PROFESSIONAL PROFILE
Fayetteville attorney Susan R. Benoit is the supervising partner with Hutchens Law Firm for the Real Estate and REO (Real Estate Owned property) Department. She started her real estate law career many years ago by working in many of the different roles involved in a real estate transaction: law office processing, title searcher, as a post closer at a mortgage origination firm, and finally as a title insurance underwriter with a local title agency before arriving at the firm.
Susan began in a busy real estate law office as a receptionist and quickly moved into the closing world as a transaction processor, working on refinances, purchases and constructions loans. To make sure she understood all aspects of her client’s needs she moved from processing to title examination within the firm, later transferring to another firm where she managed the Real Estate practice.
A military spouse, Susan followed her husband out of state where she found employment at a mortgage originating office. There she learned about originating mortgage loans - processing, underwriting, and preparing loans for purchase by larger lenders. When the military brought her family back to Fayetteville, Susan joined a title agency where, as a licensed title insurance underwriter, she learned the title insurance implications of real property transactions. Feeling she had a solid understanding of real estate transactions, Susan headed for law school. She has put all of her experience to work growing Hutchens Law Firm’s real estate transaction practice. Since joining the firm, she has overseen the tremendous growth in the real estate department in both the number of closings the firm handles each year and the number of local closing offices.
Susan is actively involved with the Mortgage Bankers Association of Fayetteville, Longleaf Pine REALTORS®, Inc. (formerly Fayetteville Regional Association of REALTORS®), and the Home Builders Association of Fayetteville. She has been on the Planning Committee for the Fayetteville Walk to End Alzheimer’s for several years and continues to work with the organization every year. She also serves on the Paralegal Advisory Board for Fayetteville Technical Community College. Susan still spends her free time with her high school sweetheart and their 7 grandchildren.
EDUCATION:
Juris Doctor degree from Campbell University Norman Adrian Wiggins School of Law (2004)
Undergraduate degree from Campbell University Norman Adrian Wiggins School of Law (2001)
ADMISSIONS:
North Carolina State Bar (2004)
MEMBERSHIPS AND AFFILIATIONS:
Cumberland County Bar Association (present)
North Carolina Bar Association | Real Property Section (present)
Fayetteville Technical Community College - Paralegal Technology | Advisory Committee (2020)
Cumberland County Paralegal Association (1992-2001)
Mortgage Bankers Association of Fayetteville | Board of Directors (2010-2015)
North Carolina Electronic Mortgage Closing Advisory Committee | Appointed by NC Secretary of State (2020-present)
AWARDS AND RECOGNITIONS:
Selected* by her peers for inclusion in The Best Lawyers in America© - Real Estate Law (2019-present) [*about the selection process]
Awarded the Past President’s Award by the Mortgage Banker’s Association of Fayetteville
*
MARTINDALE HUBBELL RATING:
For information on Martindale-Hubbell's review process, click the above logo to visit their methodology page.
REVIEWS:
"Coldwell Banker Advantage values the relationship that we have with Attorney Susan Benoit and Hutchens Law Firm. Susan and her firm are always prepared and accessible. Our agents, buyers, and sellers appreciate the attention to detail that is provided from an initial contact to closing. Our clients count on us, and we count on Hutchens Law Firm.
-Alan Tucker, Broker, Coldwell Banker Advantage
"Attorney Susan Benoit and her team atHutchens Law Firm go beyond the call of duty to ensure that our closings are timely and accurate. They deal with our clients in a VERY professional manner and treat them as they would want to be treated. On behalf of our clients, thanks for a job well done!!"
-Gary Cooper, Carolina Mortgage
"I have been using Susan Benoit and Hutchens Law Firm to close my real estate transaction for over 3 years. The transactions are always handled in a timely manner. Her staff is extremely courteous and efficient, and they always go the extra mile to make sure everything goes smoothly. I would highly recommend Ms. Benoit and her firm if you are need of a good real estate attorney.”
-Suzanne Pennink,Owner/Broker, Coldwell Banker Advantage
NOTE: The cases and clients mentioned on this site are illustrative of the matters handled by the firm. Case results depend upon a variety of factors unique to each case. Not all results are provided. Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome.