Ray Owens
Ray OwensAttorney and Counselor-at-Law
VCard

HISTORY

Legal Experience

  • 2012–Present  Higgins & Owens, PLLC
  • 1982–2012  K&L Gates, LLP (formerly Kennedy, Covington, Lobdell & Hickman, LLP) (partner and associate)
  • 1978–1982  Walker Palmer & Miller P.A. (associate)

    • Listed in Super Lawyers in Business Litigation (multiple years); Top 100 North Carolina Lawyers (multiple years); Top 25 Charlotte Lawyers (multiple years)
    • Listed in BUSINESS NORTH CAROLINA’s Legal Elite for Business Litigation and Alternative Dispute Resolution (multiple years)
    • Listed in Best Lawyers in America in Commercial Litigation (multiple years)
    • Rated “AV Preeminent” by Martindale Hubbell Peer Review Ratings
    • UNC School of Law Alumni Pro Bono Award (2013)
    • THE CHARLOTTE OBSERVER’s “Guardian of the Environment” (co-honoree, 2005)
    • North Carolina Bar Association’s Large Law Firm Pro Bono Justice Award (co-winner, 2005)
    • North Carolina Bar Association’s Pro Bono Justice Award (1999)

    • Speaker, “Difficult Issues in Mediation,” presented by the ADR Section of the North Carolina Bar Association (2017)
    • Speaker, “Mediation Issues in Insurance Coverage Disputes,” presented by the North Carolina Bar Association (2016)
    • Speaker, “Mediation in the North Carolina Business Court,” presented by the North Carolina Business Court (2015)
    • Speaker, “Mediation in Construction Cases,” presented by the North Carolina Bar Association (2014)
    • Speaker, “Crisis Management and Dealing with the Press,” presented by Strategic Leadership Forum of the Carolinas (2012)
    • Co-Presenter, “New Techniques in Civil Discovery,” presented by North Carolina Bar Association (2011)
    • Speaker, “Renaissance of Professionalism,” presented by North Carolina Bar Foundation (2005)
    • Speaker, “Dealing with the Difficult Lawyer or When is Kickboxing Appropriate for an Officer of the Court?” presented by North Carolina Bar Foundation (2003)

    • Supportive Housing Communities, Board of Directors (2012–2020)
    • Conservation Trust for North Carolina, Board of Directors (2012–2020), President (2016–17)
    • Chair, Mecklenburg County Bar Pro Bono Task Force (2015–16)
    • Lawyers Committee for Civil Rights Under Law, Board of Directors (2004–present)
    • Legal Aid of North Carolina, Board of Directors (2004–12)
    • IOLTA, Board of Directors, Chair (1999–2001) and Member (1996–01)
    • Mecklenburg Bar Foundation, Board of Directors (2004–10)
    • Arts & Science Council, Board of Directors, Executive Committee (2000–02) and Member (1998–04)

University of North Carolina, J.D., 1978

  • Order of the Golden Fleece
  • NORTH CAROLINA LAW REVIEW, Staff Member (1976–78)

University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, B.A., summa cum laude, History and German, 1975

  • Phi Beta Kappa (1973–75)
  • North Carolina Honors Program (1971–75)