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.
