The Lincoln Derr Advantage
Experience
Over 150 years of combined experience form the foundation of the Lincoln Derr Advantage. We leverage our experience to offer the highest level of representation available.
Diversity
We don’t just promote diversity-we are diverse. Our backgrounds and experiences enhance our connections with others and allow us to offer a broader perspective to clients.
Local Roots
We are immersed in our communities which gives us the advantage of knowing our courts, our jurors, and our opponents.
Click the video below to hear more about our firms primary differentiators explained by founders Sara Lincoln & Tricia Derr.
Recent News & Articles
Creativity in the Courtroom: “The Brief” Series
Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 6:25 — 5.9MB)
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How to Win a Street Fight: Our Toughest Jury Trials – Episode 2
Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 41:05 — 37.7MB)
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The Ethics of Working Remotely
While remote work has been a constant for many over the past year, various restrictions, deadlines, and guidelines have been ever-changing. Has your remote work practice kept up, or are you just trying to keep your head above water? Our ethics obligations follow us...
Our First Jury Trials – Episode 1
Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 16:43 — 15.3MB)
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In the debut episode of Trying 2 Win, a podcast about real-life legal battles in and outside the courtroom, we introduce you to Sara Lincoln and Tricia Derr, founders of Lincoln Derr, a minority and women-owned law firm based in Charlotte, N.C. Over the course of their careers, both women have distinguished themselves as powerhouse litigators, with decades of experience fighting on behalf of their clients in court. In this episode, though, we go back in time to when they were both new lawyers trying their very first cases. It wasn’t always pretty, but the hits and misses of those early courtroom experiences taught them a lot about what it takes to win. Their advice for all the law students and young lawyers out there? “Get your rear end into the courtroom and do it soon because there’s no better way to learn than through experience.”
The Need for More Black Lawyers
DARE TO CHANGE A DECADE CONSTANT: The Need To Increase Black Lawyer Representation in the Profession is Long Overdue As Black History Month comes to a close, and even as we continue a reflective look in the review mirror of 2020, what is revealed are collective...
Empathy and the Law – An Often Overlooked Superpower
Empathy goes beyond sympathy and compassion. It allows for a deeper understanding of others and their circumstances. Being empathetic does not imply weakness or being a pushover. Quite the contrary – empathy is a superpower that can improve us as individuals and make us better at our jobs.
Meet The Team
Sara R. Lincoln
Problem solving is what we are good at, whether that requires a courtroom or not. We are fighters by nature which allows us to put our clients in the best position possible for a favorable outcome.
Tricia M. Derr
Tricia Derr is a trial lawyer who has litigated hundreds of cases using creative communication, practical advice and innovative trial strategies.
Scott S. Addison
Scott Addison represents national corporations, large regional hospital systems, physician practices, banks, and entrepreneurs.
Jeremy Sugg
Jeremy Sugg is a uniquely talented lawyer dedicated to solving problems in the most efficient and comprehensive manner, whether at the deal table or in the courtroom, for clients ranging from individuals to national corporations.
Maria D. Ortiz
Maria Ortiz is an experienced bilingual litigator with a diverse background. She has litigated cases in federal and state courts; a fighter by nature who takes pride in representing health care professionals, hospital systems and physician practice groups.
Gwendolyn W. Lewis
Gwendolyn Lewis is a trial attorney, representing individuals, healthcare professionals, and companies in a wide variety of legal and risk management matters. She has an employment law, trial skills, and nonprofit higher education background.
Phoebe Coddington
Phoebe has litigated hundreds of cases and appeals nationally. Although she handles all types of cases, complex business litigation comprises the majority of her work.
Heather Fuller
Heather Fuller, a seasoned litigator with extensive federal experience, has handled cases in courts across the United States. Her innovative approach to each case, coupled with her sound judgment and ability to solve complex problems, makes her a strong advocate for her client.
Suzannah Hicks
Suzannah Hicks is an experienced litigator who has litigated high-profile, complex cases before various federal courts and agencies. She represents corporations and individuals in a wide variety of matters.
Courtney Bain
Courtney Bain joined Lincoln Derr in 2020 having previously worked at a litigation firm in Atlanta, Georgia. Courtney has represented clients in defense of a variety of negligence claims involving motor vehicle accidents, motor carrier liability, and premises liability.
Chris Vernick
Chris Vernick represents health care providers, hospital systems, and medical practice groups through all phases of litigation. He also handles North Carolina Board of Medicine matters.
Erin E. Alfaro
Erin Alfaro is a NC State Bar Certified Paralegal who has 20+ years experience working as a defense litigation paralegal.
Kelly Vecchio
Kelly Vecchio is a North Carolina State Bar Certified Paralegal who has over twenty-three years of experience. She brings to our legal team an outstanding work ethic, attention to detail and a willingness to go above and beyond to get the job done.
Christian Whittington
Christian Whittington is a North Carolina State Bar Certified Paralegal. She is committed to excellence in service and helping others find solutions to problems.
Karen Tahan
Hard work has its rewards both for our team and our clients. Knowledge, resourcefulness and dedication all contribute to the success of our team.
Kathy Devon
Kathy Devon is a recent New Jersey transplant who brings more than 20 years of diverse legal assistant experience to the firm. Her background and exposure to multiple areas of law enables her to provide solid and trustworthy support.
Dori Cazorla
Good marketers are observant, curious, and thrive on transforming creative into clever. However, passion for the “thing” that you are marketing is the link to success.
