Zaytoun Law Firm Attorney Profiles
Robert Zaytoun
Robert Zaytoun, principal in Zaytoun Law Firm, began his career in 1976 with Salem & Salem, a Tampa, Florida litigation firm. He became a member with the Florida Bar in 1977 and continues in good standing. He returned to his native North Carolina in 1978 to take a position as an Assistant District Attorney for Wake County. After four years of intense trial work as a prosecutor, during which he tried over 100 cases in front of juries as lead counsel for the State, Robert entered the private practice of law in Raleigh in 1982 where he focused on criminal defense. Soon, however, his practice evolved into representing injured people in personal injury cases. His practice has since grown over the past 25 years to specializing in catastrophic personal injury, medical malpractice, wrongful death, business litigation, torts, health care fraud and abuse, product liability, managed care litigation, and Qui Tam “Whistle Blower” litigation.
For Robert, zealous representation of his clients is the benchmark of success as a litigation attorney. Whether he is appearing in the state or federal courts, by his client’s side at arbitration or mediation, or advocating for justice through his many professional memberships, Robert’s commitment to leveling the playing field for his clients is evident in every aspect of his practice of law.
Robert earned his law degree from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill in 1975 after having earned his bachelor’s degree in 1971, also at UNC-CH. Robert’s blood runs Carolina blue and he enjoys taking in Carolina sporting events with friends and family as much as possible, especially following Tar Heel basketball.
Medical issues predominate in areas of interest throughout Robert’s varied civil trial practice. Over the years, Robert has recovered multi-million dollar settlements or verdicts for his clients in various types of law including medical malpractice, wrongful death and catastrophic injury cases. He has gone up against corporate defendants such as national trucking companies, as well as state and private hospitals, powerful managed care companies, and state agencies including the North Carolina Department of Transportation. Robert has successfully uncovered multiple insurance benefits for his clients, which were at first not obviously discoverable or applicable. For example, in 2001, Robert persuaded two insurers, the primary carrier and the underinsured motorist carrier, that his clients should be covered for two separate automobile collisions even though a single vehicle hit them. Robert successfully argued that because the tortfeasor struck his clients two separate times, two collisions occurred. After convincing the insurers of this novel approach to interpreting the language in standard uninsured motorist policies, Robert obtained double recoveries for his clients in their wrongful death and serious personal injury cases.
Outside the practice of law, Robert contributes to his community through his participation in various civic and public organizations. He is the only non-physician (and lawyer) serving on the North Carolina Health and Wellness Trust Fund Commission, having been appointed by Governor Michael Easley in 2000 and reappointed in 2004 and 2008. He currently serves as Acting Chair of the Commission, whose function is to distribute National Tobacco settlement funds for health and wellness grants in North Carolina. He was also appointed by Governor Easley in 2008 to the Board of Trustees of the North Carolina Symphony. As Vice Chairman of Farm Pilot Project Coordination, a not-for-profit company in Tampa, Florida, Robert is dedicated to the development of innovative technologies to protect our water and air from the damaging pollutants created by animal waste.
Robert enjoys golfing, cycling and running and is a former marathoner. He is a voracious reader and movie-goer, and has even produced a feature-length independent film, “Fighting Words,” that was released in 2007. Robert resides in Raleigh. He has six young adult children, all of varied careers and interest. They each share Robert’s vision that “whatever you do in your life, it is worthwhile if it has purpose and serves your fellow human beings.”
Practice Areas:
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Medical Malpractice
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Catastrophic Personal Injury
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Wrongful Death
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Business Litigation
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Torts
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Health Care Fraud and Abuse
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Product Liability
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Managed Care Litigation
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Qui Tam Whistle Blower Litigation
Bar Admissions:
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State of North Carolina, 1975
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State of Florida, 1977
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U.S. District Courts for the Eastern and Middle Districts of North Carolina, 1982
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U.S. Court of Appeals, Fourth Circuit
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U.S. Supreme Court
Education:
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J.D., University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, 1975
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A.B., University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, 1971
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National Institute of Trial Advocacy (NITA), Basic and Advanced Training
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Duke Private Adjudication Center, Mediation Course Certification, 2002
Honors and Accomplishments:
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University of North Carolina School of Law Mentorship Program; 1995-1997
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Appointed by Governor Michael Easley as Member of the Health and Wellness Trust Fund Commission (Chairman, Operations and Personnel Committee)
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Board of Trustees of the North Carolina Symphony
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Vice Chairman, Farm Pilot Project Coordination, Inc.
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Member and Current President, American Board of Trial Advocates (ABOTA)
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Selected to North Carolina Super Lawyers®
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AV rating with Martindale Hubbell
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Appointed Special Prosecutor by Senior Resident Superior Court Judge Orlando Hudson to prosecute and remove Mike Nifong as District Attorney in Durham County (Duke Lacrosse Case), June 2007
Professional, Civic and Community Activities:
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Member - North Carolina State Bar
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Member - North Carolina Bar Association (Member, Sections on Health Law, Litigation and also Member of Litigation Council)
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Member - Wake County Bar Association (Member, Board of Directors, 1988-1990)
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Member - American Bar Association (Member, Health Law Section and Litigation Section)
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Member - Florida State Bar
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Member - Florida Bar Association
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Member - North Carolina Advocates for Justice (Board of Governors, 1989-1997; Executive Committee, 1990-1993; Professional Negligence Section; Vice Chairman 2000-2002; Chairman, 2002-2003)
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Member - Susie Sharp Inn of Court
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Member - North Carolina College of Advocacy
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Member - American Association for Justice
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Member - American Board of Trial Advocates
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Board of Directors, Tryon Palace Council of Friends
- Executive Producer, “Fighting Words” film, 2007
Matthew D. Ballew
Matthew Ballew practices in all areas of the firm, including Medical Malpractice, Complex Business Litigation, Motor Vehicle Accidents, Premises Liability and General and Class-Action Civil Litigation.
A lifelong native of North Carolina, Matt grew up in Marion, a small town in the foothills of the state. He attended McDowell High School, where he met his future wife, Jennifer. After high school, he attended North Carolina State University. He graduated summa cum laude, receiving a B.A. with Honors in History and a B.A. in Political Science. He then received his law degree from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill in 2009.
During law school, Matt was one of ten students from his class to be selected onto the Broun National Trial Team, the law school’s nationally competitive mock trial group. In his first year on the team, he competed in the American Association for Justice (AAJ) mock trial tournament, his team placing 4th overall in the Memphis Regional competition. During his final year of law school, Matt was elected President of the Broun National Trial Team and the UNC Trial Law Academy. In that year, he competed in the National Institute for Trial Advocacy (NITA) “Tournament of Champions” with the sixteen top-ranked trial teams in the country.
Also during his third year of law school, Matt worked in the UNC Civil Legal Assistance Clinic as a North Carolina Bar-Certified Student Attorney. He represented indigent clients from the Triangle in pro bono matters ranging from bankruptcy defense, social security disability claims, child custody and support, and access to public housing. He also served as a Dean’s Fellow during his last two years of law school, mentoring first year students in academics and maintaining a healthy school-life balance.
Matt began his career as an attorney in Pittsboro, N.C. There he practiced in the areas of civil litigation and criminal defense. He has been practicing law with Zaytoun Law Firm, PLLC since June 2010. He was recently appointed as the North Carolina Advocates for Justice (NCAJ) “New Lawyers Division” CLE Chair, as well as a Member of the NCAJ Education Committee.
Matt is married to his beautiful wife, Jennifer, who teaches A.P. Government, A.P. US History, World History and Civics at Chapel Hill High School. Jennifer received her undergraduate and graduate degrees from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. They are the proud parents of Eleanor Ballew, their seven month old daughter. Matt plays lead guitar in the band “Go Fast Crow,” a blues-rock-soul band out of Chapel Hill. He enjoys blues, jazz and rock music, literature, cooking, fly fishing and pulling for the N.C. State Wolfpack.