A Raleigh Legacy of Legal Excellence
Founders of the firm, George Ragsdale and Frank Liggett, met in the late 1960s through a relative of George, who was also a close personal friend of Frank’s, Carl Ragsdale. In the early 1970s following his service as the youngest Superior Court judge in North Carolina at that time, George returned to the private practice of law. Frank, a corporate law rising star, was a named partner in another Raleigh law firm. Frank and George were working for different insurance clients at the time and developed a mutual respect for each other’s professionalism and technical legal prowess. After several discussions about their respective professional aspirations, they decided to join forces and formed the law firm of Ragsdale & Liggett on February 1, 1972. George and Frank were devoted friends and partners for more than half a century.
Over the years, George and Frank remained unshakably dedicated to each other while adapting themselves and the firm to the dynamic legal climate in Raleigh. From their days respecting and honoring the traditional sensibilities of an old-line sophisticated law firm to embracing the increasing diversity among the firm’s ranks, they pioneered new paradigms for flexible working schedules and financial arrangements which were tailored to the individual circumstances of the firm’s professionals. Known as formidable opponents, passionate advocates and dedicated community servants, George Ragsdale and Frank Liggett earned the respect of lawyers throughout the state. Equally respected within the firm, they were thoughtful about their succession planning, managing the firm quite well through their transition into retirement, both by training younger lawyers to manage the firm while instilling in the future leaders of the firm the professional values and community service commitment which they both exemplified.