EDWARD J. 'NED' McNAUGHTON is an equity member of the firm McNaughton & Shelton, PLLC. He is admitted to practice law in both North Carolina and Georgia. Law is a second career for Mr. McNaughton. Before attending law school, Ned worked as material logistics coordinator for a national construction equipment manufacturer. In that role, Ned managed and coordinated an entire shop floor containing six separate lines of construction equipment. Ned also managed a Toys R Us store and a regional record/tape/CD distribution center. He also served in the United States Marine Corps. His real world experience allows him to better understand and represent his client's needs and expectations.

Ned graduated cum laude from the University of Mississippi (Ole Miss) School of Law. He joined the Lamar Society of International Law and served on the Journal of National Security Law staff. While at Ole Miss, Ned was listed twice in Who's Who: American Law Students. Ned received his bachelor's degree summa cum laude from Christian Brothers University, School of Business, in Memphis, Tennessee, where he was awarded Delta Sigma Pi Scholarship Key, the School of Business' highest possible honors. While at Christian Brothers, Ned managed to simultaneously earn an associate's degree in Productivity and Quality Control (TQM) from the State Technical Institute at Memphis, once again graduating at the top of his class.

Ned is a member of the American Bar Association, the North Carolina Bar Association, the Mecklenburg County Bar Association, the Georgia Bar Association and the State Bars of Georgia and North Carolina. He is an active member of the ABA Forum on the Construction Law Section and NCBA Litigation Section, the American Subcontractors Association of the Carolinas, the Associated Builders and Contractors, the North Carolina Utility Contractors Association, and the Carolinas Historic Aviation Commission. He has represented clients in both state and federal courts in North Carolina, Georgia, Virginia (pro hac vice) and South Carolina (pro hac vice), including oral argument before the Eleventh Circuit. Ned represents clients in both private and government contract cases.

Ned is a frequent seminar speaker at various trade associations on subjects such as "The Top Ten Profit Eating Contract Clauses," "Oops! I Didn't Notice That- The Importance of Notice requirements in North Carolina Construction Claims," and "The North Carolina [2006] Lien Law Changes." Ned has also authored articles on construction law issues and was a chapter editor on the Second Edition of Common Sense Construction Law.

Ned began his legal career with the Atlanta, Georgia construction law firm of Smith, Currie & Hancock, LLP. In 2000, he moved to Charlotte, North Carolina to help the firm start their North Carolina office. Ned started his own practice in 2004, which he operated as sole equity member until forming McNaughton & Shelton, PLLC with Gregory L. Shelton in August 2007.