Lach Zemp Accepts Defense Research Institute’s Janata Award on Behalf of NCADA

On Friday, October 18, the North Carolina Association of Defense Attorneys was awarded the 2019 Rudolph A. Janata Award from the Defense Research Institute. This prestigious award is presented each year to one state or local defense bar organization that stands out from the crowd for its innovative, outstanding, or unique programming and/or achievements.

Roberts & Stevens partner and NCADA President F. Lachicotte Zemp, Jr. accepted the award with past NCADA president Day Matthews at the DRI’s annual meeting, held October 16-19 in New Orleans.

Zemp nominated the NCADA for the award based on its work and efforts to promote the importance of diversity in the organization, as well as in its members’ professional practices and personal lives. In the last three years, the NCADA has held sessions, workshops and discussions to highlight important topics relating to diversity: Sexual Violence and Sexual Harassment Claims in the #MeToo Era; MEET: Race Relations Panel; What is it Like to Be White in America?; Leveraging Diversity in Litigation from Cradle to Grave; Managing Blind Spots: Uncovering Bias in the Practice of Law; and, in the wake of North Carolina’s controversial HB2 Bill, Embracing Diversity: Lives in Transition.

Established in 1977, the NCADA is a professional organization of nearly 900 attorneys and paralegals across the state who devote a majority of their time to representing businesses and individuals in civil litigation. 

Zemp was confirmed as the organization’s president on June 15, 2019 at the 2019 NCADA Annual Meeting held at The Omni Grove Park Inn in Asheville. He will serve as president of the organization for one year.