High-profile North Carolina attorney Bill Diehl dies at 78

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Invoice Diehl, a longtime high-profile North Carolina lawyer whose household and mates recalled his ardour as a authorized advocate and in life, has died at age 78.

Diel died Thursday in a Charlotte retirement neighborhood from issues associated to his newest stroke, his brother, Danny, informed The Charlotte Observer. Diehl had been in principally declining well being since he retired from his legislation apply in 2016.

Identified for his shoulder-length, reddish-blonde hair, Diehl represented quite a few well-known purchasers in felony, civil or divorce proceedings. They included NASCAR crew proprietor and automobile seller Rick Hendrick, former Charlotte Hornets proprietor George Shinn, and speedway monitor proprietor Bruton Smith.

Household and mates stated Diehl was a person of giant appetites and a number of passions, from giant collections of report albums and wine to a 43-foot sailboat.

“He actually broke the mildew. I inform younger attorneys on a regular basis, ‘Don’t attempt to be Invoice Diehl. It gained’t be just right for you. You’re not Invoice Diehl,’” stated Ed Hinson, a longtime legislation associate.

Diehl grew up in Norfolk, Virginia, and relocated to jap North Carolina as an adolescent. He went to the College of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and the College of Virginia legislation college. His larger-than-life demeanor within the courtroom shaded over the work he did for purchasers.

“He was most likely one of many best-prepared attorneys that ever appeared in my courtroom,” retired Mecklenburg County Superior Courtroom Decide Richard Boner informed the Observer in 2018. “I do know that he was costly. However I’ll let you know this: He fulfilled, in each case that I witnessed, the mandate that’s within the canon of ethics for attorneys — that you must characterize your consumer zealously throughout the bounds of the legislation.”

A memorial service for Diehl, who’s survived by two kids from a former marriage, will likely be held within the new yr, the newspaper reported.