UNC Law Alumni Association Recognizes Troutman eMerge’s Alison Grounds With Distinguished Alumni Award

Aug 18 2025

ATLANTA – The UNC Law Alumni Association has recognized Alison Grounds, founder and managing partner of Troutman eMerge, with the Distinguished Alumni Award. Recipients of the award demonstrate excellence in the practice of law or other professions, noteworthy public service, and outstanding service to the school of law. Grounds will receive the award at the Law Alumni Association’s annual alumni awards presentation at the Carolina Club on Oct. 3, 2025.

The Distinguished Alumni Award is presented annually to a UNC School of Law graduate whose accomplishments and contributions have enhanced the law school and the practice of law or other professions at the local, state, national, or international level.

Grounds assists clients in all aspects of discovery in litigation and investigations and advises clients on proactive litigation readiness and data management issues. Clients rely on Grounds’ litigation experience and technology prowess to develop and manage the overall strategy and to advocate on their behalf during discovery disputes. She also assists clients with developing internal workflows and processes that leverage technology to improve efficiency and consistency across matters. 

Grounds is the founder and managing partner of Troutman eMerge, a wholly owned subsidiary of the firm, which provides end-to-end, integrated discovery and data management services for legal matters. Troutman eMerge’s attorneys and technologists combine legal strategy with the latest technology to manage data, reduce costs, and identify facts needed to resolve disputes. Their novel approach effectively addresses two common causes of unanticipated costs and risks: disconnected stakeholders and processes. Grounds is a frequent speaker and author on eDiscovery issues and is ranked in Chambers USA and Legal 500, which recognize the top lawyers and law firms across the U.S. Additionally, she serves as chair of Troutman Pepper Locke’s innovation committee and is a leader of the firm’s generative AI task force.

Troutman Pepper Locke

Troutman Pepper Locke helps clients solve complex legal challenges and achieve their business goals in an ever-changing global economy. With more than 1,600 attorneys in 30+ offices, the firm serves clients in all major industry sectors, with particular depth in energy, financial services, health care and life sciences, insurance and reinsurance, private equity, and real estate. Learn more at troutman.com.