Practice Areas
- Alternate Dispute Resolution
- Class Actions & Multi-District
- Employment & Labor
- Employment Litigation
- Environmental Litigation & Toxic Torts
- Intellectual Property Litigation
- Land Use & Zoning
- Litigation
Education
- B.A., University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, 1983
- J.D., University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, 1988
Bar & Court Admissions
- North Carolina, 1988
- All North Carolina state and federal courts
- U.S. Supreme Court
- U.S. Court of Appeals, Fourth Circuit
Other Areas of Law
- Civil, Commercial and Tort Litigation
- Zoning and Land Use
- Mediation
- Workers Compensation
Anthony (Tony) T. Lathrop
Tony Lathrop brings experience and a high level of analytical ability, professional credibility and creativity to handling litigation matters. He rigorously represents his clients' interests in a diverse range of claims and actions. A certified mediator, Mr. Lathrop has extensive experience representing business clients in mediation. His service to the legal profession in North Carolina has allowed him to develop relationships across the state that benefit the firm's clients.
Mr. Lathrop has tried cases in North Carolina's courts, before arbitrators and before the North Carolina Industrial Commission. Recent cases include:
- A trademark/copyright infringement action in federal court in which he obtained injunctive relief and impoundment by U.S. Marshals of pirated rock concert DVD's.
- A trademark infringement and breach of contract action involving manufacture and sale of athletic footwear.
- A trademark infringement and breach of contract action involving competing cable television networks.
- A post-acquisition dispute over corporate liability for property taxes, software and depreciation of real estate.
- A breach of a contract claim (sale of a $40 million manufacturing facility), representing a plaintiff Fortune 500 corporation.
- Summary judgment for defendants on a police liability claim in Federal court, which was affirmed by the Fourth Circuit.
- A breach of contract claim (pricing, cancellation costs), representing a tier-one automotive parts supplier.
- A coverage dispute over provisions of a contingent automobile liability insurance policy in connection with the vehicle leasing program of a Fortune 500 company.
- A trade secrets/corporate raiding case involving competing general contractors.
- A trade secrets action involving suppliers in the residential construction industry.
- A motor vehicle products liability claim defending an international vehicle manufacturer.
- A helicopter products liability claim defending an international manufacturer.
Representative Cases
Kling v. City of Monroe, 86 Fed Appx. 662, 2004 U.S. App. LEXIS 2093 (4th Cir. (NC) 2004). Defended city in connection with §1983 and state law police/municipal liability claims. Summary judgment for city affirmed.
Nadelin v. City of Monroe, 166 F.3d 333, 1998 WL 802021 (4th Cir. (N.C.) 1998). Defended city in connection with §1983 and state law police/municipal liability/excessive force claims. Summary judgment for city affirmed.
McDaniel v. Price, 93 CVS 154 (Rutherford County, N.C. Superior Court). Obtained defense verdict for employer/steeplejack welding contractor in trial of Woodson wrongful death claim.
Kiss Catalog v. Elliott et al., 3:04 CV384-MU (Western District of North Carolina). Obtained injunctive relief in trademark/copyright infringement action, and impoundment by U.S. Marshals of bootleg rock concert DVD's.
Seagle v. Kent-Coffey Manufacturing et al., 155 N.C.App. 221, 573 S.E.2d 772, 2002 WL 31894972 (N.C. App. 2002). Successful defense of workers compensation asbestos claim; finding of no liability for defendant/client affirmed.
NC Insurance Guaranty Association v. International Paper Company, et al. 152 N.C.App. 224, 569 S.E.2d 285, 2002 WL 1796981 (N.C. App. 2002). Dismissal of claim against client for lack of subject matter jurisdiction affirmed.
Of Note
- Named, as one of "North Carolina's Super Lawyers" by Law & Politics (2006- 2008)
- Immediate Past President, Mecklenburg County Bar (2007-2008)
- First chair, Mecklenburg Bar Leadership Institute (2001-2003)
- Aide, Governor James B. Hunt, Jr., (1983-1985)
- Appointed by Governor Hunt to the Governor's Crime Commission (1982-1985)
- Chair, Merit Selection Panels for two U.S. Magistrate Judges in North Carolina's Western District (2003-2004)
- Trustee, North Carolina Clean Water Management Trust Fund (2003-2006)
- Member, Board of Visitors and former member of Law and General Alumni Associations, UNC-Chapel Hill
- Recipient, Order of the Long Leaf Pine, North Carolina’s highest civilian honor
- William C. Friday Fellow (1999-2001)
- Current director of the Wildacres Leadership Initiative, which sponsors the Friday Fellows program
- President, General Counsel and Director, Second String Santas, Inc., a non-profit providing over 3,000 presents annually to children in Mecklenburg County (1997-2001)
News
- Tony Lathrop Participated in a Panel Discussion at the Network of Trial Law Firms' Spring Meeting
- Water Use Impacts Development
- Twenty Five MVA attorneys named NC Super Lawyers
Speaking Engagements
- Tony Lathrop and Mark Wilson to Present at Upcoming Mecklenburg County Bar CLE Program, May 21, 2008
- All Star Trial Advocacy 2008, February 1, 2008
- Mecklenburg County Bar Corporate Counsel Section CLE Program, January 15, 2008, Patents, Pirates and Trademarks
Professional Affiliations
- Certified Mediator, N.C. Superior Courts, N.C. Industrial Commission
- Certified Specialist, Workers Compensation Law, North Carolina State Bar (Member, Worker's Compensation Specialization Committee)
- Mecklenburg County Bar: President, 2006-2007; Chair, Bar Leadership Institute, 2001-2003
- North Carolina Bar Association: Chair, Workers Compensation Section, 2005-2006; Editor, Course and Scope Newsletter, 1999-2003
- American Bar Association
- Defense Research Institute
- North Carolina Association of Defense Attorneys