As an associate in Womble Bond Dickinson’s Business Litigation service group, Brian Castro plays an active role in defending clients from individual and class action product liability cases and consumer fraud claims. In particular, he focuses his practice on defending businesses and government officials in complex disputes at the trial court and appellate level. Brian also advises colleges and universities on compliance, policy and liability matters affecting campuses including FERPA compliance, Title IX and sexual misconduct investigations, and regulatory interpretation.
Prior to joining Womble Bond Dickinson, Brian gained valuable in-house experience as an intern for the general counsel’s office of a global pharmaceutical company. He has also served as judicial extern for three North Carolina judges, in the NC Supreme Court, NC Court of Appeals, and United States Bankruptcy Court.
When not practicing law, Brian likes to stay involved in a number of civic activities and often uses his musical talents as a means to help others in his church and in the community. He is also a fluent Spanish speaker.
Representative Experience
- Lead appellate counsel for a government entity in defending a class action lawsuit regarding whether COVID-19 restrictions constituted a Taking under the 5th Amendment of the U.S. Constitution. This was a case of first impression in the 4th Circuit. After having the case dismissed at the district court level per Rule 12(b)(6), conducted the oral argument for the appellee with a very active bench, and the 4th Circuit unanimously affirmed in our favor in January of 2023.
- Lead appellate counsel for a government entity and its employees in defending a Title VII lawsuit regarding a childcare facility. Successfully had the case dismissed on statute of limitations grounds, rejecting plaintiff’s “continuing wrong” arguments. The 4th Circuit affirmed.
- Drafted appellate briefs in an action pending in Georgia regarding a multi-million-dollar development project. Successfully had summary judgment granted, our real estate developer clients’ claims were allowed to proceed, and the Georgia Court of Appeals affirmed on appeal.
- Lead appellate counsel for an insurance company that was wrongfully accused of bad faith and violations of the N.C. Unfair and Deceptive Trade Practices Act. The 4th Circuit affirmed summary judgment in our client’s favor, accepting our legal arguments regarding the appropriate standards to be applied to insurance companies which retain the authority to settle claims brought by employees of the insured.
Honors & Awards
- Recognized in Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch in America (BL Rankings), Commercial Litigation, Insurance Law, Litigation - Construction, and Mass Tort Litigation/Class Actions - Defendants, 2023
