Donna Renfrow Rutala

Background

Donna Renfrow Rutala, B.S.N., J.D., practices in the areas of medical malpractice defense litigation and health law. In her work, Donna represents hospitals, physicians, and other health care providers in civil litigation as well as administrative proceedings. She also advises hospitals on health law and employment law issues.

Donna has trial experience in both the federal and state courts of North Carolina and has appeared before various administrative tribunals including the North Carolina Board of Nursing, the North Carolina Board of Pharmacy, the Employment Security Commission, and the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission.

Donna joined Young Moore and Henderson as a shareholder in 2007, after practicing a number of years with another law firm. While attending the evening law program at NCCU, Donna worked as a risk/claims manager for UNC Hospitals in Chapel Hill. While in that position, she was involved in analyzing, negotiating and resolving patient claims against the hospital system and provided education to hospital employees in the area of risk management. Donna’s unique combination of experience in the health care setting enables her to provide an in-depth understanding of multiple problems faced by the health care industry. Donna has an AV Peer Review Rating from Martindale-Hubbell.

She is married to William A. Rutala who is a professor in the Department of Medicine at the UNC School of Medicine and director of the statewide program for Infection Control and Epidemiology. They reside in Chapel Hill and have two daughters, Melissa and Meredith. Her hobbies include international travel and photography.

Practice Areas

• Medical Malpractice Defense
• Health Law
• Licensing Boards and Commissions
• Business Litigation
• Professional Liability
• Nursing Home/Long Term Care Litigation

Education & Bar Admissions

• J.D., North Carolina Central University School of Law
• B.S.N., University of North Carolina  

Admitted in

• North Carolina, 1989
• U.S. District Courts for the Eastern and Middle Districts of North Carolina

Awards & Achievements

• Sigma Theta Tau Nursing Honor Society
• American Jurisprudence Award in Appellate Advocacy
• Language: Spanish

Professional & Civic Activity

• North Carolina Bar Association
  • Health Law Section
  • Litigation Section
• American Bar Association
  • Health Law Section
  • Litigation Section
• N.C. Association of Defense Attorneys, board of directors 2007-2008
  • Chair, Medical Malpractice Practice Group 2007-2008
  • Vice-Chair, Medical Malpractice Practice Group 2006-2007
• Defense Research Institute
• North Carolina Association of Hospital Risk Managers
• UNC Newman Catholic Student Center Advisory Board

Publications & Presentations

• “Understanding the Physician’s Role in Cases of Alleged Medical Negligence & Loss Prevention Strategies,” University of North Carolina Medical School, May 12, 2008
• “Trends in Medical Malpractice Litigation: Past, Present & Future,” American Society of Hospital Risk Management, North Carolina chapter, Spring meeting, May 7, 2008
• “Duke University Department of Surgery/Medical/Legal Seminar Series,” 2007, 2008
• “Wake Forest University Baptist Medical Center Medical/Legal Seminar Series,” May 2009
• “The Nurse’s Role in Cases of Alleged Negligence and Related Risk Management,” UNC School of Nursing Alumni Appreciation Day Continuing Education Seminar, 2007

Milestones

• Dunkley v. Shoemate, 129 N.C. App. 255, 497 S.E.2d 713 (1998), affirmed, 350 N.C. 573, 515 S.E.2d 442 (1999).
• Lumley v. Capoferi, 120 N.C. App. 578, 463 S.E.2d 264 (1995).
• Mudusar, by and through Baloch v. V.G. Murray & Co., 100 N.C. App. 395, 396 S.E.2d 325 (1990).

Disclaimer: The above information may not necessarily reflect the attorney’s entire record, and the outcome of any particular future matter cannot be predicated on the attorney’s or law firm’s past results.