Albert Sneed is Of Counsel with The Van Winkle Law Firm, where his practice involved counseling businesses on a range of issues and representing them in litigation in both federal and state courts. While he has built the foundation of his practice working with small companies, Sneed has also handled significant mergers, acquisitions and shareholder disputes on behalf of large companies in the manufacturing, engineering and mining industries. His breadth of experience extends to zoning and regulatory compliance matters and extensive representation of creditors and creditor committees in bankruptcy proceedings and foreclosures.

Among his career highlights, Sneed defeated an historic district rezoning and secured a $2.3 million jury verdict for flood damages enhanced by inadequate railroad culvert.

Practice Areas

Awards & Honors

  • The Best Lawyers in America® 2020, Asheville Area –
    • Bankruptcy and Creditor Debtor Rights / Insolvency and Reorganization Law
    • Commercial Litigation
    • Corporate Law
  • AV Peer-Review Rated by Martindale-Hubbell
  • Best Lawyers in America
  • Business North Carolina Legal Elite
  • North Carolina Super Lawyer

Practice Highlights

  • Practice Successes
    • $2.3 million jury verdict for flood damages enhanced by inadequate railroad culvert.
  • Business Acquisitions and Sales
    • Represented seller in sale of Stencel Aero Engineering (aircraft ejection seat manufacturer).
    • Represented buyer in purchase of Lawson United Feldspar (Feldspar Mining Company).
    • Represented seller in sale of Charles D. Owen Mfg. Co. stock to Springs Industries (blanket manufacturer).
  • Zoning and Municipal Cases
    • Unruh v. City of Asheville, 97 N.C. App. 810 (1990): defeated historic district rezoning.
    • Morris Communication v. City of Asheville, 356 N.C. 103 (2002): defeated amortization of outdoor advertising signs.
    • Donoho v. City of Asheville, 153 N.C. App. 110 (2002), cert. denied, 356 N.C. 669 (2003): environmental fines must be paid to the school board.
    • Thrash, Ltd. vs. Buncombe County, 673 S.E. 2d 814 (N.C. Ct. App 2009); county zoning ordinance held invalid.

Education

  • Duke University, Juris Doctor, 1973
  • University of North Carolina, Bachelor’s Degree in Math, 1965

Community Involvement

  • Asheville-Buncombe VISION, Former Chairperson
  • Christ School Board of Directors, Former President

Professional Affiliations

  • Asheville Area Chamber of Commerce, Former Board Member
  • Harry C. Martin American Inns of Court
  • Council of Independent Business Owners, Founding Member & Former President
  • Buncombe County Land Conservation Board, Chairperson
  • Inactive Member of the Buncombe County Bar
  • Retired Member of the North Carolina State Bar
  • Retired Member of the North Carolina Bar Association

Albert and his wife, Martha “Barrie” Sneed, raised two sons, Lee and Paul, and two grandchildren. A native of Pinehurst, N.C., he has a passion for windsurfing, fishing and Upland bird hunting with his dog, Lily.