Commercial Collections | Construction Law | Creditors Rights | Dispute Resolution
A People-Oriented Construction Lawyer with a Love of Research – and a Cat!
Nan Hannah discovered early in her career that construction law combined with commercial collections gave her the opportunity to assist her clients while facilitating reasonable outcomes for all parties in a matter. She combines her law practice with a love of research, volunteering in the community, traveling, cooking and being owned by her two cats, Sasha and Carter.
Early Life
Following in the footsteps of her father, who was a founder of the construction law section, Nan was destined for a career in the field. A native of Greensboro, NC, Nan served a two-year stint as a research assistant at the North Carolina Supreme Court, where she gained experience in a broad spectrum of legal issues and the appellate process. Thereafter, she spent a short time with an insurance defense firm, which proved an effective training ground for civil litigation. For the past 20+ years, Nan has helped clients in the construction industry with lien, bond and collection matters.
Before attending law school, Nan spent seven years teaching high school social studies while coaching basketball and track and field at Taylor High School in Katy, TX, then at James B. Hunt High School in Wilson, NC. In 1989, Nan was named girls’ basketball co-coach of the year for the Big East 3A Conference.
Points of Pride
Nan is proud to be a member of Hannah Sheridan & Cochran, LLP, and strives to be as responsive as possible to clients who have questions or concerns. She recognizes the importance of providing prompt, accurate and well-reasoned service, and makes a point of being available when clients need her.
While zealously representing her clients in efforts to recover funds owed to them, Nan believes in helping responsible debtors to structure a resolution that works for all parties. Her passion for research drives a determination to track down the hidden assets of defaulters, to ensure the best possible outcome for the client.
Since her career began in 1993, Nan’s expertise in construction law has enabled her to bring a diverse, people-focused background to the disciplines of creditors’ bankruptcy rights, contract negotiation and review and appellate advocacy. Nan is a certified mediator in the North Carolina Dispute Resolution Commission’s Superior Court Mediation Program. Nan is now a member of the Construction Panel for the American Arbitration Association.
A Volunteer’s Soul
Nan volunteers with a number of community and professional organizations, including the North Carolina Bar Association, the Wake County/Tenth Judicial District Bars, and the Taylor Family YMCA where she currently chairs the Major Gifts Teams in the We Build People fundraising campaign. She also serves as the Chairman for the Triangle Sports Commission which is seeking to bring the 2027 World University Summer Games to North Carolina. Nan is an elder at White Memorial Presbyterian Church. She just began her three-year term as a member of the Law Council for the Washington & Lee University School of Law. She feels blessed to be able to serve in leadership roles in the community and has held multiple volunteer roles throughout her career. Nan enjoys the opportunity to fulfill one of the obligations of being a licensed attorney by giving back to the community and promoting the rule of law.
Personal Pleasures
In 2017, Nan plunged into the role of “Cat Mom” by adopting a small gray tabby named Sasha. When Sasha looked lonely, Nan made the fateful decision to adopt Carter, a rambunctious bigger brown tabby. The challenges and adventures of Sasha and Carter now dominate Facebook. “I’m certain people know more about Sasha and Carter than about me,” she says with a smile. In addition, she loves baking for others and cooks in her free time.
Nan has visited all 50 states and is now working on visiting as many National Park Service units as she can. With her wealth of experience and her philosophy of service, we believe our construction law clients are in good hands with Nan Hannah.
Education
- Washington & Lee University, Juris Doctor, 1993
- Baylor University, M.S. in Education, 1982
- Furman University, B.A. in Physical Education, 1981
Admissions
- North Carolina State Bar
- United States District Court, Eastern, Middle, and Western Districts of North Carolina
- United States Bankruptcy Court, Eastern, Middle, and Western Districts of North Carolina
- United States Fourth Circuit Court of Appeals
- Supreme Court of the United States
Practice Areas
- Civil Litigation
- NC Construction Law
- Appellate Practice
- Dispute Resolution
- Commercial Collections
- Business Law
- Contract Law
- Creditors’ Rights in Bankruptcy
- Receiverships
Professional/Community Involvement
- North Carolina Bar Association – Current: At-large Member, Board of Directors; Past: Member, Board of Governors; Chair & Section Council, Construction Law Section; Chair, Transitioning Lawyers Commission (2012-14, 2019 – 2022).
- WCBA/Tenth Judicial District Bars – President (2010).
- Triangle Sports Commission, Board Chair; Local Bid Committee for 2027 World University Summer Games.
- Taylor Family YMCA – Present: Chair, Major Gifts, We Build People Campaign; Past: Youth Basketball Coach (20+ years); Board of Advisors.
- White Memorial Presbyterian Church – Ruling Elder; Past-Moderators, Board of Deacons.
- Washington & Lee University School of Law – Member, Law Council; Past-President, Eastern North Carolina Alumni Chapter; Class Agent.
- Fellow, Construction Lawyers Society of America.
- Fellow, American Bar Foundation.
- AV Preeminent Rating, Martindale-Hubbell.
Speaking Engagements / Publications
- “Psychology of Retirement” and other topics related to Transitional Lawyers Commission work
- (New Hampshire State LAP program; NCBA Paralegal Division; NCBA Senior Lawyers Division; South Carolina Bar Association; and numerous NCBA sections, plus local bar associations)
- Construction Law Section (various topics over the years, including Unfair & Deceptive Trade Practices; Bankruptcy and Construction Law; Psychology of Retirement)
- Bankruptcy Section (Developer Bankruptcy Issues)
- 2012-2013 Revisions to the North Carolina Lien/Bond Law – Chapter 44A, Articles 2 and 3 (numerous clients and groups)
Contact
919-859-6840
