CHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP) — High-profile North Carolina attorney Bill Diehl died Thursday at age 78 in a Charlotte retirement community.

Diehl's brother tells The Charlotte Observer that he died from complications related to his latest stroke.

Diehl represented a number of well-known clients in criminal, civil or divorce proceedings. They included NASCAR team owner and car dealer Rick Hendrick, former Charlotte Hornets owner George Shinn and Speedway Motorsports founder Bruton Smith.

Smith, a NASCAR Hall of Famer, died this year at 95.

Family, friends and peers say Diehl was a man of huge appetites and multiple passions but was well-prepared in the courtroom to represent his clients.

A memorial service will be conducted later.