Overview
Ty Shaffer draws on nearly two decades of broad commercial law experience to advise a diverse array of clients. Today, his practice primarily focuses on real estate development and finance, working with developers and investors on the purchase, financing, development and sale of commercial real property. Ty also has experience representing clients before governing and planning boards in land use and zoning matters.
Ty began his career at Robinson Bradshaw as a litigator, and his transactional practice continues to be informed by his experience representing litigants in a range of complex commercial disputes, real estate disputes, eminent domain matters, land use litigation, and bankruptcy and creditors’ rights matters.
Experience
Real Estate Development & Finance
- Represents a developer in the acquisition of sites across the Southeast for development of self-storage facilities and in related financing transactions.
- Represents a private investment fund and its portfolio companies in real estate matters arising in connection with equity and debt investments and add-on acquisition growth.
- Represents a client in financing transactions for the acquisition of student housing developments.
- Represents a developer in the development and sale of build-to-suit retail stores across the country, including the negotiation of leases with national retailers.
Land Use & Zoning
- Represented an outdoor advertising company before the Charlotte Zoning Board of Adjustment and obtained a decision upholding the zoning administrator’s interpretation of the Charlotte Zoning Ordinance to permit the company to rebuild an existing outdoor advertising sign. When a competitor filed an action in Mecklenburg County Superior Court challenging and attempting to overturn the ZBA’s decision, obtained an order from the court upholding the ZBA’s decision allowing the company to rebuild the existing sign. Adams Outdoor Advertising Ltd Partnership v. City of Charlotte, et al., 18-CVS-18758 (Mecklenburg County Superior Court).
- Represented a nonprofit affordable housing developer before the North Carolina Court of Appeals and obtained an order affirming the trial court's order that a conditional use permit be granted to the developer. Affordable Housing Group of North Carolina v. Town of Mooresville, 2012 WL 4880833 (slip op.) (N.C. App. Ct. Oct. 16, 2012).
Condemnation & Real Estate Disputes
- Represented a property owner in a condemnation arising out of a road project in Salisbury, North Carolina. The Department of Transportation deposited $175,000 as its estimate of just compensation. The case settled by consent judgment for $1.15 million. Department of Transportation v. Liberty Healthcare Properties of North Carolina LLC, 13-CVS-1148 (Rowan County Superior Court).
Litigation
- Represented a manufacturer defending mass tort claims in bankruptcy in adversary proceedings brought against asbestos plaintiffs' law firms alleging conspiracy, fraud and violations of the RICO Act.
Nonprofit Organizations & Foundations
- Represented Men’s Shelter of Charlotte during its merger with the city’s Urban Ministry Center.
Accolades
Honors & Recognitions
- The Best Lawyers in America, real estate law, 2021-26; commercial litigation, 2022-26; litigation - land use and zoning, 2024-26; litigation - real estate, 2024-26; land use and zoning, 2025-26
- North Carolina Pro Bono Honor Society, 2022
- North Carolina Super Lawyers, Rising Star, business litigation, 2014-18
- Benchmark Litigation, Top Litigator Under 40, 2017
Affiliations
Professional Affiliations
- Mecklenburg Bar Foundation, Ayscue Professionalism Award Committee, 2025-28
- Mecklenburg Bar Foundation, Nominating Committee, 2025
- Mecklenburg Bar Foundation, McMillan Fellowship Fund Committee, 2019-21
- Mecklenburg Bar Foundation, Law & Society Committee, 2016-19; Chair, 2018-19
- Mecklenburg Bar Association, Continuing Legal Education Committee, 2013-16, 2025-28
- Mecklenburg Bar Association, Bar Leadership Institute, Class of 2013
Community Affiliations
- Leadership Charlotte, Class 43
- Carolina Raptor Center, Board of Directors, 2019-25; Vice Chair, 2024-25
- Arts & Science Council, Cultural Leadership Training, 2018-19
- UNC Charlotte, J. Murrey Atkins Library Board of Advisors, 2017-19
- United Way of Central Carolinas, Young Leaders Council, 2015-17
News & Events
News
Events
Practice Areas
Education
Vanderbilt University, J.D., 2008; Symposium Editor, Vanderbilt Law Review
Indiana University, M.A., 2005
Florida State University, M.A., 2001
Centre College, B.A., 2000
Bar Admissions
- North Carolina