T. LaFontine "Fountain" Odom Sr.
704-837-2597
T. LaFontine Fountain Odom, Sr. has been rated the highest grade for attorneys by Martindale-Hubbell, AV, for many years. Fountain has demonstrated his dedication to helping ordinary citizens and small businesses against government taking of their property or unreasonable governmental regulatory acts. He has represented over 500 persons and businesses in direct or indirect eminent domain litigation cases that resulted in multi-million dollar verdicts and settlements. Injured clients have also benefited from Fountain's experience and expertise in the personal injury area of the law.
Fountain Odom was born in
His blended family consists of 6 children and 11 grandchildren. His hobbies include beekeeping, growing Christmas trees, owning a vineyard, composing music, and establishing a nutraceutical company.
His public service includes 14 years as a North Carolina State Senator, 6 years as a Mecklenburg County Commissioner (2 years as Chair and 2 years as Vice Chair) and 6 years on the Mecklenburg County Parks and Recreation Commission (2 years as Chairman).
A newspaper profile on Fountain Odom referred to him as an uncommon common man. He has received numerous awards, including a Presidential citation and American Red Cross award for saving a young boy from drowning and more recently Beekeeper of the year from the North Carolina State Beekeepers Association.
Areas of Practice
- Contracts
- Business Law
- Environmental Law
- Personal Injury Civil Litigation
- Condemnation
- Administrative Law
Bar Admissions
- North Carolina, 1962
Education
- University of North Carolina School of Law, Chapel Hill, North Carolina
- LL.B - 1962
- Honors: Phi Alpha Delta
- University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, North Carolina
- A.B. - 1960
Representative Cases
- Long v. City of Charlotte, 306 N.C. 187, 293 S.E. 2d 101 (1982)
- Northwestern Fin. Group, Inc. v. County of Gaston, 329 N.C. 180, 405 S.E. 2d 138 (1991)
- Department of Transportation v. Elm Land, 163 N.C. App. 257, 593 S.E.2d 131 (2004)
- Department of Transportation v. Elm Land, 358 N.C. 542, 599 S.E. 2d 42 (2004)
- City of Charlotte v. Hurlahe, 631 S.E. 2d 28 (N.C. App. 2006)
Professional Associations and Memberships
- North Carolina Bar Association, Member
- American Bar Association, Member
- American Association for Justice, Member
- North Carolina Academy of Trial Lawyers, Member
- North Carolina Supreme Court, Research Assistant, 1962 - 1963
- Assistant City Attorney, 1963 - 1964
- Mecklenburg County, Member, Board of Commissioners, 1980 - 1986
- Mecklenburg County, Vice Chairman, Board of Commissioners, 1980 - 1982
- Mecklenburg County, Chairman, Board of Commissioners, 1982 - 1984
- North Carolina Senate, Member, 1989 - 2002
- Carolinas Healthcare Systems, Board of Commissioners
