Douglas E. Kingsbery, Business Attorney in Raleigh, North Carolina
focused on Business, Criminal Defense, and Litigation
Raleigh, NC
Trusted business attorney serving Raleigh.
- 2
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Quick answer
Douglas E. Kingsbery is an attorney based in Raleigh, NORTH CAROLINA. The practice focuses on Business, Criminal Defense, and Litigation. Currently practicing at Tharrington Smith LLP.
- Based in
- Raleigh, NORTH CAROLINA
- Experience
- attorney
- Known for
- Business · Criminal Defense · Litigation
- Handles Business, Criminal Defense, and Litigation matters from Raleigh, NORTH CAROLINA.
- Recognized with Best Lawyers in America — Bet-the-Company Litigation (2026).
About Douglas E. Kingsbery: Douglas E. Kingsbery is an attorney based in Raleigh, NORTH CAROLINA. The practice focuses on Business, Criminal Defense, and Litigation. Currently practicing at Tharrington Smith LLP.
Areas of practice
Practice areas handled by Douglas E. Kingsbery
Douglas concentrates on business, criminal defense, litigation, and white collar. Each area below outlines the kind of case Douglas handles, typical outcomes to expect, and how the intake process starts.
Business
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Criminal Defense
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Litigation
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White Collar
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Business cases in Raleigh, North Carolina
Douglas takes business matters in Raleigh, North Carolina. Typical engagements include intake calls to scope the issue, review of any records or filings you already have, and a written strategy memo before Douglas agrees to represent you.
Criminal Defense cases in Raleigh, North Carolina
Douglas takes criminal defense matters in Raleigh, North Carolina. Typical engagements include intake calls to scope the issue, review of any records or filings you already have, and a written strategy memo before Douglas agrees to represent you.
Litigation cases in Raleigh, North Carolina
Douglas takes litigation matters in Raleigh, North Carolina. Typical engagements include intake calls to scope the issue, review of any records or filings you already have, and a written strategy memo before Douglas agrees to represent you.
White Collar cases in Raleigh, North Carolina
Douglas takes white collar matters in Raleigh, North Carolina. Typical engagements include intake calls to scope the issue, review of any records or filings you already have, and a written strategy memo before Douglas agrees to represent you.
Biography
About Douglas E. Kingsbery — Attorney of North Carolina business experience
Douglas E. Kingsbery is an attorney based in Raleigh, NORTH CAROLINA. The practice focuses on Business, Criminal Defense, and Litigation. Currently practicing at Tharrington Smith LLP.
Upon graduation from law school in 1980, Doug Kingsbery joined the firm of Tharrington, Smith & Hargrove in Raleigh, North Carolina, where he worked as an associate in the areas of education law and criminal defense. He was made Partner in 1985, and has developed an extensive litigation and trial practice which includes trial and appellate work in civil, criminal and administrative law. Over the past 28 years, he has tried dozens of civil and criminal jury trials in numerous state and federal courts across North Carolina and he has received an AV rating from his peers as reported in Martindale-Hubbell.
As a criminal law practitioner, Doug Kingsbery has tried and won jury trials in the federal district courts of North Carolina, as well as in several counties across the State. Mr. Kingsbery was certified by the North Carolina State Bar as a Specialist in both federal and state criminal law, 1991-2002. In 1997, the North Carolina State Bar appointed him Chairman of the Criminal Law Specialty Committee. He and his committee rewrote North Carolina's written examination for certification as a specialist in federal and state criminal law. He has also served the State of North Carolina through the acceptance of several appointments to defend indigent persons charged with capital murder. For his work in criminal law, Mr. Kingsbery is listed in Best Lawyers in America, and has been named one of North Carolina's "Super Lawyers" by Law and Politics and Charlotte Magazine.
As a civil practitioner, Doug Kingsbery has represented both plaintiffs and defendants in the federal and state courts of North Carolina, and has won civil jury trials in both forums. His civil trial practice includes complex commercial litigation as well as serious personal injury and wrongful death He also represents taxpayers in civil tax disputes, and has been admitted to the United States Tax Court and the Federal Court of Claims. For his work in civil litigation, his peers have voted him one of Business North Carolina's "Legal Elite" in the field of Litigation. Mr. Kingsbery is also listed in Best Lawyers in America for Commercial Litigation and for "Bet the Company" Litigation.
As an administrative law practitioner, Mr. Kingsbery has represented attorneys before the North Carolina State Bar as well as other professionals before numerous North Carolina State licensing boards. He has also represented numerous taxpayers in both civil and criminal cases before the Internal Revenue Service, the United States Department of Justice and the North Carolina Department of Revenue.
As an appellate practitioner, Mr. Kingsbery has argued and won cases before the United States Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit, the North Carolina Supreme Court, the North Carolina Court of Appeals and the Florida Supreme Court. His practice in the Fourth Circuit Court of Appeals includes both civil and criminal cases, and he has won several reversals in criminal cases before that court. The Fourth Circuit Court of Appeals has recently appointed him to its CJA appellate panel, which is comprised of only experienced practitioners before that Court.
How Douglas handles business matters
Upon graduation from law school in 1980, Doug Kingsbery joined the firm of Tharrington, Smith & Hargrove in Raleigh, North Carolina, where he worked as an associate in the areas of education law and criminal defense. He was made Partner in 1985, and has developed an extensive litigation and trial practice which includes trial and appellate work in civil, criminal and administrative law. Over the…
Who Douglas represents
Douglas reviews new inquiries case-by-case for business, criminal defense, and litigation matters in Raleigh and the surrounding North Carolina area.
Credentials
Douglas E. Kingsbery's legal education and bar admissions
Duke University
J.D. · 1980
Duke University
— · 1977
Jurisdictions
Douglas's state bar admissions
North Carolina, Nort
ACTIVE
North Carolina, Nort
ACTIVE
Douglas studied at J.D. in Duke University and — in Duke University.
Law school and academic background
Douglas completed J.D. in Duke University and — in Duke University. Formal legal training is one signal of substantive knowledge — the day-to-day practice Douglas runs in North Carolina is where that training gets applied to real client questions.
Recognition
Awards, publications, and recognition of Douglas E. Kingsbery
Douglas has received 9 formal recognitions from bar associations, industry bodies, and peer-review services.
Best Lawyers in America — Bet-the-Company Litigation
2026
Best Lawyers in America — Commercial Litigation
2026
Best Lawyers in America — Criminal Defense: White-Collar
2026
Best Lawyers in America — Awards:
2026
Best Lawyers in America — North Carolina Board of Legal Specialization, Board Certified Specialist in Federal and State Criminal Law (1991)
2026
Best Lawyers in America — Inducted as a Fellow of the Litigation Counsel of America (2010)
2026
Best Lawyers in America — Listed in North Carolina's Super Lawyers (2008-2016)
2026
Best Lawyers in America — AV Preeminent Peer Review Rated Attorney, Martindale Hubbell
2026
Best Lawyers in America — Listed in Business North Carolina's "Legal Elite" Criminal Law Section
2026
Legal awards and honors
Best Lawyers in America — Bet-the-Company Litigation (2026). Best Lawyers in America — Commercial Litigation (2026). Best Lawyers in America — Criminal Defense: White-Collar (2026). Best Lawyers in America — Awards: (2026). Best Lawyers in America — North Carolina Board of Legal Specialization, Board Certified Specialist in Federal and State Criminal Law (1991) (2026). Best Lawyers in America — Inducted as a Fellow of the Litigation Counsel of America (2010) (2026).
Locations
Douglas E. Kingsbery's office in Raleigh
Douglas's primary office is at 150 Fayetteville Street, Raleigh, North Carolina, 27602. In-person meetings are by appointment; a phone intake usually comes first.
Tharrington Smith LLP
150 Fayetteville Street
Raleigh, North Carolina 27602
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Client reviews of Douglas E. Kingsbery
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Schedule your consultationHiring guide
How to hire Douglas E. Kingsbery — what to expect in your first consultation
Working with a new business attorney should feel structured. Here's how the first two conversations with Douglas usually go, from the moment you request a consult to the day representation begins.
Consultation formats and pricing
Douglas charges for the initial consult. That fee is credited toward representation if you retain Douglas's office.
What to bring to your first meeting
Bring any documents you already have — police reports, medical records, filed pleadings, correspondence from an insurer, a copy of the contract at issue. If you're not sure, err on the side of bringing everything; Douglas will tell you what matters and what doesn't.
Questions to ask a business attorney in Raleigh, North Carolina
A short list to run through before you commit: How many business matters have you handled in the last year? What's your fee structure? Who else in the office will work on this? What's your realistic estimate of timeline and range of outcomes? How do I reach you between meetings?
Fees & payment
Fees, payment methods, and consultation options for Douglas
Douglas discusses fees during intake so the arrangement fits the matter. Contingency, hourly, and flat-fee options are all common in business practice — ask which fits.
Hourly rates, contingency fees, and flat-fee options
Every business matter is priced differently. Simple document review might be a flat fee. Injury litigation is often contingency. Complex commercial disputes usually run hourly with a retainer. Douglas confirms the model in the engagement letter before any work starts.
Payment methods and payment plans
Douglas's office accepts standard payment methods. Ask about payment plans if the retainer is a stretch — many business practices work with clients on structured schedules.
Frequently asked
Frequently asked questions about Douglas E. Kingsbery
How much does it cost to hire Douglas for a business case?
Cost depends on the type of matter, the fee model (contingency, flat, hourly), and how contested the case becomes. Douglas walks through the likely range during the consult so there are no surprises.
Does Douglas offer a free consultation?
Douglas charges for the initial consult; that fee is credited toward representation if you retain Douglas's office. Some business attorneys offer free consults — check Douglas's current terms during booking.
How long do business cases in North Carolina typically take?
Simple business matters can wrap in a few weeks; disputed cases can run 6–18 months from intake to resolution, longer if the matter goes to trial. Douglas gives a realistic estimate for your facts at the consult — vague answers here are a red flag.
Can Douglas take my case if I'm outside Raleigh?
Douglas is licensed in North Carolina. Matters governed by North Carolina law are the natural fit. Out-of-state matters are handled case-by-case, sometimes with local co-counsel. Ask during intake — Douglas will tell you if the case is a fit or refer you to someone closer to your court.
What should I bring to my first meeting with Douglas?
Bring every document that touches the dispute: contracts, correspondence, police or medical reports, filed pleadings, invoices, photographs, insurance letters. Also bring a written timeline of what happened, in your own words. Douglas will filter what matters — over-preparing at intake is always cheaper than needing a second meeting.
Is Douglas accepting new business clients right now?
Douglas's intake status shifts week to week. Submit the form; the office will confirm availability or refer the matter out.
Areas served
Business attorneys serving Raleigh, Charlotte and Durham in North Carolina
Douglas handles business matters throughout North Carolina. Each city below is a direct link into the search page for verified business attorneys in that community.
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