Lori R. Keeton
Top rated State, Local & Municipal attorney in Charlotte, North Carolina
The Law Offices of Lori Keeton
Practice Areas: State, Local & Municipal, Civil Litigation
Licensed in North Carolina since: 1998
Education: University of Florida Levin College of Law
Selected to Super Lawyers: 2018 - 2025 
Selected to Rising Stars: 2009, 2011 - 2013 The Law Offices of Lori Keeton
6000 Fairview RdSuite 1200
Charlotte, NC 28210 Phone: 704-552-3614 Email: Lori R. Keeton Visit website
Details
Lori Keeton moved to Charlotte, North Carolina after graduating from law school in 1998. She started her own firm in 2017, the Law Offices of Lori Keeton.
Her practice focuses on civil disputes in both state and federal courts with an emphasis on the following areas:
• Municipal and public official liability, including §1983 civil rights and police use of force claims
• Risk management
• Products liability, premises liability and catastrophic injuries
• Personal injury and wrongful death.
Ms. Keeton is admitted to practice before the United States Courts for the Middle, Western and Eastern Districts of North Carolina, the North Carolina Court of Appeals, the North Carolina Supreme Court and the United States Courts of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit.
First Admitted: 1998, North Carolina
Professional Webpage: https://lorikeetonlaw.com/about/
Bar/Professional Activity:
- Mecklenburg Bar Foundation- Nominating Committee
- Mecklenburg Bar Foundation, Nominating Committee Chairperson
- Mecklenburg Bar Foundation, President, 2019-2020
- Mecklenburg Bar Foundation, Incoming President, 2018-2019
- American Bar Association, 2017-2020
- Mecklenburg County Bar- Chair, Social & Networking Committee, 2012-2013; Centennial Events Task Force, 2011-2012
- Mecklenbug County Bar, Bar Leadership Institute Committee 2013-2016
- Commercial Real Estate Women ("CREW"), 2018-present
- Justice Initiatives- Board Member, 2010-2013
- Women Lawyers of Charlotte, 2017-present
- Mecklenburg Bar Foundation Board of Directors, 2013-2021
- North Carolina Association of Defense Attorneys- Vice Chair, Government Liability Practice Group, 2009 - 2011; Chair, Government Liability Practice Group, 2012-2013
- Ayscue Professionalism Award Committee, 2016-2020
- Women's Business Sorority, 2016-present
Special Licenses/Certifications:
- Certified Mediator 2018-Present
- City of Charlotte Women Business Enterprise, 2018-Present
- City of Charlotte Small Business Enterprise, 2018- Present
- North Carolina Historically Underutilized Business, 2018-Present
White Papers:
- Business Interruption Coverage in the Wake of the Gulf Oil Spill: The Devil is in the Details, Recent Developments in Insurance Coverage Litigation: Leading Lawyers on Analyzing Risks, Interpreting Policy Language, and Developing a Litigation Strategy (Inside the Minds), 1941
Educational Background:
- University of Florida School of Law, With Honors, 1998
- Stetson University, summa cum laude, 1991-1995
Verdicts/Settlements (Case Results):
- Jane Doe v. Bradley Leak et al., 3:18-CV-00586 (W.D.N.C.)- Obtained directed verdict for City of Charlotte in 2023 at conclusion of Plaintiff’s case-in-chief resulting in dismissal of all claims against the City of Charlotte, 2023
- Williams v. City of Charlotte et al., 3:21-CV-00649 (W.D.N.C.)- Obtained summary judgment after oral argument in 2023 for two individual officers on all claims including claims for excessive force, violations of the Fourth and Eighth Amendments, false imprisonment, assault and battery, malicious prosecution, negligent infliction of emotional distress, intentional infliction of emotional distress and state law constitutional claims, 2023
- Bosworth Jones v. City of Charlotte et al., 22 CVS 12431 (Mecklenburg County)- Obtained dismissal of all claims against two individual Charlotte DOT employees in 2022 and obtained summary judgment resulting in dismissal of all claims against the City of Charlotte in 2023 where the allegations centered around the design of a crosswalk and pedestrian signal and response to citizen complaint, 2022
- Morgan v. City of Charlotte et al., 3:22-CV-0003 (W.D.N.C.)- Obtained dismissal of all claims against two individual officers in 2023 where plaintiff alleged Fourth Amendment violations, negligent infliction of emotional distress, intentional infliction of emotional distress, negligence, gross negligence and malicious prosecution, 2022
- Jane Doe v. Bradley Leak et al., (3:18-CV-00586 WDNC)- Obtained summary judgment for school resource officer resulting in dismissal of all claims against him including claims for Equal Protection violation, negligence, negligent infliction of emotional distress and obstruction of justice., 2022
- Estate of Keith Scott v. City of Charlotte et al., 18-CVS-16700 (Mecklenburg County) and 2022-NCCOA-929 (December 2022)- Obtained reversal of trial court order denying individual officer’s Motion for Summary Judgment on claims of wrongful death, negligence, gross negligence and assault and battery, 2022
- Lynch v. Wiggins, 3:21-cv-00011 (W.D.N.C.)- Obtained dismissal of claims against individual police officer in 2022 for false arrest and illegal imprisonment as well as claims for violations of the Fourth and Fourteenth Amendments, 2021
- Tinsley v. City of Charlotte,19-1871 (4th Circuit)- Handled appeal for the City of Charlotte from Western District that resulted in the overturning of a $1.7M verdict and judgment in a sex discrimination case. See https://www.wsoctv.com/news/local/charlotte-wins-appeal-multi-million-dollar-discrimination-lawsuit/QNV6ZHGMYNDABKQ7LF7AXJWX5Q/ , 2021
- Govens v. City of Charlotte et al., 3:21-CV-00192 (W.D.N.C.)- Procured voluntary dismissal of claims against individual police officer, including a §1983 claim for violation of Fourth Amendment as well as claims of negligence and malicious prosecution, 2021
- Butler v. City of Charlotte, 3:21-CV-00625 (W.D.N.C.)- Obtained summary judgment for City of Charlotte in 2023 for claims of disability discrimination under the ADA and retaliation, 2021
- Wagner et al. v. City of Charlotte, 16-CVS-19141, 17-CVS-02467, 269 N.C.App. 656 (2020), 375 N.C. 277 (2020)- Obtained summary judgment at trial court level on claims of inverse condemnation, negligence, private nuisance, trespass, due process and equal protection violations by two separate sets of homeowners and successfully argued to have trial court ruling upheld at appellate level with exception of two claims by one set of homeowners, 2020
- Estate of Biggers v. City of Charlotte et al., 3:20-cv-00426 (W.D.N.C.)- Obtained summary judgment on all claims against individual police officer, including a §1983 claim as well as claims of negligence and North Carolina state constitutional claims , 2020
- Jill Roe v. Bradley Leak et al., 3:19-cv-00694 (WDNC)- Obtained summary judgment for school resource officer resulting in dismissal of all claims against him including claims for Equal Protection violation, negligence, negligent infliction of emotional distress and obstruction of justice., 2020
- HealthPrime, Inc. v. Smith/Packett/Med-Com, LLC, 428 F. App’x 937, 939 (11th Cir. 2011)- Served as local counsel and obtained dismissal of plaintiff’s claims for breach of contract, conversion, misappropriation of corporate funds, and fraud based on statute of limitations, 2020
- John D. Poetzsch as Administrator of the Estate of Spencer Mims III and Spencer Mims Jr. v. J.B. Donaldson et al.- Obtained favorable jury verdict ($100k) after defending a police officer in lawsuit claiming negligence, wrongful death and negligent infliction of emotional distress after a mentally ill man was shot and killed., 2018
- Cases or matters referenced do not represent the lawyer’s entire record. Each case is unique and must be evaluated on its own merits. The outcome of a particular case cannot be predicted based upon a lawyer’s or a law firm’s past results. Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome.
Scholarly Lectures/Writings:
- To Google or Not to Google: Social Media Tips, Tricks and Traps in Civil Litigation, Presenter, To Google or Not to Google: Social Media Tips, Tricks and Traps in Civil Litigation, Metrolina Paralegal Association, 2024
- Charlotte Rotary Annual "How I Got Where I'm At", Presenter, Charlotte Rotary Annual "How I Got Where I'm At", Charlotte Rotary Club, 2024
- Featured Speaker for Cleveland County Chamber- Professional Women's Luncheon, Presenter, Cleveland County Chamber of Commerce- Professional Women's Luncheon, Cleveland County Chamber of Commerce, 2023
- Presenter, “Contract Hot Topics That Every Event & Meeting Professional Must Know,” Carolinas Chapter of Meeting Professionals International Annual Meeting, February 5, 2023, Presenter, Contract Hot Topics That Every Event & Meeting Professional Must Know, Carolinas Chapter of Meeting Professionals International, 2023
- A summary of RBG's life and legacy from her time in law school through her time as a Supreme Court judge., Author, Ruth Bader Ginsburg: A Pioneer and Champion for Wome, GPSolo ABA Journal, 2020
- Presenter, “The Power of Point of View,” Metrolina Paralegal Association’s Annual CLE Seminar, February 24, 2017, Presenter, The Power of Point of View, Metrolina Paralegal Association, 2017
- “A Picture is Worth a Thousand Words: New North Carolina Law Offers Guidance on the Disclosure of Body and Dash Camera Footage", Author, “A Picture is Worth a Thousand Words: New North Carolina Law Offers Guidance on the Disclosure of Body and Dash Camera Footage", The Resource (NCADA), 2016
- “Up in the Air: The Effect of Estate of Armstrong Ex. Rel. Armstrong v. Vill. Of Pinehurst on Future Taser Usage in the Fourth Circuit”, Author, “Up in the Air: The Effect of Estate of Armstrong Ex. Rel. Armstrong v. Vill. Of Pinehurst on Future Taser Usage in the Fourth Circuit”, The Resource (NCADA), 2016
- Cover Your Assets, Presenter, Cover Your Assets, International Special Events Society- Charlotte Chapter, 2014
- Legal Issues in Security Management: A Picture is Worth a Thousand Words, Presenter, Legal Issues in Security Management: A Picture is Worth a Thousand Words, ADS Technology Showcase Seminar, 2014
- Premises Liability Issues Associated with the Democratic National Convention, Presenter, Premises Liability Issues Associated with the Democratic National Convention, Mecklenburg County Bar, 2012
- Managing the Risks Associates With Event Planning, Presenter, Managing the Risks Associates With Event Planning, International Special Events Society- Charlotte Chapter, 2012
- Preparing for the DNC- Premises Liability and Insurance Considerations, Presenter, Preparing for the DNC- Premises Liability and Insurance Considerations, American Society Of International Security- Charlotte Chapter, 2012
- Local Goverment and the Law- Legal Issues Involving Local Goverments, Presenter, Local Goverment and the Law- Legal Issues Involving Local Goverments, National Business Institute, 2012
Honors/Awards:
- Business North Carolina magazine's Legal Elite- Litigation, Business North Carolina Magazine, 2024
- Selected for inclusion in The Best Lawyers in America© in the areas of Municipal Law and Municipal Litigation, Best Lawyers in America, 2024
- Martindale-Hubbell AV® Preeminent™ in Litigation, Martindale-Hubbell, 2024
- Business North Carolina magazine's Legal Elite- Litigation, Business North Carolina Magazine, 2023
- Selected for inclusion in The Best Lawyers in America© in the areas of Municipal Law and Municipal Litigation, Best Lawyers in America, 2023
- Martindale-Hubbell AV® Preeminent™ in Litigation, Martindale-Hubbell, 2023
- Business North Carolina magazine's Legal Elite- Litigation, Business North Carolina Magazine, 2022
- Selected for inclusion in The Best Lawyers in America© in the areas of Municipal Law and Municipal Litigation, Best Lawyers in America, 2022
- Martindale-Hubbell AV® Preeminent™ in Litigation, Martindale-Hubbell, 2022
- Business North Carolina magazine's Legal Elite- Litigation, Business North Carolina Magazine, 2021
- Selected for inclusion in The Best Lawyers in America© in the areas of Municipal Law, Municipal Litigation and Commercial Law, Best Lawyers in America, 2021
- Martindale-Hubbell AV® Preeminent™ in Litigation, Martindale-Hubbell, 2021
- Business North Carolina magazine's Legal Elite- Litigation, Business North Carolina Magazine, 2020
- Selected for inclusion in The Best Lawyers in America© in the areas of Municipal Law and Municipal Litigation, Best Lawyers in America, 2020
- Martindale-Hubbell AV® Preeminent™ in Litigation, Martindale-Hubbell, 2020
- Business North Carolina magazine's Legal Elite- Litigation, Business North Carolina Magazine, 2019
- Selected for inclusion in The Best Lawyers in America© in the areas of Municipal Law and Municipal Litigation, Best Lawyers in America, 2019
- Martindale-Hubbell AV® Preeminent™ in Litigation, Martindale-Hubbell, 2019
- Named one of the "50 Most Influential Women" in Charlotte, Mecklenburg County Times, 2016
- America's Most Honored Professionals Top 1%, 2015-2024, Martindale-Hubbell
- Phi Beta Kappa- 1994; Order of the Coif- 1998, Stetson University and University of Florida College of Law
Pro bono/Community Service:
- Novant Health Cancer Institute Advisory Council, 2024
- Rotary Club of Charlotte- Social Committee and Photography Committee, 2024
- Rotary Club of Charlotte Member, 2024
- Featured Speaker for Rotary Club of Charlotte annual "How I Got Where I'm At", 2024
- Ambassador for 10th Annual Breakfast Conversations Business Networking Event devoted to small businesses doing big business, 2024
- Featured speaker for Metrolina Paralegal's Association's Spring Meeting , 2024
- Toys for Our Troops Sponsor , 2023
- Featured Speaker for Cleveland County Chamber- Professional Women's Luncheon, 2023
- Led Donation Drive for Novant Cancer Center Health & Wellness Center, 2023
- Featured Speaker for the Carolinas Chapter of Meeting Professionals International Annual Meeting, 2023
Office location for Lori R. Keeton
6000 Fairview Rd
Suite 1200
Charlotte, NC 28210
Selections
8 Years Super Lawyers
4 Years Rising Stars
- Super Lawyers: 2018 - 2025
- Rising Stars: 2009, 2011 - 2013