F. Lachicotte Zemp, Jr.

Practices & Industries

• Alternative Dispute Resolution
• Appellate Practice
• Business Law
• Construction Law
• Hospitality & Tourism
• Insurance Coverage
• Land Condemnation & Eminent Domain
• Land Conservation
• Litigation
• Manufacturers & Distributors
• Medical Malpractice
• Personal Injury & Wrongful Death
• Products Liability
• Trucking Defense

Education

• Davidson College, BA, 1984
• Franklin Pierce Law Center, JD, 1990

Bar & Court Admissions

• Alaska Bar Association
• American Bar Association
• North Carolina Bar Association
• North Carolina State Bar

Biography

Lach (pronounced "Lash") Zemp is an AV rated lawyer with more than 20 years experience representing a variety of professional, medical, industry and business interests in North Carolina state and United States federal courts. His litigation and trial work began by representing oil producers on the North Slope of Alaska who were in royalty litigation with the State of Alaska. Today, Lach has extensive experience in professional and medical malpractice defense cases, professional licensure cases, commercial trucking defense cases, land development and conservation cases, and business litigation. Lach also represents individuals and families in land condemnation/ eminent domain cases.

Lach has successfully tried many cases to juries and handled appeals in both state and federal courts, but he is also keenly aware of the costs and resources associated with protracted litigation. As a result, he works hard to understand his clients' interests and goals, and he seeks to achieve their expectations as efficiently and successfully as possible. When matters can be settled outside of the courtroom, Lach is very experienced and successful at achieving favorable results in mediation, arbitration, or through direct negotiations. Lach is an active member of the North Carolina Association of Defense Attorneys (NCADA) and the Defense Research Institute (DRI).

Recent Experience and Successes

Obtained a reversal from the North Carolina Court of Appeals, overturning a jury verdict in a breach of contract case in an amount in excess of $565,000.

Achieved a successful jury verdict enforcing terms of a land conservation easement and awarding damages in an action for trespass, protecting a 500+ acre tract abutting Shining Rock Wilderness in Western North Carolina.

Successfully defended case on appeal to the North Carolina Court of Appeals. With partner Jim Williams, achieved a favorable jury verdict of no negligence in a medical malpractice case.

Successfully defended a physician under investigation by the N.C. Medical Board with no adverse action taken against physician

Initiated and managed complex federal court interpleader action in mass casualty commercial trucking defense case.

Successfully mediated and negotiated favorable resolutions for hospitals, physicians, land owners, business owners and partners and other professionals in many cases and claims.

Experience

Medical malpractice defense on behalf of hospitals, physicians and nursing homes

Trucking defense

Commercial/business, construction and property litigation

Land conservation/trust litigation

Law clerk to the Chief Justice of the New Hampshire Supreme Court, the Honorable David A. Brock

Professional

AV Preeminent Peer Review Rated by Martindale-Hubbell

Admitted to practice before all state and federal courts of North Carolina and Alaska, the Fourth Circuit Court of Appeals and the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals.

The Best Lawyers in America, Eminent Domain & Condemnation Law, 2012

Defense Research Institute (DRI), North Carolina Statewide Liaison, 2012

North Carolina Association of Defense Attorneys (NCADA), Co-Chair of the Communications Committee 2010 – present.

North Carolina Chapter of the American Society of Healthcare Risk Management (NC ASHRM),  Member since 2009.

Presentations include:

"The Confidentiality of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Records," Iredell Memorial Hospital, 2010

"The Standards for Voluntary and Involuntary Commitment," Iredell Memorial Hospital, 2010

"Why County Health Departments Get Sued and What Can They Do to Reduce the Chance of Being Sued," N.C. Local Health Directors' Legal Conference, 2007

"An Overview of Commercial Trucking Defense Litigation," Great West Casualty Company, 2007

"Preparing Medical Staff for Depositions," Mission Hospital, 2007

"The Importance of Accurate and Complete Documentation," Community Care Partners, 2007

Community Service

Pisgah Legal Services, Board of Directors, Vice President of the Board, 2006-present

Southern Appalachian Highlands Conservancy, Board of Directors, 2004-2011

WCQS Public Radio, Board Member; Board President, 2009-2011

City of Asheville, Committee for Sustainable Energy and Environment, 2007-2008

United Way Annual Campaign, Legal Division Cabinet Chair, 2008, 2009