Fighting for equal rights and justice is the only career John Taylor ever considered. A native of Chapel Hill, North Carolina, he’s the product of a family and community that taught him early on that injustices occur every day in this world, great and small — but we are not powerless against these wrongs. We have the power to bring about justice if we stand up for our rights and the Rule of Law. In his legal practice, John strives to do just that by representing people who have been defrauded, discriminated against, injured or killed by negligence and wrongdoing. He looks forward to the challenge of litigating against corporations and insurance companies who aim to manipulate an already stacked deck to avoid accountability for harming innocent people.
John has achieved great success in his legal career by helping win many substantial verdicts and settlements for his clients. He was a named partner at his prior law firm of Zaytoun Ballew & Taylor before leaving to found the John Taylor Law Firm. He has been recognized as a “Super Lawyer” in personal injury litigation for 2022 and 2023 and was recognized as a “Rising Star” by Super Lawyers in each previous year since 2016.
After graduating from Chapel Hill High School, John attended the University of Georgia, majoring in History and rooting on the “Dawgs” on Saturdays. He returned home to study law at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, earning his JD in 2011.
John spent his summers during law school as an intern at the Orange County Public Defender’s Office where he zealously represented accused clients in District Court. He also practiced in the UNC Civil Legal Assistance Clinic and took great joy in successfully advocating for underprivileged clients in landlord/tenant actions and unemployment matters. These practical experiences reinforced his calling to represent individual people as they navigate a confusing legal system — a labyrinth that too often favors governments and corporations at the expense of people’s rights.
Before entering private practice in 2012, John worked as a law clerk to former Commissioner Chris Scott at the North Carolina Industrial Commission and drafted opinions for the Full Commission in workers’ compensation cases and claims against the State of North Carolina under the Tort Claims Act.
John and his family live in Raleigh, North Carolina. He enjoys live music, sports, and family time.
Bar Admissions:
State of North Carolina, 2011
Tenth Judicial District Bar, 2011
U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of North Carolina
U.S. District Court for the Middle District of North Carolina
U.S. Court of Appeals, Fourth Circuit
U.S. Court of Federal Claims
Education:
J.D., The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, 2011
B.A., The University of Georgia, 2007
Presentations:
Presenter, NC Unfair and Deceptive Trade Practices Act Case Law Update (2015 NCAJ Annual Convention, Sunset Beach, N.C.)
Presenter, NC Unfair and Deceptive Trade Practices Act Case Law Update (2016 NCAJ Annual Convention, Wilmington, N.C.)
Host, Direct and Cross Examinations in a Med Mal Trial: How to Be Prepared for Any Type of Witness (April 26, 2019, NC Advocates for Justice Headquarters, Raleigh, NC)
Papers and Publications:
Reducing Their Lien: Resolving Claims Under North Carolina’s New Medicaid Subrogation Statute, N.C. Gen. Stat. 108A-57 NCAJ Trial Briefs Magazine, February 2015.
Meeting the Deadline: Checklist for Statutes of Limitations and Repose in Medical Negligence Cases. NCAJ Trial Briefs Magazine, October 2015.
Notable Appellate Cases:
Martin v. Moreau, et al, ___ N.C. App. ___, 770 S.E.2d 390 (2015).
Aesthetic Facial & Ocular Plastic Surgery Center, P.A. v. Zaldivar, ___ N.C. App. ___, 826 S.E.2d 723 (March 19 2019), disc. review denied, ___ N.C. ___ (November 4, 2019).
Suarez v. American Ramp Company and Town of Swansboro, ___ N.C. App. ___, 831 S.E.2d 885 (August 6, 2019), disc. review denied, ___ N.C. ___ (December 4, 2019).
Livingston, et al v. Kehagias, et al, 803 F. App’x 673 (4th Cir. 2020).
Dunhill Holdings, LLC v. Lindberg, ___ N.C. App. ___, 870 S.E.2d 636 (2022).
Professional, Civic and Community Activities:
Member – North Carolina State Bar
Member – Wake County Bar Association
Member – North Carolina Advocates for Justice (Member, 2011- Present; Member of the Professional Negligence Section and Auto-Torts Section; Professional Negligence Section Membership Co-Chair; 2013-2017; NCAJ Membership Committee 2013-2017).
Mentor – Raleigh YMCA Community Hope Program, 2013-2015
Member – St. Michael’s Episcopal Church, Raleigh, NC