A seasoned and highly recognized litigator, Doug focuses his practice on complex business disputes, working closely with clients to develop strategic solutions that achieve their goals. His experience ranges from trade secret and trademark cases to high-stakes contract, construction, products liability, and commercial litigation.
Doug is an aggressive advocate for his clients' interests in court; however, he recognizes that not every case necessitates protracted litigation, and he frequently counsels clients through the alternative dispute resolution process.
Consistently recognized for his outstanding legal practice, Doug has been named by such publications as Chambers USA, North Carolina Super Lawyers, Best Lawyers in America, and Business North Carolina. He earned his J.D. from Campbell University and his undergraduate degree from the University of North Carolina at Wilmington.
Education
J.D., Campbell University
B.A., University of North Carolina at Wilmington
Professional and Community Affiliations
- Fellow of the Litigation Counsel of America
- 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
Honors
- 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
- Legal 500
Representative Matters
- Lead trial counsel for defendants in bet-the-company trade secret misappropriation lawsuit tried to jury verdict.
- Represented purchaser of high-end multifamily property in construction defect and fraud lawsuit.
- Trial counsel for technology company in trade secret misappropriation and unfair and deceptive trade practices case tried to jury verdict.
- Represented national automobile dealership group in negligence and breach of contract action.
- Defended utility construction company in wrongful death lawsuit.
- Represented investors in large financial fraud litigation.
- Defended software developer in trade secret misappropriation and copyright infringement lawsuit resolved following extensive expedited discovery and several days 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.
- 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.
- 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 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.