Lincoln Derr PLLC

We are thrilled to announce the complete vindication of our clients in a False Claims Act case brought by a former-employee whistleblower and intervened on by the United States and the State of North Carolina.

The plaintiffs alleged our cardiology-practice client submitted claims to Medicare and Medicaid for medically unnecessary procedures between 2014 and 2017. From the beginning of this case, our clients asserted that their care and treatment of their patients was reasonable and necessary and that they had not made any claims to Medicare or Medicaid for medically unnecessary procedures.

The jury listened carefully to the evidence and agreed that of the 28 claims submitted, none of them were false. Sara Lincoln, Phoebe Coddington, Kayla Green, Kelly Vecchio (who sadly lost her battle with cancer before getting to enjoy this victory), and Katherine Screen were the Lincoln Derr team charged with defending the integrity of our clients. It is unusual for healthcare fraud cases to go to trial, and we give a great deal of credit to our clients for having the fortitude to prove that they were right all along.

Congratulations to Sara Lincoln, Phoebe Coddington, and Erin Alfaro, NCCP on securing a defense verdict in Cumberland County on August 21! Plaintiff alleged that our client failed to diagnose cervical spine disease leading to the plaintiff’s ultimate quadriparesis. This was a challenging case with a very sympathetic plaintiff, who was one of the nicest people we have ever had to oppose.

The jurors who spoke with us after the trial said that our expert witnesses carried the day along with our adept use of technology in the courtroom. Congratulations to this outstanding trial team. This was LD’s 6th trial in 2025 and we are excited to keep things rolling through the end of 2025! 🏆

Lincoln Derr is honored to be named one of the Best Women-Led Law Firms in the state by North Carolina Lawyers Weekly. This recognition reflects our firm's achievements across diverse practice areas, our deep-rooted community engagement, and the strength of our leadership and mentorship.

Being a women-led law firm means leading with resilience, intention, and a commitment to excellence. Lincoln Derr was founded to challenge the status quo -- offering an alternative to the traditional law firm model. Our team understands firsthand the barriers women face in the legal profession, and we actively work to dismantle them. For us, it's not just about who leads the firm -- it's about how we use that leadership to elevate others and create lasting impact in the legal community.

We are most proud of the exceptional team we've built and the meaningful results we've delivered for our clients over the past 16 years. Delivering outstanding service is our top priority, and we believe our sustained success is rooted in the collaborative, high-performance culture we've cultivated from day one.

Thank you to North Carolina Lawyers Weekly for this recognition, and to our peers and the broader legal community for your continued support.

You can read our full feature in the North Carolina Lawyers Weekly special section, "In the Lead: Best Women-Led Law Firms 2025", on page 11.

Chambers and Partners USA 2025 has ranked Lincoln Derr in Band 1 for Litigation: Medical Malpractice Defense - North Carolina, placing us among the most respected firms in this area of practice.

In addition to the firm's recognition, co-founders Sara Lincoln and Tricia Derr have each been individually ranked in Band 1 for their leadership, insight, and consistent results.

Thank you to our clients and colleagues for your continued trust and support. This recognition is more than an honor -- it's a reflection of the meaningful work we've done together, and the relationships that make it possible. It also speaks to the strength of our entire team, whose collaboration and commitment are at the heart of everything we do.

Read more here:

Lincoln Derr PLLC, Litigation | Chambers USA Profile Gain insights on the legal knowledge of Lincoln Derr PLLC in the practice area of Litigation department and discover their rankings.

We're excited to announce that Sara Lincoln will join some of America's top trial lawyers and judges to teach at the upcoming Building Trial Skills: North Carolina program.

This program, developed by the premier provider of trial skills training, offers hands-on instruction and personalized feedback in a supportive, encouraging environment. NITA's learning-by-doing approach allows participants to take risks, experiment, and focus on each skill, helping them build expertise and develop their own unique advocacy style.

For more information about this program, please visit https://www.nita.org/NC.

We look forward to seeing you there!