Gene Riddle

Award-Winning Attorney Gene Riddle

Gene Riddle is a founding member of Riddle & Riddle Injury Lawyers, a law firm that employs 10 attorneys with more than 190 years of combined legal experience. He is an experienced and award-winning trial attorney (see disclaimer below). Since 2000 alone, Gene’s firm has recovered over $850 million in total compensation for clients (see disclaimer below). Gene is quick to stress his family’s deep North Carolina ties. A Stanly County native, he grew up in Aberdeen after moving from Albemarle. He has practiced law in North Carolina since September 1985.

Gene’s parents were both educators. His father, a longtime superintendent of Moore County Schools, encouraged him to go to law school after college.

“My dad is probably the most honest person that was ever born,” Gene says. “Honest to a fault. He said we needed more honest lawyers, and I’d be a good one.”

Today, Gene believes honesty, integrity, and willingness to work hard are the bedrock principles of a good attorney. That is what he and the other lawyers at Riddle & Brantley provide to their injured clients. Gene spends much of his time reviewing cases as well as instructing and supervising attorneys and paralegals. However, he also continues to directly handle cases as the lead attorney and he touches most of the personal injury cases that come into the firm.

“There’s nothing better than helping injured victims get the justice and compensation they deserve.”

–Gene Riddle, attorney and founding partner, Riddle & Brantley

NORTH CAROLINA PERSONAL INJURY LAWYER COMMITTED TO EXCELLENT CLIENT SERVICE

Gene is particularly proud of his firm’s pledge to respond to phone calls and e-mails after hours and on weekends. As a result, he monitors almost all inquiries received.

Gene takes on a wide range of cases throughout North Carolina, including car accidents, truck accidents, motorcycle accidents, premises liability, product liability, dog bites, wrongful death, and workplace accidents. He also represents clients in cases involving dangerous drugs, defective medical devices, and defective consumer products. In every case, Gene’s objective is to obtain justice and maximum compensation for his clients.

“The client’s needs and goals are most important.”

–Gene Riddle, attorney and founding partner, Riddle & Brantley

A REPUTATION FOR SUCCESS

In more than 40 years serving the people of North Carolina, Gene Riddle has personally represented thousands of clients, securing millions of dollars in compensation for damages suffered due to others’ negligence (see disclaimer below). Some of Gene’s most notable settlements and verdicts (see disclaimer below) include:

• $9,450,000 | Truck Accident & Wrongful Death — Gene and another Riddle & Brantley attorney represented surviving loved ones after a family of four was tragically killed in a terrible tractor-trailer accident on a busy North Carolina highway. Riddle & Brantley launched a comprehensive accident investigation and proved liability on the part of a truck driver and a pavement marking company. We filed two lawsuits against the truck insurance company and pavement marketing company, ultimately securing $9.45 million in total compensation in separate pre-trial settlements.
• $5,000,000 | Constitutional Rights Violation — Gene Riddle represented five women who were sexually assaulted by a sheriff’s deputy while incarcerated in jail. Gene fought for justice, arguing that the deputy’s actions represented “cruel and unual punishment,” a violation of his clients’ constitutional rights. Lawsuits filed against the county and sheriff’s deputy were settled prior to trial. Attorney Riddle later represented victims in a separate federal lawsuit, ultimately securing $1.5 million in actual damages and $3.5 million in punitive damages, totaling $5 million in compensation for his clients. Attorney Thomas Loflin III assisted in the case.
• $2,750,000 | Truck Accident & Workers’ Compensation — Attorney Riddle partnered with Riddle & Riddle attorney Adam Smith to file separate personal injury and workers’ compensation claims after our client, a construction worker, was hit by a truck in a work zone and suffered devastating injuries, including the eventual loss of his right leg below the knee. We negotiated a settlement with the workers’ comp carrier representing policy limits, and filed a lawsuit against the truck insurance company after they denied liability. Ultimately, a settlement was negotiated prior to trial with total compensation for $2,750,000 for our deserving client.
• $1,900,000 | Pedestrian Accident — Gene Riddle and late partner Gene Jenkins represented a woman who was struck by a cement truck while crossing a parking lot on foot. She suffered multiple fractures and other injuries. Attorneys Riddle and Jenkins organized a thorough investigation, including analysis by an accident reconstructionist to prove liability. The case settled out of court for compensation totaling $1.9 million for our valued client.
• $1,500,000 | Personal Injury — Attorney Riddle fought for justice after our client suffered a disabling head injury when a tree limb cut by his employer fell on him. The employer did not have workers’ compensation so we filed a lawsuit, after which a judge awarded the injured victim $1.5 million in damages.

A PERSONAL MISSION

On his desk, Gene keeps a photo of 16-year-old girl, her parents’ only child. The girl died after a tractor-trailer hit her car in an intersection in Goldsboro. The initial investigation of the accident supported the truck driver’s version of the facts. He said he had a green light at the time of the accident. The girl’s devastated parents were not satisfied with the truck driver’s account, so they contacted North Carolina personal injury lawyer Gene Riddle. Our investigation revealed a different story.

Investigators tracked down eyewitnesses who contradicted the truck driver. Gene then hired accident reconstructionists whose forensic work showed that the truck driver had indeed run a red light. The trucking company’s insurers agreed with the new evidence and settled, paying the grieving parents $840,000 (see disclaimer below). Additionally, the truck driver faced charges for misdemeanor death by motor vehicle. He pled guilty and eventually lost his commercial driver’s license for a year.

“Nothing can make up for the loss of a loved one, but I’m proud to help surviving family members fight for justice.”

–Gene Riddle, attorney and founding partner, Riddle & Brantley

AWARDS AND RECOGNITION

Gene Riddle has been recognized for his experience and results by many prestigious organizations and awards (see disclaimer). Among these recognitions (see disclaimer below) are:

• The National Trial Lawyers Top 100
• Multi-Million Dollar Advocates Forum
• Million Dollar Advocates Forum
• The Litigator Award
• Super Lawyers
• The National Association of Distinguished Counsel
• AV Preeminent by Martindale-Hubbell
• Personal Injury “Power List” – NC Lawyers Weekly

In 2025, Gene's daughter, Alex, a graduate of UNC Law, was named a partner at the firm. The father-daughter duo were honored the same year when Riddle & Riddle was named a "Best Family-Run Law Firm" by North Carolina Lawyers Weekly.

However, the award Gene treasures most is the Old North State Award, which he received in 2009. The Old North State Award is presented by the Governor of North Carolina to individuals who have provided exemplary service and commitment to the state. Gene received it for his community service as a member and chairman of the Wayne County Board of Elections over four years.

Why does the Old North State Award mean so much to Gene? It is the state’s second-highest award. The state’s highest civilian award is induction by the Governor into the Order of the Longleaf Pine in recognition of service to the state. Gene’s father received an Order of the Longleaf Pine Award upon his retirement in 1999.

“I was very proud of that (Old North State) award because it’s just one step under my dad,” Gene says, “which is probably appropriate, because that’s my dad.”

FAMILY AND FREE TIME

Gene and his wife, Lee Ann, have two daughters and several pets, including two Westies — Otis and Franklin — who have appeared in numerous commercials. Church activities are also an important part of their lives. In his free time, Gene enjoys several sports, including tennis, golf and skiing. 

*** Disclaimer: The results mentioned are intended to illustrate the type of cases handled by the firm. These results do not guarantee a similar outcome, and they should not be construed to constitute a promise or guarantee of a particular result in any particular case. Every case is different, and the outcome of any case depends upon a variety of factors unique to that case.

*** Disclaimer: An attorney must meet certain requirements to join these organizations or receive these awards. For more information on Membership Criteria for Million Dollar Advocates Forum, Multi-Million Dollar Advocates Forum, Super Lawyers, Super Lawyers “Rising Star” designation, The National Trial Lawyers Top 100, The National Trial Lawyers Top 40 Under 40, The National Association of Distinguished Counsel, AV Preeminent designation by Martindale-Hubbell, the Litigator Award, and other memberships, awards, and accolades, please visit our Membership Criteria page. These awards and memberships should not be construed as a promise or guarantee of a similar result. Each case is different and must be evaluated separately.