Business Torts; Catastrophic Personal Injury; Wrongful Death; Professional Negligence

Howard received his B.S. in Business Administration in 1954 from Wake Forest University and his J.D. from Wake Forest University School of Law in 1957. He began his practice in Raleigh in 1957, establishing his own firm in 1960 and later merging his firm with that of Charles Blanchard, one of the first lawyers in North Carolina to specialize in representing injury victims.

A premier trial lawyer, Howard has been listed in Best Lawyers in America since its first edition. For 30 years, he has had an AV rating, from Martindale Hubbell. He primarily represents the catastrophically injured in personal injury, wrongful death and professional negligence cases, and has also been a principal negotiator representing agents and managers in a fraud and deceptive trade practices case against a large national insurance company. Additionally, with partner Don Strickland, he obtained one of the highest punitive damages awards in North Carolina for his clients in a fraud and deceptive trade practices case against Snap-On Tools Corporation.

Howard has achieved statewide and national recognition for his skills as a lawyer and for his leadership. He was elected and served as President of the Association of Trial Lawyers of America (ATLA), the national organization of lawyers representing injured persons. He formerly served as President of its North Carolina affiliate, the North Carolina Academy of Trial Lawyers (NCATL). He has been President of the Wake County Bar Association and of the Tenth Judicial Bar. He is an elected fellow of the International Academy of Trial Lawyers, the International Society of Barristers and the American Board of Trial Advocates.

Howard also served in the North Carolina House of Representatives for four terms and became Chairman of the House Judiciary I Committee. While in the General Assembly, one of Howard's accomplishments was improving protection for the disabled and injured citizens of North Carolina through passage of a major revision of our Wrongful Death Act, extending the Statute of Repose, completely rewriting the laws relating to mental health, and rewriting the State Building Code making buildings, sidewalks, vehicular parking and other areas accessible to the handicapped. He also was the sponsor of legislation removing all references to race from State laws and was House sponsor of the first legislative ethics law.

Howard’s love for his alma mater continues to play an important role in his life. He is Past President of the Wake Forest University Law Alumni Association, and is Chairperson of the Wake Forest Law School's Board of Visitors. His service to that University as a whole was recognized when, in 2002, he received the Wake Forest University Distinguished Alumni Award.

His service to the law and to his clients has also included working with many organizations and Commissions, perhaps the most notable being the Roscoe Pound Institute headquartered in Washington, D.C., where he has served as Director for more than fifteen years and as President for two years. He was a charter member of the Chief Justice's Committee on Professionalism in North Carolina and for more than a decade was a member of the North Carolina Courts Commission. He has spoken and taught trial advocacy throughout the United States and in five foreign countries - England, Holland, Australia, Canada and Mexico.

Howard's many awards include:

2001 Leonard Ring Champion of Justice Award, ATLA's highest award
2000 Harry Philo Award, ATLA's award for commitment to individual's rights and the pursuit of justice
1998 Southern Trial Lawyers Association Warhorse Award
1986 NCATL "Walter Clark Award," for extraordinary service to the cause of justice. (The fourth time awarded in 24 years and the highest award given by NCATL)
1972 NCATL Outstanding Legislator Award for services in behalf of the injured, maimed and the families of deceased persons in product liability, automotive and aviation cases
1975 North Carolina Governor's "Citation for Meritorious Service" for outstanding
contributions to handicapped citizens through promotion of barrier-free buildings and facilities
1973 Pine Valley Easter Seal Society, "Volunteer of the Year"
1968 North Carolina Paraplegic Association "Outstanding Service to the Handicapped Award" 1969 North Carolina Rehabilitation Association "Meritorious Service Award" for exceptional contribution in furthering the rehabilitation of the handicapped