Crista Cuccaro Joins Law and Finance Faculty as Procurement and Contracting Expert

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The UNC School of Government is excited to welcome the newest addition to its faculty ranks. Crista M. Cuccaro joined the School’s Law and Finance division in June 2022 as teaching assistant professor of public law and government. In this role, she will focus her expertise on legal and ethical issues related to local government procurement and contracting, and property disposal.

Cuccaro will take over teaching and advising in these local government law fields from fellow faculty member Connor Crews. Crews will transition his expertise moving forward to focus on selected topics in local government finance law.

Cuccaro’s legal career has been dedicated to public service. Before joining the School’s faculty, Cuccaro served as senior assistant city attorney for the City of Durham and as a staff attorney with the City of Knoxville, Tennessee. Now at the School, Cuccaro is eager to expand upon her service footprint.

“I have witnessed firsthand the positive impact that local governments can have in our communities,” she said. “The opportunity to support the efforts of local governments across North Carolina is extremely motivating and meaningful to me.”

As local governments continue to navigate the defining challenges of the present—including supply chain disruptions and labor shortages—Cuccaro is eager to leverage her purchasing expertise to ensure public officials make sound decisions that reduce these burdens for the communities in which they serve.

“Advising local governments on procurement and contracting allows me to use my legal knowledge and practical experience to help officials leverage public dollars in the most efficient and economical ways possible, thereby benefiting taxpayers,” Cuccaro said. “I look forward to collaborating with local governments to develop creative solutions in the procurement and contracting arena.”

Equipping local officials to build a relationship of trust with their communities has been a cornerstone of the School’s legacy for more than 90 years. It is a relationship Cuccaro has every intention of strengthening throughout her tenure.

“I’m excited and honored to join the ranks at the School and carry on the tradition of providing non-partisan, in-depth legal guidance, education, and resources to the diverse local governments in North Carolina.”

Cuccaro received her bachelor’s degree from UNC-Chapel Hill and her J.D. from the University of Tennessee.