For more than 30 years, Hoyt Tessener has tried the really tough cases. They’re the kinds of cases that few have the stomach to try – emotional, heart-wrenching, difficult.
Admitted to practice before the United States Supreme Court and having tried more than 100 cases in state and federal courts throughout North Carolina with multiple verdict awards of $1,000,000 or more,1 lawyers and judges and others who know Hoyt respect his confidence, tenacity, and meticulous preparation.His clients know he will champion their cause, and fight tooth and nail for them. They’re in a terrible place in their lives, and they’re often scared, confused and in need of help. Hoyt’s honest and humble approach puts them at ease. He uses his experience on the other side of the aisle, representing big corporations like the very insurance companies his clients are fighting, to his clients’ advantage.
Hoyt was raised in the textile town of Shelby, NC. He eventually attended NC State University – the first in his family to ever attend college. He chose NC State because it had a textile program, but that industry rapidly declined with jobs moving overseas. Hoyt then attended Campbell University School of Law, learned the art of litigation and won the Rick Edmonson mock appellate competition with the highest score possible, and 10 Book Awards – the highest number achieved at that time.
He entered the practice of law, and in 1997, he was invited by noted trial lawyer Gerry Spence to his nationally acclaimed Trial Lawyers College, and subsequently joined its college faculty. His success eventually landed him right back at Campbell University School of Law teaching jury selection as an adjunct professor, something he’s done since 1999. He is also chair of Campbell’s Board of Visitors, which assists the dean, faculty, and leadership in developing and evaluating strategic planning efforts and launching initiatives.
Every year since 2006 he has been selected by his peers to be included as a “Super Lawyer”** in Super Lawyers magazine. Since 2008, his name has appeared on The Best Lawyers in America** annual list of Personal Injury Litigation – Plaintiffs, and Product Liability Litigation – Plaintiffs. That same publication designated Hoyt in 2016 as “Lawyer of the Year”** for the Raleigh area for Product Liability Litigation. And in 2015, Business North Carolina named him among the "Legal Elite".** Hoyt joined the Law Offices of James Scott Farrin in 2017 so he could try the tough cases for which he’s known with the resources and technology behind him to take his accomplished litigation skills to the next level. He is a shareholder of the firm and leader of the Litigation Department.
MEMBERSHIPS:
Admitted to the United States Supreme Court
Public Justice Foundation
Taxpayers Against Fraud
North Carolina State Bar
Georgia State Bar
American Association for Justice
North Carolina Bar Association
Former Chairman of the Litigation Section of the NCBA
Southern Trial Lawyers Association
Attorney Information Exchange Group
HONORS/AWARDS/ACCOMPLISHMENTS:
“Super Lawyers”2 by Super Lawyers magazine, 2006–2019
“Best Lawyers”2 for Personal Injury Litigation – Plaintiffs, and Product Liability Litigation – Plaintiffs by Best Lawyers in America, 2008–2020
“Lawyer of the Year”2 Product Liability Litigation by Best Lawyers in America, 2016
Business North Carolina’s “Legal Elite,”2 2015
Martindale-Hubbell AV Pre-eminent Rating**
COMMUNITY & CIVIC INVOLVEMENT:
Adjunct professor Campbell University for 20 years
Campbell Law School Board of Visitors, Chair
Bipartisan candidate for NC Superior Court Judge 2016
Hoyt Q. Bailey Endowment, Inc., President
Family Promise Board of Directors
Governor’s Crime Commission
*Each case is unique and must be evaluated on its own merits. Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome.
**For more information regarding the standards for inclusion for the awards listed visit: www.superlawyers.com www.bestlawyers.com www.businessnc.com www.martindale.com.