seven (7) times the initial deposit for reduction in access.
Mixed Use/Flex building in Wake County: recovered over six (6) times the initial deposit for loss of parking and reduced access.
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•Special Assistant United States Attorney, Eastern District of Virginia, 1994-1995
• Member, Cary Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors: Chair 2021-2022 and Vice Chair of Education 2016-2017
• Taylor Family YMCA, Cary Advisory Board: 2014 - 2017
• Campaign Chair, Major Gifts, Cary Family YMCA: 2021-2022
• The Carying Place, Boad of Directors: 2010-2016
• Member, Cary MacGregor Rotary Club
• NC Legal Elite (Business North Carolina Magazine), Real Estate Law: 2016, 2017, 2021; Business Law: 2023
• Best Lawyers in America: Corporate Law and Real Estate Law, 2024 & 2025
• JAGC Lt. U.S. Navy, 1992-1995
• Retired Commander, U.S. Navy Reserve -
• Appalachian State University, B.S.B.A. (1987)
• Campbell University, Norman Adrian Wiggins School of Law J.D. (1992)
