Noell Tin

Noell P. Tin cites the opportunity to champion the cause of the individual targeted by the government as the source of his tireless professional commitment. Since he started practice in 1994, Noell has represented clients in over 50 North Carolina counties and the three federal districts in North Carolina, as well as federal courts in New York, Florida, Virginia, South Carolina and New Mexico. He has successfully defended clients in state and federal jury trials and secured impressive victories in the North Carolina Court of Appeals and the United States Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit. Noell has also successfully petitioned the United States Supreme Court and obtained summary reversals of lower court decisions three times.

Noell’s cases—which have attracted media coverage by The Charlotte Observer, The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, ABC News’ 20/20 and CBS’ Sixty Minutes—include:

• The exoneration of a man falsely imprisoned for 11 years for a murder he did not commit. Read more
• A not guilty verdict for a public official facing federal environmental charges. Read more
• A not guilty verdict for a bail bondsman facing federal conspiracy and money laundering charges. Read more
• The release of a man falsely imprisoned for 14 years on child molestation charges. Read more
• The defense of the county manager of one of North Carolina’s most populous counties on public corruption charges. Read More
• The reversal of convictions and sentences in a multi-defendant case in which federal prosecutors alleged a 25 year conspiracy to distribute narcotics. Read more
• A not guilty verdict for a former town official on public corruption charges. Read more
• A not guilty verdict for an educator falsely accused of molesting students. Article 1 | Article 2
• The reversal of animal cruelty convictions, followed by dismissal of all charges and the return of animals to the client.  Read more
• A voluntary dismissal of homicide charges on the eve of trial. Read more
• A successful petition to the United States Supreme Court resulting in a summary reversal of the lower court and a twelve year reduction in the client’s sentence.  Read more
• The defense of the lead defendant in the Loomis Fargo heist, the third largest cash robbery in U. S. history. Read more

In addition to trial work, a significant portion of Noell’s practice involves representing people and businesses implicated in “white collar” regulatory and criminal investigations involving securities, health care, and banking. In 2024, Best Lawyers in America named him Lawyer of the Year in white collar criminal defense in Charlotte. 

In addition, Noell has long been recognized by Best Lawyers in America in the areas of white collar and non-white collar criminal defense, Business North Carolina’s Legal Elite, Super Lawyers, and as one of the top 100 trial attorneys in North Carolina. He has maintained an AV rating from Martindale Hubbell, the highest possible for legal ability and ethical standards, from 2003 to the present. He is also a senior fellow in the Litigation Counsel of America, an honorary society for trial lawyers.

Noell has served on numerous non-profit boards of directors. He is past co-president of the Mecklenburg County Criminal Defense Lawyers Association and has served on two Merit Selection Committees responsible for selecting finalists for United States Magistrate Judge positions in the Western District of North Carolina.

Noell is married to retired Mecklenburg County district court judge Becky Thorne Tin.

Education

Northeastern University School of Law, J.D., 1993

Miami University, B.A., 1990

Bar & Court Admissions

North Carolina

U.S. District Court, Western District of North Carolina

U.S. District Court, Middle District of North Carolina

U.S. District Court, Eastern District of North Carolina

U.S. District Court, Northern District of Florida

U.S. Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit

U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit

U.S. Supreme Court

Areas of Practice

Criminal Defense

Professional Liability

White Collar Defense

Awards & Honors

Lawyer of the Year 2024 - Criminal Defense: White-Collar

AV® Preeminent Rating from Martindale–Hubbell (2003-present)

Best Lawyers in America (2010-Present)

Super Lawyers (2008-Present)

Business North Carolina’s Legal Elite (2006-2009, 2011, 2013-present)

Top 100 Trial Lawyers in North Carolina

Seminars

The Prosecution, the Defense and Ethics, North Carolina Bar Association (2022)

Speaking About Race to Juries, North Carolina Advocates for Justice (2021)

Cross-Examination, Mecklenburg County Bar All-Star Trial Advocacy (2020)

Avoiding Ethical Landmines in Criminal Cases During an Economic Recession, North Carolina Bar Association (2009)

Judicial Independence, Charlotte School of Law Spring Symposium (2009)

Eyewitness Identification Act: Cross-Examination Techniques, Public Defenders Conference (2008)

The Present State of Legal Ethics, Charlotte School of Law Ethics Symposium (2008)

Fingerprint Identification, Public Defender Conference (2005)

Associations

Mecklenburg Country Criminal Defense Lawyers Association

National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers

Mecklenburg County Bar: Judicial Nominating Committee

Senior Fellow, Litigation Counsel of America.