Richard Koch

Richard M. Koch has practiced law in North Carolina continuously since 1978, bringing nearly five decades of legal experience to the representation of businesses, individuals, and governmental entities. Over the course of his 48-year career, he has handled a broad range of legal matters and has developed a practical understanding of the legal, business, and administrative issues that clients face. His background gives him the ability to look at legal problems from multiple perspectives and to understand how legal decisions can affect a client’s broader business, financial, and operational interests.

Mr. Koch earned his undergraduate degree from Washington and Lee University in 1975, graduating cum laude. He then attended Wake Forest University School of Law, where he served as a member of the Wake Forest Law Review and received his law degree in 1978. Since becoming licensed that same year, he has remained an active member of the North Carolina legal profession.

He is admitted to practice before all North Carolina state courts, as well as the United States District Courts for the Western District of North Carolina and the Middle District of North Carolina. His extensive experience in both state and federal matters allows him to advise clients with an understanding of the different legal and procedural issues that can arise across jurisdictions.

Mr. Koch has received an AV rating from Martindale-Hubbell, its highest lawyer rating. This recognition reflects the professional regard he has earned within the legal community over a career spanning several decades. He has also been inducted into The Order of the Long Leaf Pine, the highest civilian honor awarded by the State of North Carolina. The honor is presented in recognition of exceptional service to the state and its communities.

Throughout his career, Mr. Koch has represented a large number of businesses and individuals across North Carolina. His work has required him to address a wide variety of legal questions, giving him experience with the kinds of issues that arise in the day-to-day operation of businesses, organizations, and public entities. His approach is informed not only by years of legal practice, but also by his substantial experience serving in positions of public responsibility.

Mr. Koch has served as Cabarrus County Attorney and as Town Attorney for the Town of Harrisburg. In those roles, he functioned in many respects as general counsel to the local governments he represented. His responsibilities involved advising public officials and addressing a broad spectrum of legal and business matters affecting governmental operations. That experience gave him a firsthand understanding of how legal decisions intersect with administration, policy, finance, operations, and the practical needs of public institutions.

In addition, Mr. Koch has served as an administrative law judge, or hearing examiner, for the North Carolina Occupational Safety and Health Review Commission. In that capacity, he was responsible for hearing and evaluating matters involving North Carolina occupational safety and health laws and regulations. This experience added another dimension to his legal background by requiring careful analysis, impartial decision-making, and a detailed understanding of administrative proceedings.

After 48 years in practice, Mr. Koch brings clients a depth of experience that comes from representing private clients, advising governmental bodies, and serving in a quasi-judicial role. That combination of private practice, public service, and administrative experience provides a broad foundation for evaluating complex legal matters and developing practical solutions. His career reflects a longstanding commitment to the practice of law in North Carolina and to providing informed, practical legal counsel grounded in decades of experience.