Michael Hedgepeth graduated cum laude from North Carolina State University with a degree in Economics. While a student at NC State, he was the president of the university’s Society for Politics, Economics, and Law where he learned how the three disciplines interrelate.
Michael went on to graduate summa cum laude from the Norman Adrian Wiggins School of Law at Campbell University where he was a senior staff writer for the Campbell Law Observer and served as co-valedictorian of his law school class. He received the J. Bryan Boyd Award for Excellence in Legal Journalism for his writing. He also earned 12 Book Awards for achieving the highest academic average in a variety of disciplines, and he was awarded the Calhoun Advocacy Award for earning the highest academic average in Campbell Law’s Trial and Appellate Advocacy program.
In 2013, Michael’s mock trial team brought home a national championship in the largest invitational trial competition in America – the South Texas Mock Trial Challenge. While in law school, Michael interned for Justice Paul Newby at the North Carolina Supreme Court and Rep. David Lewis in the North Carolina General Assembly.
An attorney in Hedrick Gardner’s Charlotte office, Michael practices in the area of Workers’ Compensation and is capable of handling all aspects of injury by accident and occupational disease claims. Michael’s background in economics helps him better understand the needs of employers and insurance companies alike, and he takes pride in helping his clients achieve efficient results.
In his second year of practice, Michael was included on the 2015 Business North Carolina’s Legal Elite list. Each year Business North Carolina magazine publishes a listing of the top lawyers in business-related categories. Fewer than 3% of the state’s lawyers made the list in 2015.
In his free time, Michael enjoys watching live stand-up comedy and makes a point to see his favorite comedians when they perform in Charlotte. He also enjoys cheering for the Carolina Panthers and dining in Charlotte’s great restaurant scene.
PROFESSIONAL AND CIVIC INVOLVEMENT:
- North Carolina Association of Defense Attorneys
- Mecklenburg County Bar Association
HONORS:
- Included on the 2015 & 2018 Business North Carolina’s Legal Elite list in the Young Guns category
- Selected by peers for inclusion in The Best Lawyers in America© 2020 – 2023 in the field of Workers’ Compensation Law – Employers
- Selected to the North Carolina Rising Stars list published nationwide in Super Lawyers® Magazine in 2020 – 2023