Ralph L. McCaughan

Ralph McCaughan’s law career spans 40 years, beginning in private practice in Florida. In 1988 Ralph joined Walker Lambe where he is now “of counsel” at the firm. Ralph’s legal practice is focused on estate planning and trust law. He is also Associate University Counsel for Duke University, where he is principally involved in technology transfer, corporate finance, and charitable giving involving estates and trusts. Ralph has lectured extensively on estate planning and charitable giving, as well as issues relating to tax-exempt organizations.

Ralph McCaughan was born in Gainesville, Florida. Before joining the Counsels office at Duke, Ralph was engaged in an active private practice in Florida, with emphasis on estate planning, banking, and real estate. He practiced in the Fort Lauderdale, Florida firm of English, McCaughan & O'Bryan from 1966 through 1981. Ralph has served as an adjunct faculty member at the Duke University School of Law where he taught a seminar on estate planning. He is also a Certified Mediator for matters in Superior Court.

Ralph McCaughan is a jazz aficionado, and can occasionally be seen around Durham performing jazz with fellow musicians. He is a founder, and has served on the Board of Directors, of the Jazz Foundation of North Carolina, Incorporated.