Pinna Johnston & Burwell

Pinna Johnston & Burwell has been protecting property owners from excessive tax assessments across North Carolina for more than 15 years. Our attorneys combine deep legal expertise with practical knowledge of local assessment practices to deliver results that matter to your bottom line. We've handled everything from routine residential appeals to complex commercial disputes involving millions in assessed value. Our approach focuses on building strong, evidence-based cases that assessors and review boards can't ignore. We understand that property tax appeals aren't just about numbers—they're about ensuring fair treatment under the law. Our clients benefit from our relationships with assessors throughout the Triangle region and our reputation for thorough, professional case preparation that often leads to settlements without formal hearings.

We provide comprehensive property tax appeal services for residential and commercial clients throughout North Carolina. Our residential services include assessment appeals for single-family homes, condominiums, townhomes, and rental properties. We handle everything from routine valuation disputes to complex cases involving unique properties, environmental issues, or assessment methodology errors. For commercial clients, we manage appeals involving office buildings, retail centers, industrial facilities, warehouses, and special-use properties like medical facilities and automotive dealerships. Our commercial practice includes sophisticated valuation challenges, income approach disputes, and appeals involving partial interests or encumbered properties. Beyond individual appeals, we provide ongoing tax consulting services including assessment monitoring, purchase consultation, and strategic planning for property improvements or developments. We also handle administrative appeals, superior court challenges, and represent clients before the North Carolina Property Tax Commission when cases require escalation beyond county-level proceedings.

We begin with a detailed case evaluation to assess your appeal prospects and explain potential outcomes. Our legal team reviews your assessment documentation, property records, and relevant market data to determine the strongest arguments for your case. If we accept your case, we conduct comprehensive legal and market research, gather supporting evidence, and prepare formal appeal documentation. We handle all interactions with county assessors and represent you at hearings or settlement conferences. Our legal approach often enables faster resolution through professional negotiations with county attorneys and assessors. When formal hearings are necessary, you benefit from our courtroom experience and understanding of administrative law procedures. We keep you informed throughout the process and explain each step in clear, practical terms.

We serve clients throughout North Carolina with primary focus on Wake, Durham, Orange, and surrounding Triangle counties. Our attorneys are licensed to practice before all North Carolina courts and administrative bodies, allowing us to handle appeals at any level of the process. Our statewide practice gives us insight into assessment practices across different counties and jurisdictions. This broader perspective often benefits clients dealing with properties in multiple counties or complex situations requiring knowledge of statewide assessment standards and legal precedents.