Tricia is a skilled and efficient litigator with over two decades of experience practicing in state and federal courts at the trial and appellate levels. With a nuanced understanding of the perspectives of all the stakeholders in a case, she effectively manages, analyzes, and resolves complex matters during critical stages of litigation. Her practice centers on federal court litigation, including matters related to labor and employment and intellectual property (IP), as well as commercial litigation. Tricia has argued matters in federal court proceedings, including appearing for oral argument before the United States Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit, as well as in state court and before the North Carolina Business Court.
Prior to returning to Shumaker, Tricia spent 18 years as the career law clerk to Judge Frank D. Whitney, U.S. District Judge for the Western District of North Carolina. She provided sound counsel to the judge in more than 150 federal jury and bench trials and thousands of federal civil and criminal cases. Drawing on her broad range of legal knowledge and acumen, Tricia gave advice in complex business litigation matters, including:
• Trademark, copyright, and patent disputes
• Employment disputes
• Contract disputes
• Class and collective actions
• Criminal litigation matters involving governmental investigations
Prior to serving as Judge Whitney's law clerk, Tricia practiced civil and commercial litigation at Shumaker and gained experience in both of North Carolina's appellate courts, serving as a law clerk to the Honorable John M. Tyson on the NC Court of Appeals and an extern to then-Justice Mark Martin on the NC Supreme Court. Her experience "behind the scenes" in federal court and North Carolina's appellate courts has left her with a unique perspective into the judiciary, which is a value added to her clients.
Tricia is an established community leader with significant experience directing nonprofits. Driven by her dedication to helping organizations optimize their impact, she frequently enacts strategies involving:
• Risk and crisis management
• Board engagement
• Leadership development
She has served on the board of directors for several community organizations and nonprofits, including the Mecklenburg County Bar, Charlotte Family Housing, Junior League of Charlotte, and Good Friends Charlotte.
Outside of work, Tricia enjoys spending time with her husband, Patrick, their two teenage daughters, and their dog, Banks. You can often find her on the tennis courts or cheering on the Tar Heels.
Education
J.D., Norman Adrian Wiggins School of Law at Campbell University
B.A., Public Policy Analysis, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
Professional Associations
- Fourth Circuit Judicial Conference, Permanent Member, 2018–present
- Mecklenburg County Bar Association, Member, 2005–present
- Local Rules Committee for the U.S. District Courts, Western District of North Carolina, Member, 2008–present
- Mecklenburg County Bar Board of Directors, Member at Large, 2018–2021
- Ayscue Award Committee Chair: Mecklenburg County Bar, 2020–2021
- Finance Committee: Mecklenburg County Bar Association, 2017–2020
- Continuing Legal Education Committee Chair: Mecklenburg County Bar, 2014–2016
- Steering Committee: Federalist Society, Charlotte Lawyers Chapter, 2011–present
- Federalist Society Vice Chair, Charlotte Lawyers Chapter 2011–2013
- Junior League of Charlotte, Inc., Member, 2007–present
- President and Chair, Board of Directors: Junior League of Charlotte, Inc. Board of Directors, 2019–2020
- Crisis Management Team Chair Junior League of Charlotte, Inc., (2020)
- Junior League of Charlotte, Inc. Board of Directors, 2017–2020
- Management Team, Junior League of Charlotte, Inc., 2015–2019, 2023–2024
- Risk Manager, Junior League of Charlotte, Inc., 2016–2017
- Communications Manager: Junior League of Charlotte, Inc., 2015–2016
- National Charity League, Inc. Board of Directors, Charlotte
- Parliamentarian, 2023–2024
- Vice President of Engagement and Inclusion, 2022–2023
- Charlotte Family Housing Board of Directors
- Chair, 2023–present
- Board Member: 2021–present
- Good Friends Charlotte Board of Directors, 2024–present
Honors
- Leadership Charlotte Class of 42 Graduate, 2020
- Charlotte ATHENA Leadership Award for Service Honoree, 2019
- 50 Most Influential Women by The Mecklenburg Times Honoree, 2019
- STANDOUT Charlotte, Cystic Fibrosis Foundation of Charlotte Honoree and First Runner-Up, 2017
Representative Matters
- Successfully defeated a motion for a preliminary injunction in a federal court case involving trademark law and restrictive covenants contained in employment agreements and orally argued case on appeal to the United States Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit
- Obtained consent judgment in patent, trademark, trade dress, and copyright infringement dispute following filing of motion for temporary restraining order and preliminary injunction and related briefing
- Served as local counsel in high-stakes complex antitrust federal court case and on appeal
- Successfully defeated both a motion for temporary restraining order and a motion for a preliminary injunction in a North Carolina Business Court dispute involving restrictive covenants in employment agreements
- Obtained temporary restraining order and preliminary injunction for employer to enforce restrictive covenants in employment agreement and restrain former employee from competing and soliciting employer's customers and employees
- Represented company's interest in enforcing restrictive covenants in employment agreements in adversary proceeding in bankruptcy court, resulting in favorable negotiated settlement for client
- Negotiated favorable pre-litigation settlement for individual to resolve claims against former employer
- Submitted Amicus Curiae Brief on behalf of North Carolina Citizens for Business and Industry regarding liability of a member-manager for the LLC-employer it manages, and successfully advanced arguments that formed the basis for dissent at North Carolina Court of Appeals and the basis for the Supreme Court of North Carolina's reversal
- Obtained a preliminary injunction for employer in state court action to enforce non-compete clause against a former employee, and successfully defended issuance of injunction on appeal
- Obtained favorable ruling of dismissal of appeal for failure to follow NC Rules of Appellate procedure, thereby leaving trial court's dismissal of the complaint undisturbed
- Served as appellate counsel in medical malpractice matter
- Served as appellate counsel in petition for writ of certiorari in medical malpractice defense matter