News

Nominations Accepted for NCADA Board of Directors & Practice Group Leadership

The terms of five current members of the NCADA Board of Directors will expire in June 2025. Nominations for the five vacant Director positions are now being accepted to serve a three year term beginning at the close of the 2025 Annual Meeting through the close of the 2028 Annual Meeting.

Director’s responsibilities include:

• Regular attendance and participation at quarterly meetings of the Board.
• Membership recruitment and retention.
• Contributing and participating in Association programs and services.
• Authoring or securing contributions to The Resource
• Other individual responsibilities as required.

To qualify for a position on the NCADA Board of Directors, the nominee should

• Be a member in good standing with the North Carolina State Bar and the North Carolina Association of Defense Attorneys; and
• Shown commitment and support of the NCADA through regular attendance at the NCADA's Annual Meeting, other programs and activities.

Leadership opportunities in the NCADA’s Practice Groups are open for nominations. Members interested in the continued growth and relevance of the NCADA through its practice groups will be considered for leadership positions in the following areas of practice: Construction, Commercial, Employment, General Liability, Government, Medical Malpractice, Product Liability and Workers’ Compensation.

The following information should be included in the nomination:

1) Member Name, Firm, contact information and a brief biographical sketch.

2) Brief statement by the nominee of his or her availability and commitment to actively serve as a member of the Board, or as a practice group leader.

3) Brief statement why nominee would like to serve as a member of the Board of Directors, or as a practice group leader.

Persons interested in submitting a nomination may E mail the Nominating Committee in care of Lynette Pitt, Executive Director (E mail: lynettepitt@ncada.org.)

Nominations must be received no later than Friday, March 28, 2025, 5 p.m.

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Recognize a colleague, mentor or peer you hold in high esteem for the J. Robert Elster Award for Professional Excellence and the Award for Excellence in Trial Advocacy this year.

Present and past members of the NC Association of Defense Attorneys are eligible for consideration as a possible recipient for one of these awards. Recipients will be recognized during the 2025 Annual Meeting during the weekend of June 12-15.

Deadline for submission is Friday, March 28, 2025. Your letter of nomination should be addressed to Gary Parsons, Chair, Awards Committee, c/o Lynette Pitt, Executive Director, NCADA, by email.

Learn more about the J. Robert Elster Award for Professional Excellence and the Award for Excellence in Trial Advocacy and make a nomination today.

A list of Past Recipients may be found here.

L. P. "Tony" Hornthal, Jr.
1936-2025

We extend our deepest condolences to the family and colleagues of L.P. "Tony" Hornthal, Jr., who passed away on Friday, February 7th, in Elizabeth City. Mr. Hornthal was a distinguished trial lawyer whose career spanned several decades practicing at Hornthal, Riley, Ellis & Maland, LLP in Elizabeth City until his retirement in 2019.

Tony was not only a respected figure in the legal field but also a founding member and former president (1984-1985) of the North Carolina Association of Defense Attorneys (NCADA). His professional leadership included service as a president of the North Carolina Bar Association, his role on the Board of Directors for the Lawyers Mutual Insurance Company, and as a Fellow in the American College of Trial Lawyers. His outstanding contributions to the legal profession were acknowledged through several prestigious awards, including the NCADA’s J. Robert Elster Award for Professional Excellence, the NCSB John B. McMillan Distinguished Service Award, and the establishment of an NCBA Justice Fund in his name. A graduate of the University of North Carolina and its School of Law, Tony's legacy in legal profession is profound and enduring.

John Willardson, a fellow NCADA member and past president from Wilkesboro, remarked, "Tony meant so much to the NCADA, to the NCBA, and to our legal profession. He was a gentleman, a great lawyer, and an even better person. Tony was the embodiment of what every lawyer should aspire to be. He will be missed but will live on in our memories and in our hearts."

A memorial service will be held at 11 a.m. on Tuesday, February 11th, at Christ Episcopal Church in Elizabeth City. For further details, please refer to the full obituary.

Related:  Firmly Connected Thru Family

Dear NCADA Friends and Colleagues,

We hope this message finds you safe and well. Our thoughts and deepest sympathies go out to those who have been affected by Hurricane Helene, particularly our members and their families - some of whom are still facing the challenges of being without water, power or access to their home. The impact of this storm on our State has been significant, and our hearts are with everyone who is struggling to rebuild.

As an organization, we are committed to supporting our members and the broader communities during this difficult time. To assist with recovery efforts, the NCADA is making a donation on behalf of our membership to support legal services and other critical needs in the affected areas. We recognize that the aftermath of such a disaster can bring numerous legal needs for those affected, and our aim is to help address those needs wherever we can. To accomplish this, the NCADA is starting with a $5,000 donation that will directly go to assisting the community with legal services.

In addition, we are organizing a day of service where our members will have the opportunity to volunteer their legal expertise to support residents of Western North Carolina. This initiative will focus on providing assistance with legal issues that do not present conflicts of interest for our members or their firms. We hope this effort will bring some relief to those navigating the complex legal matters that arise during recovery. Stay tuned on dates.

We will share more details soon about how you can participate in the day of service and other ways to contribute to our support efforts. Many of our member law firms have been engaged in supply-gathering or performing work in Western North Carolina. To those firms and individuals we say “thank you”.

Thank you for your continued commitment to our community and for demonstrating the resilience and compassion that define our profession.

On behalf of the Board of Directors,

Sincerely,

J.D. Keister
President 

North Carolina Association of Defense Attorneys (NCADA) endorses the following candidates seeking seats on the North Carolina Supreme Court and Court of Appeals:

For Associate Justice of the North Carolina Supreme Court for

Seat 6: Jefferson Griffin for election to the Court.

For Judge of the North Carolina Court of Appeals, 

For Seat 12: Carolyn J. Thompson for election to the Court

For Seat 14: Valerie Zachary for re-election to the Court.

For Seat 15: No Endorsement

The NCADA’s Judicial Endorsement Committee made the decision to endorse each judicial candidate based on the following criteria:

• Substantial legal experience in and demonstrated understanding of civil litigation and issues recurrent in defense of claims;
• A willingness to impartially apply the statutory law and rules as written and the common law, including the application of affirmative defenses, and the granting of dispositive motions when warranted;
• A recognition of the legislature's exclusive role to enact statutes and the Court’s role in interpreting existing common law and statutes in a fair, consistent and predictable manner with respect for prior court rulings as compelled by stare decisis;
• Exemplifying a high level of independence and integrity in applying the law impartially and in compliance with judicial standards and the Rules of Professional Conduct.

The North Carolina Association of Defense Attorneys is a professional association for lawyers and paralegals defending the interests of individuals and businesses in civil litigation. Current membership stands at over 650 attorneys and paralegals from across the State.

For more information about the NCADA, please contact the Association office at 919-239-4463.

The North Carolina Association of Defense Attorneys (NCADA) announced the recipients of its highest honors this year on Friday, June 13th during the 47th Annual Meeting in Asheville.  This year, the J. Robert Elster Award for Professional Excellence was awarded to Kent L. Hamrick, and Isaac N. Northup, Jr. was awarded the Award for Excellence in Trial Advocacy.

Kent L. Hamrick, a partner at Davis & Hamrick in Winston-Salem, has long been recognized for his commitment to the highest standards of professionalism, integrity, and ethics. These traits, alongside his contributions to the organized Bar and community, underscored his selection for the J. Robert Elster Award. Lee Davis, his long-time law partner, commended Kent during the award presentation, emphasizing that "Kent is the epitome of professionalism and integrity." With a legal career spanning over thirty years, Kent distinguished himself in various litigation fields, including insurance defense, professional defense, and construction, and has tried over a hundred jury trials to verdicts in North Carolina. Kent has demonstrated unwavering dedication to justice and the legal profession.

Isaac "Ike" N. Northup, Jr. was recognized with the Award for Excellence in Trial Advocacy for his exceptional skills and advocacy for clients in state and federal courtrooms. As a partner at Hall Booth & Smith, with offices in Asheville and Denver, Ike has carved a niche in medical malpractice defense litigation, tackling complex cases involving catastrophic injuries and birth injuries, among others. His colleague, Adam Peoples, praised Ike's ability to engage jurors and create compelling narratives, highlighting his "encyclopedic knowledge of medicine." During Ike's career, spanning over four decades, he has tried in excess of 75 medical malpractice trials to jury verdict and has also tried multiple other cases involving will caveats, theft of trade secrets, arson, fraudulent lending and a host of automobile and general liability cases.

The NCADA's annual awards shine a light on the remarkable achievements of North Carolina's civil defense trial attorneys who not only excel in their profession but also contribute significantly to the development of the legal community and society. The J. Robert Elster Award for Professional Excellence and the Award for Excellence in Trial Advocacy reflect the NCADA's commitment to fostering a culture of excellence and integrity within the legal profession.

Please join us in extending heartfelt congratulations to Kent L. Hamrick and Isaac N. Northup, Jr. for their outstanding achievements and their profound impact on the legal profession and the broader community.

The North Carolina Association of Defense Attorneys (NCADA) is pleased to announce the election of its new leadership at its 47th Annual Meeting from June 13-16, 2024.

JD Keister has been confirmed as the 47th President of NCADA. Keister, with his practice at McAngus Goudelock & Courie, LLP in Raleigh, specializes in civil and complex litigation including construction and insurance defense. He graduated from Ohio Northern University Pettit College of Law.

George Simpson, IV, founder of Simpson Law, PLLC in Raleigh, steps into the role of President-Elect. Simpson, a UNC and UNC Law School alumnus, chaired the latest annual meeting seminar, focusing on AI in litigation and mental wellness.

Christopher R. Kiger transitions to Immediate Past President after his term. A partner at Smith Anderson, LLP, Kiger's practice focuses on products liability, mass tort, and commercial litigation.

Erin McNeil Young has been elected as Executive Vice President, setting her up for the presidency in 2026-2027. With 23 years of experience, Young currently manages litigation for Extended Stay Americas and is a UNC School of Law graduate.

Daniel M. Nunn continues as Treasurer for his second term. A partner at Caudle & Spears, P.A., his work includes construction defect and insurance defense litigation. Nunn is a University of Miami School of Law graduate.

Nicole B. Slaughter is the new Secretary, previously serving three years on the Board of Directors. A partner at Hamlet Law, her focus is on commercial litigation, construction law, and insurance defense. She earned her J.D., cum laude, from the University of Tennessee School of Law.

The NCADA welcomes new Board members for a 3-year term until 2027:

• Ryan Bostic, Cranfill Sumner, Wilmington
• Christy Dunn, Young Moore & Henderson, P.A., Raleigh
• J.D. McAlister, McAngus Goudelock & Courie, LLP, Charlotte
• Adam Peoples, Hall Booth Smith, Asheville
• Robert Young, Carruthers & Roth, P.A., Greensboro

These elections reflect NCADA's commitment to fostering expertise and networking among North Carolina's defense attorneys.

About NCADA
The North Carolina Association of Defense Attorneys (NCADA) is a professional organization of over 800 attorneys and paralegals focusing on civil litigation defense. NCADA serves as a resource for civil defense trial attorneys in North Carolina.

For more information, contact (919) 239-4463 or visit www.ncada.org.

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NCADA is pleased to endorse Todd Brown, Sr. for appointment as a Special Superior Court Judge with designation to the Business Court. Governor Cooper nominated Todd earlier in April, and he has received endorsements from the aligned business community, including the NC Chamber, NC Retail Merchants Association, and NC Homebuilders Association.  The nomination was confirmed by the House on April 24 and is now with the Senate.  Todd is the current president of the NC State Bar and is a past president of NCADA and Mecklenburg/26th Judicial District Bar.

Recognize a colleague, mentor or peer you hold in high esteem for the J. Robert Elster Award for Professional Excellence and the Award for Excellence in Trial Advocacy this year.

Present and past members of the NC Association of Defense Attorneys are eligible for consideration as a possible recipient for one of these awards. Recipients will be recognized during the 2024 Annual Meeting during the weekend of June 13-16.

Deadline for submission is Friday, April 26, 2024. Your letter of nomination should be addressed to Brian Beverly, Chair, Awards Committee, c/o Lynette Pitt, Executive Director, NCADA, by email.

Learn more about the J. Robert Elster Award for Professional Excellence and the Award for Excellence in Trial Advocacy and nominate someone you hold in high esteem.

A list of Past Recipients may be found here.

The North Carolina Association of Defense Attorneys (“NCADA”) will hold a Judicial Candidates' Forum on Friday, June 14, during the NCADA’s 47^th Annual Meeting in Asheville.  The Forum will feature judicial candidates running in statewide elections for seats on the North Carolina Supreme Court and the North Carolina Court of Appeals. The appellate races are statewide races that impact all citizens of North Carolina.

Eight candidates seek election for four open appellate level judicial seats - two candidates for North Carolina Supreme Court and six candidates for North Carolina Court of Appeals. Information about each candidate will made be available on the NCADA’s website at the Judicial Candidates’ Forum page shortly.  Additionally, a Special Candidates Issue of The Resource will be available for download.

The Forum gives members of the bar, the business community, and the public a rare opportunity to learn about the candidates who wish to serve the state at the appellate court level. Each candidate will have the opportunity to answer a question germane to the members of the civil trial bar and to briefly discuss his or her qualifications for the position.

The NCADA brings together civil trial attorneys to promote the exchange of information, ideas, and litigation techniques, and to strengthen the practice, improve the skills, and enhance the knowledge of lawyers defending individuals and businesses in North Carolina. For more information about the NCADA or the Judicial Candidates' Forum, please contact the Association office at 919-239-4463 or lynettepitt@ncada.org.