“Property ownership is one of the core fundamental rights guaranteed by our Constitution. My passion is protecting those property rights from the broad and abusive powers of the North Carolina Department of Transportation, local municipalities, utility companies and other condemnors. Far too often, I see those powerful agencies attempting to pressure and intimidate landowners into accepting something less than full and fair just compensation as guaranteed by our Constitution. I have never represented the government’s interests, nor will I ever do so in the future. For my entire professional career, it has been ingrained too deep in my heart that I will always be an advocate and voice for the property owner against an over-reaching and powerful government.”
Owner and partner David Henson joined Henson Fuerst in 1998 to represent those individuals, businesses, and churches confronted with the possibility of losing their land to the government. David dedicates his time in the practice areas of eminent domain and land condemnation. He also represents property owners in rezoning requests, conditional use permits, zoning violations, and solar farm applications.
Current clients regularly include commercial property owners, national franchise chain owners or operators, commercial and residential developers, national and local churches, land investors and speculators, and agricultural and farm operators.
David serves on the Board of Governors and Executive Committee of the North Carolina Advocates for Justice—the state’s largest organization of more than 3,500 lawyers and legal professionals dedicated to protecting people’s rights through community, education, and advocacy. He has also served as the organization’s Vice President of Legal Affairs, Education, and Communications.
Education
- B.A.—University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill
- J.D.—University of North Carolina School of Law
BAR ADMISSIONS
- North Carolina State Bar Association
- U.S. District Court, Middle District of North Carolina
- U.S. District Court, Eastern District of North Carolina
PROFESSIONAL ASSOCIATIONS
- American Association for Justice
- North Carolina Advocates for Justice
- President – 2020-2021
- President-Elect, 2019-2020
- Fundraising and Development Officer, 2018-2019
- Eminent Domain Section
- Board of Governors and Executive Committee
- Vice President of Legal Affairs, 2017-2018
- Vice President of Communications, 2016-2017
- Vice President of Education, 2015-2016
- Legal Ethics Affairs Committee
- North Carolina Bar Association
AWARDS
- North Carolina Advocates for Justice
- Ebbie Award, 2019
- Order of Service, 2008-2017
- American Association for Justice
- Heavy Lifting Award, 2011
- Selected to Super Lawyers®, 2019-2020
- AV® Preeminent™ Peer Review Rated by Martindale-Hubbell®
- AVVO Rating 10/10
- Best Lawyers™ in America, 2012 & 2017
- National Trial Lawyers—Top 40 Under 40
- North Carolina Lawyers Weekly Leaders in the Law, 2013