Attorneys

Partner | Attorney

Partner | Attorney

Associate Attorney

Associate Attorney

Of Counsel

Of Counsel

ASSOCIATE ATTORNEY

Zack Kaplan

Zack Kaplan believes that we all have a moral obligation to seek justice for all. Accordingly, he is passionate about representing people whose rights have been violated, who have been wrongfully injured, and who have been marginalized by systems of power. He engages in all areas of the firm’s practice, including state and federal constitutional claims, police and prison misconduct, and appellate litigation.


Zack attended UNC-Chapel Hill, where his experiences as a student leader and community organizer forged a commitment to advocating for racial justice and education equity in North Carolina. After graduating, he became a fifth grade teacher in Durham. He loved his time in the classroom and continues to seek out opportunities to engage with students and families. Zack then attended Duke Law School, where he served as the president of the Moot Court Board and editor of the Alaksa Law Review. He graduated with honors and was admitted to the North Carolina Bar in 2021.

After law school, Zack served as a judicial law clerk to Justice Robin E. Hudson on the Supreme Court of North Carolina and Judge James A. Wynn on the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit. He also served as a Dellinger Fellow at the North Carolina Department of Justice, where he worked on state and federal appellate litigation, including before the U.S. Supreme Court.

Personal Life

Outside of the office, Zack enjoys reading memoirs and cheering for the Tar Heels and Miami Dolphins. He lives in Durham with his wife Ashley (a pediatric oncology nurse) and their adorable dogs Hartley and Mia. Zack joined Ballew Puryear as an associate attorney in 2024.

  • Credentials
  • Reported Appellate Cases
  • Professional Highlights
Credentials

Bar Admissions

  • North Carolina State Courts
  • U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of North Carolina
  • U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit

Education

  • J.D., Duke Law School, 2021 (Honors)
  • B.A., University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, 2015 (Honors)
Reported Appellate Cases

Reported Cases

• In re Chastain, 283A22-2 (N.C. Dec. 13, 2024).

Professional Highlights

Awards and Recognitions

  • Robert E. Bryant Award for Public Service, UNC Chapel Hill, 2014
  • Justin Miller Award for Citizenship, Duke Law School, 2021
  • NCAJ NEXT Class of 2024

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