WORK HISTORY:
Charles K. McCotter Jr., Attorney at Law, January 1, 2015 – present; Partner, McCotter Ashton, P.A., April 12, 2012-December 31, 2014; Partner, McCotter, Ashton & Smith, P.A., 2003-April 12, 2012; Partner, McCotter, McAfee and Ashton, PLLC, 1998-2002; Charles K. McCotter Jr., Attorney at Law, 1995-97; U.S. Magistrate Judge, United States District Court, EDNC, 1979-95; Partner, McCotter & Mayo, 1974-79; Charles K. McCotter Jr., Attorney at Law, 1973-1974; Law Clerk, John D. Larkins, Jr., United States District Judge, 1971-72.
EXPERIENCE:
General practice with emphasis on civil litigation, arbitration and mediation. Served as a U.S. Magistrate Judge with full range of duties, including trials, jury and non-jury, in federal civil litigation. Thorough knowledge and experience in application of the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure, Federal Rules of Evidence, and principles of federal jurisdiction. Considerable negotiation skills developed in acting as settlement master and mediator. Conducted hundreds of mediations involving business and commercial disputes, environmental liability, employment law, civil rights actions, admiralty and maritime law, products liability, personal injury, construction law, real estate disputes, insurance, and land condemnation actions. Expertise in the field of admiralty and maritime law. Experienced public speaker, including North Carolina Bar Foundation, Federal Judicial Center, and law school seminars.
ALTERNATIVE DISPUTE RESOLUTION EXPERIENCE:
Extensive ADR experience as U.S. Magistrate Judge, including mediation of hundreds of federal civil cases. Participated in writing Eastern District of North Carolina Local Rules regarding ADR. Mediator: all North Carolina U.S. District Courts. NC Dispute Resolution Commission Certified Superior Court Mediator. Arbitrator, National Panel of Neutrals, American Arbitration Association. Panelist, National Arbitration Forum. Conducted over 2,000 mediations and arbitrations.
Charles K. McCotter, Jr., Attorney at Law since January 1, 2015
Of Counsel, Zaytoun Law Firm, PLLC since June 1, 2017
• Civil litigation in state and federal court in North Carolina
• Proctor in Admiralty
• Application of the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure, Federal Rules of Evidence, and principles of federal jurisdiction
• Certified Superior Court Mediator, NC Dispute Resolution Commission
• Mediation involving business and commercial disputes, environmental liability, employment law, civil rights actions, admiralty and maritime law, products liability, personal injury, wrongful death cases, construction law, real estate disputes, insurance, and land condemnation actions
• U.S. Magistrate Judge full range of duties, including trials – jury and non-jury in federal civil litigation (1979-1995)
Past Employment Positions
• McCotter Ashton, P.A., Partner, April 12, 2012 - December 31, 2014
• McCotter, Ashton & Smith, P.A., Partner, 2003 - 2012
• McCotter, McAfee and Ashton, PLLC, Partner, 1998 - 2002
• Charles K. McCotter, Jr., Attorney at Law, 1995 - 1997
• U.S. Magistrate Judge, United States District Court, EDNC, 1979 - 1995
• McCotter & Mayo, Partner, 1974 - 1979
• Charles K. McCotter, Jr., Attorney at Law, 1973 - 1974
• John D. Larkins, Jr., United States District Judge, Law Clerk, 1971 - 1972
Professional Associations and Memberships
• Craven County Bar Association
• North Carolina State Bar
• North Carolina Bar Association
• Federal Magistrate Judges Association
• Fourth Circuit Judicial Conference
• Eastern North Carolina Inn of Court
• Maritime Law Association of the United States
• Southeastern Admiralty Law Institute (SEAL!)
• NC Academy of Superior Court Mediators
• National Academy of Distinguished Neutrals
• American Arbitration Association (AAA)
• Arbitrator, National Panel of Neutrals
• Forum, Arbitration Panelist
