The passing of G. Eugene Boyce on Oct. 28, 2025, marks the end of an era for North Carolina’s legal community. I had the honor of working briefly alongside Gene on the Goldston Highway Trust Fund litigation. That experience taught me more about constitutional law and legal ethics than years of practice could otherwise provide.
Gene’s life reads like a North Carolina version of “Mr. Smith Goes to Washington,” except his story was real and his impact profound. Born in Clinton during the Depression, raised in Raleigh, and educated at Wake Forest, Gene embodied the best of what this state produces: grit tempered by grace, determination guided by ethics, and success that never forgot its roots.
Gene built his reputation at Fletcher, Lake & Boyce as one of the state’s most principled and meticulous trial attorneys. He represented small-town clients in difficult cases, fought for fairness when unpopular, and combined intellect with empathy in the courtroom.
Gene’s role as assistant chief counsel on the Senate Watergate Committee elevated him to the national stage. Working under US Sen. Sam Ervin, Gene conducted the July 13, 1973, interview that led to the discovery of the White House taping system — the smoking gun that brought down a presidency.
After his Watergate service, Gene led landmark class-action litigation challenging unconstitutional taxation. Going up against the government requires special conviction — the kind that says some principles are worth fighting for, regardless of who stands on the other side.
My own experience with Gene came on the Goldston Highway Trust Fund case, which perfectly encapsulated everything he stood for: constitutional fidelity, fiscal responsibility, and courage to challenge political power.
In 2002, plaintiffs William Goldston and James Harrington sued after Governor Mike Easley and the General Assembly raided the Highway Trust Fund to balance the budget, taking hundreds of millions of dollars from funds designated for highway construction. Gene represented the plaintiffs, arguing that transfers from the Highway Trust Fund violated several constitutional provisions.
Gene taught me what constitutional litigation really means. It’s not about political ideology — it’s about holding government accountable to foundational rules we’ve all agreed to follow.
Gene’s record in major lawsuits against the state is beyond compare. His cases resulted in $1.4 billion in recoveries — including the Bailey case, brought on behalf of retirees; and the Smith/Shaver case, brought on behalf of intangible taxpayers. But Gene didn’t pursue these cases for fees or glory. He pursued them because he believed government should follow the rules the people established in their constitution.
What truly set Gene apart was his generosity. He endowed numerous scholarships at Wake Forest and established the G. Eugene Boyce Center of Advocacy at Campbell Law School. Gene understood that the law is a calling, and he invested in ensuring talented young people could answer that call regardless of financial circumstances.
What struck me most working with Gene was his patience, meticulous attention to detail, and absolute refusal to cut corners — even when doing so might have made cases easier. He had a quiet tenacity more powerful than any courtroom theatrics. He believed in the rightness of his cause, trusted in the constitution, and had faith that presenting facts clearly and arguing law faithfully would lead to justice.
Gene remained married to his high school sweetheart, Pat, for 71 years. He raised three children, who inherited his character. For all his accomplishments on the national stage and in North Carolina courtrooms, Gene remained grounded in family, faith, and community. That balance is rare in our profession. Those of us practicing law in North Carolina today already see his legacy — in the ethical standards we uphold, the pro bono work we undertake, the younger lawyers we mentor, and the courage we summon for difficult cases that matter.
Working with Gene Boyce was a masterclass in what it means to be a lawyer. He taught me that litigation isn’t about winning arguments — it’s about serving justice. Taking on the government isn’t hostility — it’s patriotism. And the greatest victories aren’t measured by settlement amounts, but by the constitutional principles preserved.
The North Carolina Bar has lost one of its giants. But Gene Boyce’s example endures. In a profession that can sometimes feel cynical and transactional, he reminded us that the law, properly practiced, is a noble calling.
Rest well, counselor. You fought the good fight, you kept the faith, and you left the law better than you found it.
