J. Mitchell Armbruster

Mitch Armbruster practices in the areas of commercial and administrative litigation, with significant experience in appellate litigation. He has handled a wide variety of business disputes, administrative agency disputes, regulatory enforcement proceedings, public records disputes, and antitrust matters. He has tried cases in jury and non-jury settings and conducted hearings before various state administrative boards and the North Carolina Office of Administrative Hearings.

Mitch has also handled pro bono appeals for the state Guardian Ad Litem program. Before joining Smith Anderson, he served as a law clerk to the Honorable David B. Sentelle, United States Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit, Washington, D.C.

Recognition

• Benchmark Litigation, North Carolina Litigation Star (2021-2025)
• The Best Lawyers in America®
  • Commercial Litigation (2015-2025)
  • Administrative/Regulatory Law (2024)
• Editor in Chief, North Carolina Law Review, Vol. 77

Clerkships

• Law Clerk to the Honorable David B. Sentelle, United States Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit, Washington, D.C.

Education

• University of North Carolina, J.D., with honors, 1999
• Cornell University, B.S. 1993

Bar & Court Admissions

• North Carolina Bar Association
  • Chair, Antitrust and Complex Business Disputes Section (2016-2017)
  • Appellate Rules Committee
• North Carolina Association of Defense Attorneys, Commercial Litigation
• Wake County Bar Association
• Volunteer Appellate Advocate, North Carolina Guardian ad Litem Program

• Successfully defended rezoning and approval of largest mixed-use planned development in North Carolina history against series of lawsuits seeking to overturn the rezoning and enjoin ongoing construction.
• Obtained $39 million damages award and declaration of common law vested rights for coastal development group, permitting the commercial development of 40 acre oceanfront parcel.
• Successfully defended large agricultural corporation against alleged violations of state pesticide laws and regulations.
• Litigation experience with state public records disputes, seeking production of public records. Also advised government agencies regarding handling of public records requests, compliance with N.C. Open Meetings Law, and conflict of interest laws.
• Obtained summary judgment for Medicaid claims processor on $20 million claim for failure to properly adjudicate claims.
• Successfully defended lawsuits arising from chemical release and industrial accident in eastern North Carolina for a global developer and manufacturer of pharmaceuticals.
• Obtained summary judgment in antitrust class action against national and international airlines asserting price-fixing in the setting of commissions.