Idea Exchange

Joseph W. Eason

Partner

301 Hillsborough Street
Suite 1400
Raleigh, NC 27603

T 919.329.3807
F 919.329.3799

joe.eason@nelsonmullins.com

Joe focuses on the resolution of commercial and regulatory disputes, with emphasis on utility and insurance industry issues. He also assists a variety of clients on matters pertaining to trade regulation, including issues arising under federal and state antitrust and unfair trade laws, and laws protecting intellectual property interests.

Experience

Following is a selected sampling of matters and is provided for informational purposes only. Past success does not indicate the likelihood of success in any future matter.

Energy and Utilities

Has been the lead attorney in cases involving electric power, gas and telephone tariffs and contracts, participating in numerous proceedings before the North Carolina Utilities Commission, as well as state and federal courts in North Carolina
Has counseled several clients in connection with wholesale and retail electric and natural gas supply contracts, including the negotiation and drafting of such arrangements, and obtaining approvals of regulatory agencies when required.
Other regulatory engagements including certification and siting proceedings, rulemakings, general and avoided cost rate–making proceedings, and tariff disputes

Insurance

Has provided counsel and litigation services to a variety of industry members and trade associations, and represented various clients in courts, in dealings with the N.C. Department of Insurance, and in connection with legislative initiatives
Experience includes the defense of claims under primary and reinsurance agreements for casualty, disability, mortgage guaranty, and title insurers, as well as the defense of unfair trade and antitrust claims asserted against insurers and other related organizations
Experience with insurance liquidations and reorganizations, including the representation of receivers, former officers and directors, and other parties in interest, as general counsel to the N.C. Insurance Guaranty Association
Representations before the N.C. Department of Insurance have included licensure proceedings, compliance disputes, acquisitions, and issues involving financial evaluations and market conduct examinations

Additional Experience

Experience in complex commercial litigation and class actions, including cases involving allegations of unfair competition and deceptive trade practices
Representation of manufacturers, distributors, and financial service providers in market unfair trade litigations brought by private parties and by state officers, including the N.C. Attorney General
Served as primary counsel in several reported decisions in which issues of first impression pertaining to trade practices have been resolved by federal or state courts in the Southeast region

Education

University of North Carolina School of Law, JD, with honors (1977)
- The Order of the Coif
- Member, North Carolina Law Review
University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, BA, Political Science (1974)

Admissions

North Carolina

Practice Areas

Industries

Following is a selected sampling of matters and is provided for informational purposes only. Past success does not indicate the likelihood of success in any future matter.

Energy and Utilities

Has been the lead attorney in cases involving electric power, gas and telephone tariffs and contracts, participating in numerous proceedings before the North Carolina Utilities Commission, as well as state and federal courts in North Carolina
Has counseled several clients in connection with wholesale and retail electric and natural gas supply contracts, including the negotiation and drafting of such arrangements, and obtaining approvals of regulatory agencies when required.
Other regulatory engagements including certification and siting proceedings, rulemakings, general and avoided cost rate–making proceedings, and tariff disputes

Insurance

Has provided counsel and litigation services to a variety of industry members and trade associations, and represented various clients in courts, in dealings with the N.C. Department of Insurance, and in connection with legislative initiatives
Experience includes the defense of claims under primary and reinsurance agreements for casualty, disability, mortgage guaranty, and title insurers, as well as the defense of unfair trade and antitrust claims asserted against insurers and other related organizations
Experience with insurance liquidations and reorganizations, including the representation of receivers, former officers and directors, and other parties in interest, as general counsel to the N.C. Insurance Guaranty Association
Representations before the N.C. Department of Insurance have included licensure proceedings, compliance disputes, acquisitions, and issues involving financial evaluations and market conduct examinations

Additional Experience

Experience in complex commercial litigation and class actions, including cases involving allegations of unfair competition and deceptive trade practices
Representation of manufacturers, distributors, and financial service providers in market unfair trade litigations brought by private parties and by state officers, including the N.C. Attorney General
Served as primary counsel in several reported decisions in which issues of first impression pertaining to trade practices have been resolved by federal or state courts in the Southeast region

Media

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Recognitions

The bar rules of some states require that the standards for an attorney's inclusion in certain public accolades or recognitions be provided. When such accolades or recognitions are listed, a hyperlink is provided that leads to a description of the respective selection methodology.

The Best Lawyers in America© – Insurance Law (2022–2024)
Chambers USA: America's Leading Lawyers for Business, Energy & Natural Resources – North Carolina (2021–2023)

Professional Activities

American Bar Association
North Carolina Bar Association
North Carolina Bar Association, Antitrust and Trade Regulation Section Council (1996 – 1999)

Leadership

Chairman, Tenth Judicial District Fee Dispute Resolution Committee (2004 – 2011)

Overview

Experience

Following is a selected sampling of matters and is provided for informational purposes only. Past success does not indicate the likelihood of success in any future matter.

Energy and Utilities

Has been the lead attorney in cases involving electric power, gas and telephone tariffs and contracts, participating in numerous proceedings before the North Carolina Utilities Commission, as well as state and federal courts in North Carolina
Has counseled several clients in connection with wholesale and retail electric and natural gas supply contracts, including the negotiation and drafting of such arrangements, and obtaining approvals of regulatory agencies when required.
Other regulatory engagements including certification and siting proceedings, rulemakings, general and avoided cost rate–making proceedings, and tariff disputes

Insurance

Has provided counsel and litigation services to a variety of industry members and trade associations, and represented various clients in courts, in dealings with the N.C. Department of Insurance, and in connection with legislative initiatives
Experience includes the defense of claims under primary and reinsurance agreements for casualty, disability, mortgage guaranty, and title insurers, as well as the defense of unfair trade and antitrust claims asserted against insurers and other related organizations
Experience with insurance liquidations and reorganizations, including the representation of receivers, former officers and directors, and other parties in interest, as general counsel to the N.C. Insurance Guaranty Association
Representations before the N.C. Department of Insurance have included licensure proceedings, compliance disputes, acquisitions, and issues involving financial evaluations and market conduct examinations

Additional Experience

Experience in complex commercial litigation and class actions, including cases involving allegations of unfair competition and deceptive trade practices
Representation of manufacturers, distributors, and financial service providers in market unfair trade litigations brought by private parties and by state officers, including the N.C. Attorney General
Served as primary counsel in several reported decisions in which issues of first impression pertaining to trade practices have been resolved by federal or state courts in the Southeast region

Education

University of North Carolina School of Law, JD, with honors (1977)
- The Order of the Coif
- Member, North Carolina Law Review
University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, BA, Political Science (1974)