Recognized by Chambers USA as a top attorney in North Carolina, Doug is an experienced trial lawyer who focuses a large portion of his practice on representing plaintiffs and defendants in trade secret, trademark, and other complex business disputes. He also regularly handles high exposure commercial, products liability, medical malpractice, personal injury, and financial fraud litigation. Doug has tried high-stakes lawsuits in federal and state courts, including the North Carolina Business Court.
In addition to his litigation practice, he counsels clients on litigation avoidance and dispute resolution issues. He prides himself on close working relationships with his clients, a deep understanding of their businesses, and representation designed to advance the client’s overall strategic objectives. A client remarked that they were “very impressed; he is thoughtful and knows what he is doing” ( Chambers USA 2020).
Doug has been consistently recognized by his peers for inclusion in Chambers USA, The Best Lawyers in America , North Carolina Super Lawyers, and Business North Carolina’s Legal Elite.
Doug received his undergraduate degree from the University of North Carolina at Wilmington in 2001 and his law degree from Campbell University in 2004.
He is admitted to practice in all of the state courts in North Carolina, including the Business Court, Court of Appeals, and Supreme Court. He is also admitted to practice in all federal courts in North Carolina, along with the United States Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit and the Supreme Court of the United States.
- Lead trial counsel for defendants in bet-the-company trade secret misappropriation lawsuit tried to jury verdict.
- Trial counsel for technology company in trade secret misappropriation and unfair and deceptive trade practices case tried to jury verdict.
- Defended software developer in trade secret misappropriation and copyright infringement lawsuit resolved following extensive expedited discovery and several day preliminary injunction hearing.
- Lead trial counsel for property developer in unfair and deceptive trade practices lawsuit tried to verdict.
- Lead counsel for restaurant chain in defense of copyright infringement claims involving client’s advertising and promotional materials.
- Represented plaintiff in multiple trademark infringement cases involving aircraft engine components and labeling.
- Lead counsel for defendant in trademark infringement suit brought by congressionally chartered organization over defendant’s use of “Purple Heart” in connection with its charitable veterans’ assistance programs.
- Lead counsel for telecommunications product supplier in copyright and trade secret litigation involving product firmware.
- Lead counsel for product manufacturer in defense of copyright and trademark infringement claims based on client’s product logos and designs.
- Lead counsel for snack food company in trademark infringement litigation brought by competitor.
- Represented product distributor in false advertising and tortious interference litigation against competitor.
- Represented defendant in trademark litigation arising from its use of “AARP” in promotional materials.
- Lead counsel for home décor product designer and supplier in defense of copyright and trade dress infringement claims brought by competitor.
- Lead counsel for furniture company in defense of copyright infringement claims involving furniture designs.
- Represented construction company in defense of claims for tortious interference and false advertising.
- Lead counsel for national retailer in copyright infringement litigation involving textile designs.
- Represented component manufacturer in several multi-plaintiff lawsuits for catastrophic injuries and deaths resulting from two large plant explosions. Represented product manufacturers, distributors, and retailers in products liability claims involving industrial equipment, consumer products, medical devices, and prescription drugs.
- Represented private university in claims for alleged hazing incidents resulting in student death.
- Represented clients as lead counsel in wrongful death and catastrophic personal injury claims.
- Represented plaintiffs and defendants in contract, breach of fiduciary duty, fraud, contract and business tort disputes.
Doug’s peers have honored him with the following awards:
- North Carolina Super Lawyers Intellectual Property Litigation,
- North Carolina Super Lawyers “Rising Star,” Commercial Litigation,
- North Carolina Super Lawyers “Rising Star,” Intellectual Property,
- The Best Lawyers in America , Commercial Litigation,
- Chambers USA, Intellectual Property,
- Business North Carolina, Legal Elite Litigation,
- Business North Carolina Legal Elite, Intellectual Property,
- Litigation Counsel of America, Fellow
Doug’s list of professional activities include:
- Federation of Defense & Corporate Counsel,
- North Carolina State Bar,
- North Carolina Bar Association,
- Mecklenburg County Bar Association,
- North Carolina Association of Defense Attorneys, Commercial Litigation Practice Group Chair
Recognized by Chambers USA as a top attorney in North Carolina, Doug is an experienced trial lawyer who focuses a large portion of his practice on representing plaintiffs and defendants in trade secret, trademark, and other complex business disputes. He also regularly handles high exposure commercial, products liability, medical malpractice, personal injury, and financial fraud litigation. Doug has tried high-stakes lawsuits in federal and state courts, including the North Carolina Business Court.
In addition to his litigation practice, he counsels clients on litigation avoidance and dispute resolution issues. He prides himself on close working relationships with his clients, a deep understanding of their businesses, and representation designed to advance the client’s overall strategic objectives. A client remarked that they were “very impressed; he is thoughtful and knows what he is doing” ( Chambers USA 2020).
Doug has been consistently recognized by his peers for inclusion in Chambers USA, The Best Lawyers in America , North Carolina Super Lawyers, and Business North Carolina’s Legal Elite.
Doug received his undergraduate degree from the University of North Carolina at Wilmington in 2001 and his law degree from Campbell University in 2004.
He is admitted to practice in all of the state courts in North Carolina, including the Business Court, Court of Appeals, and Supreme Court. He is also admitted to practice in all federal courts in North Carolina, along with the United States Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit and the Supreme Court of the United States.
- Lead trial counsel for defendants in bet-the-company trade secret misappropriation lawsuit tried to jury verdict.
- Trial counsel for technology company in trade secret misappropriation and unfair and deceptive trade practices case tried to jury verdict.
- Defended software developer in trade secret misappropriation and copyright infringement lawsuit resolved following extensive expedited discovery and several day preliminary injunction hearing.
- Lead trial counsel for property developer in unfair and deceptive trade practices lawsuit tried to verdict.
- Lead counsel for restaurant chain in defense of copyright infringement claims involving client’s advertising and promotional materials.
- Represented plaintiff in multiple trademark infringement cases involving aircraft engine components and labeling.
- Lead counsel for defendant in trademark infringement suit brought by congressionally chartered organization over defendant’s use of “Purple Heart” in connection with its charitable veterans’ assistance programs.
- Lead counsel for telecommunications product supplier in copyright and trade secret litigation involving product firmware.
- Lead counsel for product manufacturer in defense of copyright and trademark infringement claims based on client’s product logos and designs.
- Lead counsel for snack food company in trademark infringement litigation brought by competitor.
- Represented product distributor in false advertising and tortious interference litigation against competitor.
- Represented defendant in trademark litigation arising from its use of “AARP” in promotional materials.
- Lead counsel for home décor product designer and supplier in defense of copyright and trade dress infringement claims brought by competitor.
- Lead counsel for furniture company in defense of copyright infringement claims involving furniture designs.
- Represented construction company in defense of claims for tortious interference and false advertising.
- Lead counsel for national retailer in copyright infringement litigation involving textile designs.
- Represented component manufacturer in several multi-plaintiff lawsuits for catastrophic injuries and deaths resulting from two large plant explosions. Represented product manufacturers, distributors, and retailers in products liability claims involving industrial equipment, consumer products, medical devices, and prescription drugs.
- Represented private university in claims for alleged hazing incidents resulting in student death.
- Represented clients as lead counsel in wrongful death and catastrophic personal injury claims.
- Represented plaintiffs and defendants in contract, breach of fiduciary duty, fraud, contract and business tort disputes.
Doug’s peers have honored him with the following awards:
- North Carolina Super Lawyers Intellectual Property Litigation,
- North Carolina Super Lawyers “Rising Star,” Commercial Litigation,
- North Carolina Super Lawyers “Rising Star,” Intellectual Property,
- The Best Lawyers in America , Commercial Litigation,
- Chambers USA, Intellectual Property,
- Business North Carolina, Legal Elite Litigation,
- Business North Carolina Legal Elite, Intellectual Property,
- Litigation Counsel of America, Fellow
Doug’s list of professional activities include:
- Federation of Defense & Corporate Counsel,
- North Carolina State Bar,
- North Carolina Bar Association,
- Mecklenburg County Bar Association,
- North Carolina Association of Defense Attorneys, Commercial Litigation Practice Group Chair