J. Anthony “Andy” Penry
Special Counsel
| Raleigh
Industries
Services
Meet Andy
Andy Penry is an experienced trial lawyer who represents clients in complex construction disputes, securities litigation and high-stakes commercial matters across multiple jurisdictions. With over four decades of experience, he advises both public and private sector clients in federal and state courts, focusing on practical strategies to resolve sophisticated legal and regulatory challenges.Andy’s practice centers on construction litigation, securities enforcement and regulatory matters, as well as business disputes. He regularly handles claims involving large-scale construction projects, contract and defect disputes, securities fraud, regulatory compliance and complex commercial transactions. His experience includes representing governmental entities in significant enforcement actions, contractors and owners in billion-dollar construction matters, and corporate clients in nationwide litigation and regulatory proceedings.
Andy brings deep regulatory insight to his practice, drawing on his service as Deputy Securities Administrator and Head of the Securities Division of the North Carolina Department of the Secretary of State. In that role, he was closely involved in securities regulation and enforcement matters, which provided him with a practical understanding of how regulators evaluate risk, compliance and enforcement priorities. He has also advised clients on regulatory approvals and compliance issues involving federal agencies, including matters related to highly regulated industries.
In addition to his litigation and regulatory work, Andy has held several prominent leadership roles in public service. He served as Chair of the North Carolina State Board of Elections, as a member of the Election Assistance Commission Advisory Board and on the Election Law Committee of the Uniform Law Commission.
Licensed to practice in North Carolina, South Carolina, Florida and California, Andy began his legal career as a law clerk to a federal district judge before practicing with national law firms and later establishing his own firm. He is board-certified by the Florida Bar in both business litigation and construction litigation.
Andy also serves as an adjunct professor at Wake Forest University School of Law and Campbell University’s Norman Adrian Wiggins School of Law, where he teaches election law and securities regulation.
Education
- Georgetown Law Center, LL.M., Securities and Financial Regulation, 2022
- Wake Forest University School of Law, J.D., 1979
- UNC Chapel Hill, B.A., 1976
Admissions
- North Carolina
- South Carolina
- Florida
- California
Honors and Awards
- The Best Lawyers in America® Construction Law (2007-Present), Litigation – Construction (2007-Present), Litigation – Securities (2007-Present), Mediation (2007-Present)
- North Carolina Super Lawyers® Construction Litigation (2007-2023)
Professional and Civic Activities
- Carolinas AGC
- Construction Financial Management Association
- American Board of Trial Advocates
- American Law Institute, Elected Member
- Uniform Law Commission, Election Law Committee
- WakeMed Board of Directors, Former Member
