By Michele Lynn
Dean Riddle (BA ’81, JD ’85) bleeds Carolina blue. It’s not surprising since a love of Carolina runs deep throughout his family. Dean, his twin brother, Gene, and their sister, Shari, all received their undergraduate degrees from UNC. Gene’s daughter, Arden, is a junior at the university while his older daughter, Alexandra (BA ’17, JD ’20), now works for her dad alongside Christina Stone (BAMJ ’17, JD ’20). Dean’s dad, Gene Arden Riddle, earned both his master’s degree and doctorate in education from UNC. And while family matriarch Beth Riddle did not attend UNC, she is so proud of the university that she counts herself as an honorary alum. That commitment to Carolina is reflected in the generous philanthropy of Dean and Gene and their commitment to hiring Carolina Law graduates.
A Stanly County native, Dean grew up in Aberdeen and Southern Pines, North Carolina. Dean considers himself an “old country lawyer” since he and his brother grew up working on their grandfather’s farm where they tended cattle, pigs, and chickens, and helped grow and market watermelon, corn, and cantaloupe. In their small town, the family’s love of UNC began as they watched the men’s basketball teams, coached by Dean Smith, excel throughout the 1960s and 1970s. For the twins, selecting Carolina for college was an easy choice.
Serving as a page in the Raleigh statehouse for his local state representative, Dean met many members of the state assembly and senate who were also lawyers. “That experience was one that made me aware of my possible desire to go to law school,” he says. After earning his bachelor’s degree, Dean took a year off from school to sell cars, wanting to make sure that law school was the right path. He then enrolled in the UNC School of Law, a decision for which he remains grateful.
“When I was at the law school, there were good people all the way around, including professors and students,” he says. “It was a supportive environment which positioned me for the great life I lead.” He notes that when he attended Carolina Law, the annual tuition was less than $400. “When I look at the cost benefit analysis of that degree, I’m way ahead of the game,” he says. “I feel very fortunate and thankful that UNC is such a wonderful university.”
Dean is a founding shareholder in Riddle & Williams, P.C.—the firm he opened in Dallas in 1993—which represents condominium and property owners’ associations, including residential, commercial and mixed-use developments, and developers. With a focus on litigation, Dean has served as lead counsel on a number of construction defect cases. He recalled a memorable case. “We represented a high-rise condominium with severe construction defects, including fire and life safety issues,” he said. “The municipality threatened to force an eviction of all residents unless my client presented a proposal to remedy the defects along with a plan to pay for it. We were able to win our client enough money to avoid eviction, fund all repairs and pay for all legal costs and expenses of the lawsuit. That is a feel-good result that I can’t duplicate with anything else.”
“My firm represents people where I think we can help them the most: at home.” Last year, he hired Grant M. Figari ’20 as an associate at his firm. “I wanted a Tar Heel grad because I want to support Chapel Hill,” says Dean.
Dean is also a founding shareholder and Chief Executive Officer of Collectronics, Inc., a software-as-a-service (SaaS) provider that has transformed the assessment collection and foreclosure industry on behalf of community associations. Dean and his law partner, Lance E. Williams, created Collectronics’® flagship application, CollectMinder®, to help them better manage and track the tens of thousands of cases referred to them for collection.
Over the course of his career, during which he practiced with the law firms Hyatt & Rhoads and LeBoeuf, Lamb, Leiby & MacRae, Dean developed substantial and diverse litigation experience in both state and federal courts. He recently authored the condominium foreclosure chapter of the State Bar of Texas Foreclosure Manual (third edition).
Dean says that it feels natural to show his appreciation for his alma mater by investing in it. “My mom, who was a school teacher, and dad, who served as the superintendent of Moore County schools, invested everything they had in my brother, sister and me. Our parents gave us so many opportunities. Carolina professors also invested their time, knowledge, wisdom, and care in me,” he says. “Since my family has always been in love with Chapel Hill and UNC, I’m just honoring that commitment and investing in the future of Carolina.”
He and his wife, Courtney, make an annual financial gift to The Rams Club, which supports UNC’s student-athletes. “We love Tar Heel sports,” he says. “Courtney and I wanted to commit to women’s sports since, historically, they don’t get the same attention or monetary commitment as men.” The couple also recently established a generous planned giving bequest to Carolina Law so that their commitment can live on. “We don’t do these things for recognition,” says Dean. “It’s a way to show how very thankful we are.”
Gifts to the law school count toward the Campaign for Carolina, the most ambitious public University fundraising campaign in the Southeast and in University history. UNC School of Law aims to raise $75 million to increase the competitiveness of the school and develop lawyer-leaders who impact North Carolina and beyond. Help us reach this goal and preserve Carolina Law’s future as a cherished public institution. Give now!
