A native North Carolinian and a fourth-generation lawyer, Ralph W. Meekins literally had the desire to help those who are not able to help themselves as well as to be a practical life adviser to people in his blood. This drive was further fostered as he attended the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. While studying to obtain his B.S. in psychology and physical education, his appreciation for hard work, preparing for every situation, standing up for others and timeliness were increased by serving as the UNC men’s basketball team manager for three years, including the National Championship season of 1982. By having the opportunity to spend significant amounts of time with 3 of the people he most admired in his life, Coach Dean Smith, Coach Bill Gutheridge and Coach Roy Williams, Mr. Meekins continued to deepen his core values of strong leadership, loyalty, hard work, drive and dedication.
Upon graduation from UNC, Mr. Meekins decided to attend Campbell University School of Law where he graduated with Distinction in 1986. At Campbell, he was an Associate Editor of the Law Review and President of the Moot Court Board. Mr. Meekins was also honored to be a member of the National Moot Court Team which prepared him to be an exceptional litigator and legal orator. He was also the proud recipient of a merit scholarship and was inducted into both Omicron Delta Kappa and Phi Kappa Phi honorary fraternities.
Following graduation from Campbell Law School, Mr. Meekins moved to Raleigh where began his law career with Young, Moore, Henderson P.A. and went on to become a shareholder in the firm in 1991. His practice focused primarily on defense litigation on behalf of businesses, physicians and professionals across NC.
Mr. Meekins felt a strong desire to focus his practice on helping others, especially those unable to stand-up for themselves, and that caused him to move his family to Cleveland County and Shelby, NC to begin a new law firm with his close friend from law school, David Teddy. They shared the same core values and realized that there was a need for a firm in the western part of North Carolina that would always be available, approachable and would zealously represent those who did not have a voice within the legal system. So, with this in mind, in 1995, Teddy & Meekins, now Teddy, Meekins & Talbert, P.L.L.C., was formed.
Mr. Meekins realized the importance of focusing his practice on helping individuals in the areas of personal injury and workers’ compensation. In 1995 he became Board Certified in the area of Civil Trial Advocacy by the National Board of Trial Advocacy and became a Board Certified Mediator. Mr. Meekins has been recognized by his peers and is a member of several prestigious state and national legal associations such as NC Super Lawyer, Top 100 Lawyer in NC and the Million-Dollar Advocates Forum. In addition, he has served as a member of the Board of Governors for the North Carolina Bar Association as well as a State Bar Counselor for the North Carolina State Bar.
In support of his desire to give back to his community as well as to support those community organizations that have as their mission to help improve the lives of others, Mr. Meekins has served as President of the Cleveland County Bar Association, is a member of the North Carolina and Cleveland County Bar Associations, Past Chairman of the Board for the Cleveland County YMCA and Past Chair of the Dover Foundation YMCA in Shelby.
The true loves if his life as well as the main focus of his time away from the office are his family, wife Loann of 37 years, 2 children and 2 grandchildren and of course – ANY UNC SPORTS (especially basketball). If he is not enjoying these things, he likes going hiking, quietly fishing (not always “catching”), playing a relaxing round of golf or a close game of tennis with good friends
“Keep calm and stand up for others.”
