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Maginnis Howard

Karl S. Gwaltney

Raleigh Wage and Hour/Consumer Protection Attorney

A native of New Bern, Karl S. Gwaltney attended the University of North Carolina School of Law. Prior to law school, Karl graduated with honors from Appalachian State University. While in law school, Karl was one of two students in his class to complete over 450 hours of pro bono service. He continues his commitment to public service by volunteering at, among others, the Wake County Food Bank, as a Guardian ad Litem, and through the Legal Aid of North Carolina’s Pro Bono program.

Karl practices extensively in consumer protection and class action litigation, including unfair debt collection claims arising under the North Carolina Debt Collection Act, North Carolina Collection Agency Act, Federal Fair Debt Collection Act, Telephone Consumer Protection Act, and the Fair Credit Reporting Act.

Utilizing his extensive working experience and undergraduate studies in employment issues, Karl also represents individual employees in recovering unpaid wages and penalties in state and federal wage and hour claims as well as other employment issues, including Fair Labor Standards Act and North Carolina Wage and Hour Act compliance.

Karl has served as lead counsel and class counsel in numerous matters where substantial settlements or arbitration awards were secured for North Carolina consumers. He practices in state and federal courts in North Carolina, in arbitrations, and before state and federal administrative agencies, including the Department of Labor.

Karl gains the most satisfaction in the time he spends building relationships and solving the problems of his clients, through litigation or alternate methods. He takes great pride in standing up to the largest corporations and law firms in the world on behalf of his clients.

Karl is a member of the National Association of Consumer Advocates, the North Carolina Advocates for Justice, and the North Carolina Bar Association. Karl was named to the Super Lawyers’ Rising Stars list as one of the top up-and-coming attorneys in North Carolina from 2017-2021. He was selected a Super Lawyer from 2022-2024. Karl has presented several CLE topics on various topics, including mass arbitrations. He is currently serving as Vice-Chair of the North Carolina Advocates for Justice Products Liability, Class Action and Mass Torts section.

When not practicing law, Karl can generally be found in the woods or lounging on a beach with his wife, Angela, and their three children, Claire, Lena, and Bennett. Karl and his family love sailing, hiking and camping, traveling, fishing, listening to live music, and are active members of their church.

Karl has been approved as class counsel in the following cases:

  • Vicki Powers and Matthew Watkins v. Hospitality Ventures Management, LLC, Guilford County Superior Court, Case No. 21-cvs-4489;
  • Stewart v. Southwood Realty Company, Cumberland County Superior Court, Case No. 18-CVS-6090; 
  • Koepplinger et al. v. Seterus, Inc., Middle District of North Carolina, Case. No. 1:17-cv-995; 
  • Lewis et al. v. Bridge Property Management, LLC et al., Wake County Superior Court, Case No. 18-CVS-9565; 
  • Hargrove v. Grubb Management, Inc. et al., Wake County Superior Court, Case No.  17-CVS-7995; 
  • Rush v. The NRP Group LLC, Middle District of North Carolina, Case No. 1:18-cv-886; 
  • Hamilton v. Arcan Capital, LLC et al., Forsyth Count Superior Court, Case No. 18-CVS-1624; 
  • Suarez v. Camden Development, Inc. et al.; Eastern District of North Carolina, Case Nos. 5:17-cv-124-D and 5:18-cv-455-D; 
  • Milroy et al. v. Bell Partners Inc. et al.; Eastern District of North Carolina, Case No. 5:18-cv-516;
  • Davis v. RAM Partners, LLC; Middle District of North Carolina; Case No. 1:19-cv-349; 
  • Hampton v. KPM et al., Eastern District of North Carolina, Case No. 5:18-cv-485;
  • Brogden v. Kenney Properties, Inc. et al., Wake County Superior Court, Case No. 18-CVS-10880;
  • Williams v. Pegasus Residential, LLC; Middle District of North Carolina, Case No. 1:18-cv-1030;
  • Medina v. Westdale et al., Eastern District of North Carolina, Case No. 5:19-cv-142;
  • Talley et al. v. Lincoln Property Company, Eastern District of North Carolina, Case No. 5:18-cv-550;
  • McCord v. PRG Real Estate Mgmt, Inc. et al., Middle District of North Carolina, Case No. 1:20-cv-854;
  • Rowland et al. v. Mid-America Apartments, LP et al., Middle District of North Carolina, Case No. 1:18-cv-43;
  • Barnhill v. First Point Collection Resources, Inc., Middle District of North Carolina, Case No. 15-cv-892.
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