J. Hunter Bryson

Partner

Mr. Bryson is a Partner with Milberg’s Consumer Products Group and focuses on standing up for consumers who have been subject to consumer fraud across the United States. Since joining the firm in 2016, he has been involved in high stakes litigation that has resulted in securing settlements for thousands of individuals. No one case is too big or too small, as consumer fraud happens at varying levels.

To date, at the age of 33, Mr. Bryson has recovered over $168 million for aggrieved individuals as Court Appointed Class Counsel in state and federal court. These results have been secured often after lengthy litigation with defendants that have considerable resources and a “scorched earth” mentality in litigation. Mr. Bryson has argued dispositive motions, preliminary and final settlement approval motions, and engaged in discovery at all levels and sizes.

For his first six years of practice, Mr. Bryson worked exclusively with his father and founding partner of Milberg, Daniel K. Bryson. Under his mentorship, Mr. Bryson gained considerable experience in state court and federal court, specifically in the areas of municipal law, mislabeled food and supplement products, and a variety of other consumer products ranging from automobiles to vitamins.

Mr. Bryson earned his law degree from Campbell University School of Law in 2016. During his time at Campbell, he was an Honor Court Justice, group leader for the peer mentor program for 1L students, and a participant in the Campbell Law Connections program.

When he is not working, Mr. Bryson is an avid marathon runner alongside his brother and father. With his brother and father, he has run two full marathons and over half a dozen half marathons. Mr. Bryson also enjoys golfing, skiing, and traveling with family and friends. He has spent considerable time in South America, Europe, Asia, and Africa.

Notable Cases

Unlawful Municipal Fee Cases

  • Court appointed Class Counsel in Deadalus, LLC v. City of Charlotte, Mecklenburg County, No. 18-cvs-21073 & No. 21-cvs-6952 – Class action settlement with a $106,000,000 fund for builders and developers over improper capacity fees paid to the City of Charlotte (2023)
  • Court appointed Class Counsel in Plantation Building of Wilmington, Inc., et al. v. Brunswick County, File No. 19-CVS-647 (Brunswick County) – Class action settlement with a $15,250,000 fund for builders and developers to recover improper impact fees paid to the city (2022)
  • Court appointed Class Counsel in Upright Builders Inc. et al. v. Town of Apex, No. 18-CVS-3720 & 18-CVS-4384, (Wake Co., NC) – Class action settlement with a $15,300,000 fund for builders and developers to recover improper capacity replacement and transportation paid fees to the town (2019)
  • Court appointed Class Counsel in Town of Holly Springs, No. 17-CVS-6244, 17-cvs-6245, 18-CVS-1373 (Wake Co., NC) – Class action settlement with a $7,900,000 fund for builders and developers to recover improper capacity replacement and transportation fees paid to the town (2019)
  • Court appointed Class Counsel in Meritage Homes of the Carolinas, Inc. v. Town of Holly Springs, Wake County, No. 20-cvs-14511 – Class action settlement with a $7,500,000 fund for builders and developers over improper recreation fees in lieu paid to the Town of Holly Springs (2023)
  • Court appointed Class Counsel in Plantation Building of Wilmington, Inc. v. Town of Leland, Brunswick County 18-CVS-1722 (Brunswick County) – Class action settlement with a $6,148,644.80 fund for builders and developers to recover improper impact fees paid to the city (2022)
  • Court appointed Class Counsel in Shenandoah Homes, LLC v. Town of Clayton, No. 19-cvs-640 (Johnston County) – Class action settlement with a $2,700,000 fund for builders and developers to recover improper impact fees paid to the town (2020)
  • Court appointed Class Counsel in Granite Land and Timber, LLC v. Town of Clayton, No. 20-cvs-2903 (Johnston County) – Class action settlement with a $2,475,000 fund for builders and developers to recover improper recreation fees paid to the town (2023)
  • Court appointed Class Counsel in Mayfair Partners, LLC et al. v. City of Asheville, No. 18-cvs-04870 (Buncombe County) – Class action settlement with a $1,850,000 fund for builders and developers to recover improper impact fees paid to the city (2020)
  • Court appointed Class Counsel in Eastwood Construction, LLC et. al v. City of Monroe, Union County file nos. 18-CVS-2692 (Union County) – Class action settlement with a $1,750,000 fund for builders and developers to recover improper impact fees paid to the city (2020)
  • Court appointed Class Counsel in Larry Shaheen v. City of Belmont, No. 17-cvs-394 (Gaston Co., NC) – Class action settlement with a $1,650,000 fund for builders and developers to recover improper capacity replacement and transportation fees paid to the city (2019)
  • Court appointed Class Counsel in Kidd Construction Group et. al v. Greenville Utilities Commission, Pitt County 18-CVS-2376 (Pitt County) – Class action settlement with a $1,557,000 fund for builders and developers to recover improper impact fees paid to the city (2020)
  • Court appointed Class Counsel in Stier Construction Company, Inc. v. Town of Carolina Beach, New Hanover County 19-CVS-2999 (New Hanover County) – Class action settlement with a $850,000 fund for builders and developers to recover improper impact fees paid to the city (2020)
  • Court appointed Class Counsel in Brookline Homes LLC v. City of Mount Holly, Gaston County file no. 19-cvs-1163 (Gaston County) – Class action settlement with a $483,468 fund for builders and developers to recover improper impact fees paid to the city (2020)
  • Court appointed Class Counsel in Plantation Building of Wilmington, Inc. v. City of Southport, Brunswick County 19-CVS-648 (Brunswick County) – Class action settlement with a $310,000 fund for builders and developers to recover improper impact fees paid to the city (2020)

Mislabeled Product Cases

  • Court appointed Class Counsel in Nicole Dickens, et al. v. Thinx Inc., Case No. 1:22-cv-04286-JMF (SDNY) which involved a nationwide settlement of allegedly mislabeled women’s menstrual underwear which resulted in a $1,400,000 fee awarded to Class Counsel
  • Court appointed Class Counsel in Shaw et al v. Costco Wholesale Corporation et al, 2:20-cv-01620-RAJ (W.D.WA) which involved a nationwide settlement of allegedly mislabeled petfood – Mr. Bryson handled the final approval hearing which resulted in a $1,200,000 fee awarded to Class Counsel
  • Court appointed Class Counsel in Hill v. Canidae Corp., EDCV201374JGBSPX, (C.D. Cal. Sept. 28, 2021) which involved a nationwide settlement of allegedly mislabeled petfood – Mr. Bryson handled the final approval hearing which resulted in a $953,740 fee awarded to Class Counsel
  • Court appointed Class Counsel in Gifford et. al v. Pets Global Inc. 2:21-cv-02136-CJC-MRW, (C.D. Cal.) which involved a nationwide settlement of allegedly mislabeled petfood – Mr. Bryson handled the final approval hearing which resulted in a $405,960 fee awarded to Class Counsel

Education

  • J.D., Campbell University School of Law, 2016
  • B.S., University of North Carolina – Chapel Hill, 2012

Bar Admissions

  • North Carolina
  • United States District Court for the Eastern District of North Carolina

Awards

  • North Carolina Super Lawyers, Rising Star, 2021-2024

Professional Activities

  • Wake County Bar Association
  • North Carolina Bar Association
  • North Carolina Advocates for Justice
  • American Association for Justice
  • Public Justice Foundation
  • SAFEchild, Young Ambassadors Member