About

Steve Vining

Steve has over 35 years of legal experience, both in private practice and as general counsel to a real estate development company. This combination of working in private practice and as part of a business leadership team gives him a unique perspective on the needs of businesses.

As general counsel and managing partner in a Raleigh, North Carolina-based land development company with projects across the country, he provided leadership and legal guidance through all stages of company growth, from an early stage traditional land development company, through post-2008 acquisition and disposition of small distressed assets, to post-2011 acquisition and operation of large master planned communities located across the country in partnership with private equity firms. Responsibilities spanned all aspects of the company’s legal affairs and business operations, including contract negotiation and drafting; permitting, land use, and zoning; litigation management; employment matters; negotiation of joint venture agreements with multi-billion-dollar private equity partners; negotiation of project financing agreements; management of governmental relations; management of operating businesses at development projects, including golf courses, real estate brokerage companies, restaurants, clubs, and marinas; insurance and risk management; led all aspects of entitlement process, including managing outside engineers and land planners; managed accounting department responsible for all project and company accounting, including annual audits; led creation and implementation of annual business plans to meet joint venture goals; and led due diligence teams in connection with acquisition of projects, ranging in size from $5 million to $50+ million.

After graduating from the University of Southern California Law School in 1985, Steve started his legal career in Los Angeles, where he became a partner in a large firm, representing an array of Fortune 500 clients in environmental, land use, zoning, and permitting matters. He moved to North Carolina in 1997 where he opened his own law firm. In that practice he represented a wide range of small and medium size businesses. As a trusted advisor in all aspects of his clients’ businesses, he has formed dozens of startup companies, guiding owners through establishing corporate governance processes that met their goals. He has represented both buyers and sellers in in acquisition and disposition of businesses, including all aspects of due diligence. He has represented tenants in negotiations with landlords over lease terms and assisted franchisees in disputes with franchisors. He has also guided clients through disputes with lenders, other businesses, and partners.