Hunter Bruton

Hunter Bruton handles complex commercial and public litigation issues from pre-litigation counseling through Supreme Court appeals. After serving as a law clerk to U.S. Supreme Court Justice Samuel Alito, Hunter began his career as an attorney at a multinational law firm contributing to its Issues & Appeals practice, litigating complex cases and filing briefs in courts across the country. Since returning home to North Carolina, Hunter has continued his nationwide practice while carving out a role at the local level litigating in the North Carolina Business Court, North Carolina Superior Court, the Court of Appeals and the North Carolina Supreme Court.

His litigation practice also includes class actions, administrative law matters, employment disputes and business-to-business disputes. Hunter has successfully managed multi-million dollar high-stakes cases, securing dismissals in state and federal courts or obtaining favorable settlements. He shapes appellate strategy in cases that originate with the firm, and in cases that call on the firm later for appeal, in search of repair. He has argued before multiple U.S. Courts of Appeals, including a case of first impression in the Federal Circuit narrowing the government’s exemption from the Takings Clause. His appellate work has shaped precedent in areas like constitutional law, federal preemption, sovereign immunity and trade secret misappropriation. Hunter has a proven track record of minimizing risk while maintaining his clients’ business objectives, exemplified by key victories such as dismissals of consumer class action complaints.

Hunter is a problem solver first and litigator second, always striving to minimize legal exposure and resolve business disputes before they become public. His approach combines deep legal knowledge with a commitment to his clients’ long-term goals and reputational concerns. Hunter often serves as outside counsel for corporations mitigating legal risk, handling investigations, advising on compliance and formulating contracting best practices. Hunter advises a range of clients—from Fortune 500 companies to start-ups—across industries including banking, healthcare, technology, data privacy, finance and administrative law.

Read More

Hunter graduated from Duke University School of Law as the valedictorian. His background includes clerking for Justice Alito at the U.S. Supreme Court, as well as judges on the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit and U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia. Hunter also served as a Bristow Fellow with the Office of the Solicitor General at the U.S. Department of Justice, where he focused on U.S. Supreme Court litigation.

A fun fact: Hunter spent time as a summer associate with Smith Anderson while attending Duke. In his spare time, Hunter is an avid golfer, enthusiastic pickle ball player and occasional salsa dancer.

View Less

Recognition

• The Best Lawyers in America, One to Watch, Appellate Practice (2023-2025)
• North Carolina Pro Bono Honor Society (2020-2022)
• Capital Pro Bono Honor Roll, High Honors (2020-2022)

Clerkships

• Samuel A. Alito Jr., Supreme Court of the United States (2019-2020)
• Ellen S. Huvelle, U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia (2017-2018)
• Thomas F. Hogan, U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia (2017-2018)
• Allyson K. Duncan, U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit (2016-2017)

Education

• Duke University, J.D., summa cum laude, valedictorian, 2016
  • Mordecai Scholar
  • Order of the Coif
  • Notes Editor, Duke Law Journal
• University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, B.A., with highest distinction, 2012
  • Morehead-Cain Scholar
  • Phi Beta Kappa

Bar & Court Admissions

• American Bar Association
  • Litigation Section
  • Class Actions & Derivative Suits Committee

• Led emergency briefing and settlement team for a Fortune 500 client that obtained its full relief.
• Removed consumer class actions and successfully defended against multi-million-dollar class allegations.
• Successfully limited a nationwide class action to a California-only class in California state court.
• Secured a win in a case of first impression in the Federal Circuit that narrowed the federal government’s exemption from the Fifth Amendment’s Taking Clause.
• Obtained dismissal with prejudice in North Carolina state court in a complex business dispute following a hearing on the motion to dismiss.
• Secured dismissal of a Title VII complaint in federal court against a media company.
• Drafted summary judgment motions and motions in limine for a healthcare client resulting in a successful settlement on the eve of trial.
• Represented a client in a successful Fifth Circuit appeal challenging the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau's authority.
• Secured a stay pending appeal in a constitutional and administrative law challenge to an unlawfully promulgated rule.
• Represented a client in a Fifth Circuit appeal implicating a circuit split on an Administrative Procedure Act sovereign immunity question.
• Represented the prevailing party in a landmark Ninth Circuit appeal on a federal preemption question implicating a circuit split.
• Successfully defended a client in a Ninth Circuit appeal on trade secret misappropriation.
• Obtained dismissal on state standing grounds in a landmark Fair Credit Reporting Act case.
• Secured a judgment holding that the Consumer Product Safety Commission was unconstitutionally structured.
• Secured a remand in a Seventh Circuit appeal implicating constitutional and administrative law issues.