J.T. Crook

John “J.T.” Crook is an attorney in the firm’s litigation section, regularly representing businesses, financial institutions, insurance companies and their insureds in a variety of civil litigation matters. His practice focuses in the areas of financial services litigation, commercial litigation, general tort liability, construction defect litigation, personal injury litigation, professional liability, and insurance coverage disputes. J.T. has tried multiple cases to a verdict, and regularly appears on behalf of his clients in state and federal courts across North Carolina.

In 2021, J.T. was peer selected and recognized in North Carolina Super Lawyer Magazine in the practice area of business litigation. Previously, in 2013, 2014, 2015 and again in 2016, J.T. was selected as a North Carolina Super Lawyers “Rising Star” (a category for attorneys 40 years old or younger) by peer evaluation in the business litigation practice area. No more than 2.5 percent of North Carolina attorneys are named to the Rising Stars list.

J.T. has served as the President, Secretary, Treasurer and Social Chair for the Young Lawyers Division of the Wake County Bar Association, and served a year by virtue of those positions on the Wake County Bar Associate Board of Directors. He is annual contributor to the A.M. Best Company Digest of Insurance Law for North Carolina. He also serves as a presenter, along with several members of Bailey & Dixon, LLP, for Department of Insurance-approved Continuing Education seminars for his adjuster-clients.

J.T. joined Bailey & Dixon in the fall of 2006, after graduating from the Norman A. Wiggins School of Law at Campbell University. Before law school, he received his undergraduate degree in History from North Carolina State University.

J.T. and his wife, Jill, live in Raleigh with their three young sons, Henry, Elijah and Silas.

Some of J.T.’s representative experience includes the following:

• Serving as casualty coverage counsel for state-wide provider of personal, commercial, and agricultural lines of insurance
• Provided claim repair assistance to practicing attorneys on behalf of professional liability carrier to set aside default judgments, cure defects in service of process, and avoid subsequent malpractice claims
• Defended property preservation and inspection company in multiple separate legal actions against claims of trespass and conversion in connection with claims against mortgage lenders and loan servicers
• Defended financial institution in multiple lawsuits brought by different depositors, each alleging claims of conversion and breach of fiduciary duty, helping to obtain a dismissal with prejudice in favor of the institution on each occasion
• Represent and defend multiple trucking companies in catastrophic injury claims across North Carolina

Education

• North Carolina State University, B.S., magna cum laude, 2003
• Campbell University School of Law, J.D., 2006

Jurisdictions Licensed

• All North Carolina State Courts
• United States District Court for the Eastern, Middle and Western Districts of North Carolina
• United States Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit

Reported Cases

• In Re Coggins, 260 N.C. App. 705, 817 S.E.2d 502 (2018)
• Thornton v. Stuckey No. COA 11-508, 721 S.E.2d 763, 2012 N.C. App. LEXIS 157 (N.C. Ct. App. 2012)
• Edgewater Services, Inc. v. EPIC Logistics, Inc. No. COA 11-176, 720 S.E.2d 30, 2011 N.C. App. LEXIS 2494 (N.C. Ct. App. 2011)
• Ford v. Paddock 196 N.C. App. 133, 674 S.E.2d 689 (2009)
• Goodman v. Holmes & McLaurin 192 N.C. App. 467, 665 S.E.2d 526 (2008)
• Magnolia Mfg. of N.C., Inc. v. Erie Ins. Exch. 361 N.C. 213, 639 S.E.2d 443 (2007)
• Webb v. Brawn No. 15-6332, 2015 U.S. App. LEXIS 16315 (4th Cir. 2015)
• Vinal v. Federal National Mortgage Ass’n No. 7:13-CV-159, 2015 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 125052 (E.D.N.C. 2015)

Professional Affiliations

• Wake County Bar Association
• North Carolina Bar Association