Kevin Y. Zhao

A Charlotte native, Kevin is a graduate of Duke University School of Law and North Carolina State University.  While at Duke Law, he served as the Editor-in-Chief of the Duke Journal of Constitutional Law & Public Policy.  

Prior to joining Maynard Nexsen, Kevin clerked for the Honorable Frank D. Whitney of the U.S. District Court for the Western District of North Carolina.  During his clerkship, Kevin gained experience on a wide range of federal civil litigation issues including CAFA class action, ERISA, trademark, and patent cases.

Kevin focuses his current practice on complex business and construction litigation.  He has previously represented large corporate clients in a variety of commercial litigation matters including: breach of contract, securities law, trade secret, and class action claims.  Kevin prioritizes client service and was named to Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch in Commercial Litigation in 2022 and 2023.

Outside Maynard Nexsen

Before attending law school, Kevin served low-income communities in Eastern North Carolina by teaching 5th grade science as a Teach for America Corps member.  Kevin remains passionate to this day about providing equal educational opportunities to all North Carolina students.  In law school, Kevin worked to advocate for special needs students through the Duke Children’s Law Clinic and prepared an amicus brief to the North Carolina Supreme Court advocating for equal educational rights under the North Carolina Constitution.  After graduating from law school, Kevin served on the KIPP: Charlotte Board of Directors (a public charter school network which aims to provide equal college access to children from low-income families).

In his free time, Kevin enjoys cooking, playing pickleball, and watching professional soccer.

Recognition

• Listed in Best Lawyers, "Ones to Watch" for Commercial Litigation (2022-present), Criminal Defense: White-Collar (2024-present)