Lawyer Bio : Keith W. Vaughan
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Keith W. Vaughan
Winston-Salem
Chairman, Womble Carlyle Sandridge & Rice, LLP
Keith Vaughan has been Chairman of the firm since 2002. He previously served for 10 years as the Firm’s Litigation Practice Group Leader.
Keith is Chair of the Managing Partner’s Committee of Lex Mundi and on the Board of Directors of that organization. Lex Mundi is the world's leading association of independent law firms (17,000 lawyers practicing in 160 elite law firms). Womble Carlyle's international work for clients is facilitated by the firm’s membership in Lex Mundi as lawyers at member firms communicate with one another for advice on local law and share information about the business and investment climates in their countries.
Over the past 30 years, Keith has tried numerous jury and bench trials, handled various administrative proceedings and argued a wide range of matters in appellate courts in matters involving business, product liability, toxic tort and environmental issues. He has served as national coordinating counsel for a Fortune 500 company’s product liability litigation, and was class counsel in a series of class action lawsuits.
Contact
- (336) 721-3540
- (336) 733-8417
Professional Activities
Fellow, American College of Trial Lawyers
Permanent Member, Fourth Circuit Judicial Conference
Chambers USA: America’s Leading Business Lawyers (Litigation)
- The Best Lawyers in America (“Bet the Company Litigation,” Business Litigation, Personal Injury Litigation, Product Liability Litigation). Lawyer of the Year, “Bet-the-Company Litigation,” Greensboro market, 2011.
North Carolina Super Lawyers
Law Dragon’s “500 Leading Litigators” and “100 Managing Partners You Need to Know”
“Master of the Bench,” American Inns of Court
North Carolina Bar Association: Litigation Section; Georgia Bar Association; American Bar Association: Litigation Section; Forsyth County Bar Association; Lex Mundi Board of Directors, 2011-present; Forsyth County Young Lawyers Association, President, 1981; North Carolina Association of Defense Attorneys, Board of Directors, 1985 – 1988.
Admitted to practice before the United States Supreme Court; United States District Courts for the Eastern, Middle and Western Districts of North Carolina; the North Carolina Supreme Court; and the United States Court of Appeals for the 4th Circuit.
Admitted to the bar 1975, North Carolina and Georgia.
Civic Activities
- North Carolina Partnership for Economic Development
- Chairman (2008-2009)
- Piedmont Triad Partnership
- Chairman, Board of Directors (2006-2009)
- United Way of Forsyth County
- Chairman, United Way Foundation (2005-2009); Board Member, United Way Foundation, (2005-2011); Campaign Chair (2009); Executive Committee; Board of Directors (2003-2011).
- Wake Forest University Board of Visitors
- Chairman (2011-2012)
- Winston-Salem Alliance
- Board of Directors
- Winston-Salem Chamber of Commerce
- Chairman (2010), Executive Committee, Board of Directors.
- Winston-Salem Downtown Rotary Club
- President (2006-2007)
- Winston-Salem State University
- Executive Committee; Board of Trustees; Chairman, Appeals Committee; Chairman, Audit Committee; Chairman, Nominating Committee; Chairman, Personnel & Tenure Committee
- Smith-Shaver Law School Scholarship Fund
- Chairman (2008-2010)
Education
B.A., 1972, Wake Forest University
J.D., 1975, University of Georgia
Editor in Chief, Georgia Law Review (1974-1975)
Additional Information
Firm Management Responsibilities
Chair, Firm Management Committee
Firm Managing Member
Chair, Firm Management Committee
Firm Managing Member
Areas of Proficiency
- Product Liability Litigation
- Business Litigation
Honors
Practice & Industry Teams
Articles
News
- Womble Carlyle’s Keith Vaughan Named to Lex Mundi Executive Committee
- Leadership Team Meets Justice O’Connor
- Womble Carlyle Featured in Atlanta Business Chronicle
- Keith Vaughan Named One of Triad’s Most Influential People By Triad Business Journal
- Twenty-Five Womble Carlyle Attorneys Named 2012 “Lawyers of the Year” By Best Lawyers
- Womble Carlyle Opens Silicon Valley Office
- 125 Womble Carlyle Attorneys Ranked Among The Best Lawyers in America 2012
- 38 Womble Carlyle Attorneys Named to 2011 Chambers USA Rankings
- Womble Carlyle Places 58 attorneys in N.C. Super Lawyers, Rising Stars Rankings
- Womble Carlyle’s Keith Vaughan Among Speakers at Major N.C. Economic Development Announcement
- Five Womble Carlyle Attorneys Honored as “Lawyers of the Year” in National Report
- Client Satisfaction A Focus for Womble Carlyle
- Chambers USA honors 33 Womble Carlyle attorneys as “Leaders in their Field”
- Womble Carlyle’s Keith Vaughan Chairs Successful United Way Fundraising Campaign
- Vaughan, Brunstetter Named to Triad's Most Influential List
- Womble Carlyle Receives National Diversity Award
- Best in Show: Womble Carlyle Leads the Pack for Doggone Good Cause
- Lenovo Presents Womble Carlyle With Olympic Torch
- Womble Carlyle Presents ACC Value Challenge Program
- Womble Carlyle Wins 2008 ESGR Freedom Award
- Womble Carlyle's Keith Vaughan Makes List of Top 100 Managing Partners
- Womble Carlyle Leads the Way in Economic Development in North Carolina
- Vaughan, Brunstetter Recognized as Triad's Most Influential
- Womble Carlyle Proud to Support Thurgood Marshall College Fund
- Ninety-Eight Womble Carlyle Attorneys Named Among The Best Lawyers In America
- Womble Carlyle's Keith Vaughan Named One Of America's Most Admired Firm Leaders
- Womble Sought Ehrlich to Symbolize Regional Expansion
- Womble Carlyle Recognizes 2006-2007 Scholars
- Keith Vaughan's West Virginia Roots Mentioned in Wall Street Journal Blog
- Womble Carlyle Receives Award for Supporting Employees in Military Reserves, National Guard
- Welcome to WCSR.com