The Law Office of Drew Haywood, PLLC

08/31/2026

For all the coaches and participants out there, be sure to join us on September 15th, at four pm, for the kickoff event! We’ll be dropping this year’s case at the conclusion of the program! Another year of North Carolina Mock Trial about to kick off!

Join the NC Mock Trial Program Board and Staff as we wave the green flag and get the 2027 Competition Season started! We'll release the 2027 case, discuss changes for this season and hear from legal experts.

Tuesday, September 15, 2026
4:00 pm
Zoom
Registration Link on the NC Mock Trial website

08/18/2026

This is a fascinating study from WSJ about the property and casualty insurance business. Most think an insurance company must do X in the event of a loss. Insurance companies aren't required to do much of anything. As someone in the industry, I don't think insurance companies are evil, by default. They are also necessary. Having said that, they aren't looking out for you. And the claims process has become more and more complex, with time.

This study shows that 45% of liability claims in auto cases closed in 2025 without a payment. Up from 35% a decade earlier. The fire and casualty insurers as a whole (which encompasses auto claims as well), reported over $68 billion in underwriting gains last year, up from $25 billion in 2024.

All of this is to say these claims are difficult and complex, and even the smartest, most hard-working, of folks, don't understand how to deal with these, because they don't deal with the process regularly. Be sure to call if you have a claim, and speak with someone right here locally.

(TestMiles) – Auto claims closed without payment reached 45% for liability and medical cases in 2025 as industry underwriting income hit a record $68.7 billion. Buying insurance is easy. Disc…

07/28/2026

Tragic. I see these far too often. Please, folks, be aware that there are pedestrians, cyclists, and things other than cars that use our roads. Always be on the lookout. And note, we don't know what happened here. If you're a pedestrian, or on a bike or driving a golf cart, please be aware that others may not be specifically looking for you. Godspeed to those involved here.

06/16/2026

Folks, I had someone call me today who had been targeted by a VERY convincing jury duty scam. I'm posting a link to Durham County's Information page here for you. Durham County will NEVER call you asking for information, and if you are concerned you may have missed a subpoena, they provide a number you can call to verify. These scams are getting worse, so be on the lookout!

Every two years, a three-person Jury Commission supervises the compilation of a master jury list of county residents who are registered voters, licensed drivers, or both. Persons selected for jury duty are selected at random from the master list.

04/03/2026

I'd just like to point out that I bet Clarence Darrow never spent an hour on the phone holding for Medicare....

03/13/2026

Excited to be helping out with the State Championship this weekend at I love being involved with this program every year! Good luck to all the kids this year!

02/14/2026

To my clients and friends, I'm sorry I have been slow to respond this week! I have been in trial and we hope to finish Monday (or Tuesday). Up to the jury, as these things go. I've tried to stay in touch with folks this week and I promise to get back to a more regular schedule once this is finished. Be well, everyone!

02/07/2026

Excited to be helping out with the Hillsborough Regional for NC Mock Trial today. Thankful for a wonderful supporter in Mark Kleinschmidt, the Orange County Clerk of Court, who hosts us every year.

Also thankful for Carlos Mahoney and Brad Bannon for their generous sponsorship.

And finally a thank you to Rebecca Ugolick and Robby Jessup who come in every year to help out.

It takes a village, folks!

01/20/2026

Many employers hire a third party entity to work to recoup health insurance benefits your insurance plan has paid on your behalf after a you have been injured. This might seem logical, at first, until you realize that you have been paying X dollars monthly for premiums for that plan. The plan reaps a windfall.

The primary entity employers and health insurance companies use is a company called the Rawlings Company. Here is a good article on their business practices. Companies and local governments (think city and county) hire them, then they get a cut of what they recoup, so there is zero incentive to think of you, as the injured party.

George Rawlings grabs a stack of computer printouts and stretches them six feet across his office, admiring data from police reports of Florida auto

01/05/2026

Folks, I was fortunate enough today to get to argue a motion in the Old Orange County Courthouse. It was great fun to serve in that historic building.

With a new year, comes another North Carolina Mock Trial Program and it's just around the corner. I'm organizing the Hillsborough Regional this year, where Orange County Clerk Mark Kleinschmidt has graciously allowed us to use the courthouse again.

If you are a local attorney or judge, and would like to help us, the link is here, you can sign up online: https://ncmocktrial.org/get-involved/

I'm so proud to be a part of this program and it can't be overstated how meaningful it is to these kids. We'd love to have you!

Get involved with the competition by donating, coaching, partnering, or judging!