Robert Paschal has been with Young Moore and Henderson since graduating from law school in 1978 and is a shareholder and former member of the firm's Board of Directors. His practice involves employee benefits and ERISA law; lobbying before the North Carolina General Assembly; representation of third-party administrators which provide services in connection with health and workers' compensation insurance; representation of the Beach and FAIR Plans (markets of last resort for property insurance); and administrative law before the North Carolina Department of Insurance on matters involving company licensing and admissions, policy forms, managed care and agents.

Young Moore and Henderson was for many years general counsel to the former Durham Life Insurance Company, and Robert worked closely with Durham Life on matters involving life, health and credit insurance. He developed expertise in litigating claims disputes, contract issues and dealing with regulatory authorities. Robert has continued his practice in these areas and also represents insurers and individuals in disputes involving disability benefits. The resolution of claims involving ERISA-governed employee benefit plans is also an important part of Robert's practice.

Robert has also for many years provided legislative representation for clients before the North Carolina Legislature. Robert's clients have included members of the property and casualty and health insurance industries and public authorities. This representation allows Robert's clients to be steadily updated on legislative developments and to participate in decisions affecting their businesses.

Robert is a former member of the Board of Directors of the Wake County Bar and a past president of the Young Lawyers Division of the Wake County Bar. He holds memberships in the Defense Research Institute, the Health Law Section of the North Carolina Bar Association and the American Law Firm Association, Life, Accident and Health Insurance Practice Group. Robert frequently lectures on legislative and legal issues. Robert was an English Speaking Union scholar at the Oundle School in England in 1970-71. He is a 1975 Graduate of the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, where he was a Morehead Scholar. Robert received his law degree from Duke University in 1978.

Robert married Anna Dorsett Paschal in 1975, and they have three children. He is active in White Memorial Presbyterian Church, where he has served as a Stephen Minister, Deacon, Elder and Chairman of the Building Committee. He has served on the Rex Healthcare Foundation Executive Committee, Grants and Distribution Committee and Board of Directors, and he is past Chairman of the Wake II Selection Committee for the Morehead Scholar awards at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. His hobbies include sports and fitness, coastal visits and boating, yard work and architecture.

Reported Decisions:

• Ward v. Durham Life Ins. Co., 325 N.C. 202 (Addresses insurer and agent responsibility for misrepresentations on application for life insurance)
• Tetterton v. Long Mfg. Co., 314 N.C. 44 (six-year statute of repose in wrongful death/products liability action upheld as constitutional)