About Ralph McCaughan
With almost forty years experience as an attorney, Ralph McCaughan has helped hundreds of families work through the complexities of estate planning, tax planning and charitable giving. Ralph is "of counsel" to the firm, concentrating in 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. He has lectured on estate planning and charitable giving, as well as issues relating to tax-exempt organizations.

Experience
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. In addition to speaking on charitable giving, estate planning and related topics, Ralph has served as an adjunct faculty member at the Duke University School of Law where he taught a seminar on estate planning. Ralph's memberships include the American Bar Association, North Carolina Bar Association, Durham County Bar Association, and the Duke University Estate Planning Council. Mr. McCaughan is a Certified Mediator for matters in Superior Court.

Education
Ralph McCaughan received both his A.B. degree (1961) and his law degree (1966) from Duke University. Admitted to practice law in North Carolina, Florida, and the District of Columbia, Mr. McCaughan is a member of the National Association of College and University Attorneys, the North Carolina Bar Association, and the American Bar Association. He was admitted to the United States District Court (S.D. Florida) in 1970, and the United States Tax Court in 1971.

Personal
Mr. McCaughan is married to Sue McCaughan. He is an active member of Westminster Presbyterian Church in Durham, is a jazz aficionado, and is an amateur jazz musician himself. Mr. McCaughan was commissioned as a supply officer in the United States Naval Reserve in 1961, and served on active duty as the Supply Officer of the U.S.S. Basilone (DD-824) from 1961-1963. Mr. McCaughan is a founder, and is currently the Chairperson of the Board of Directors, of the Jazz Foundation of North Carolina, Incorporated.