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James K. Dorsett, III Partner
Wake Forest University, J.D., 1977
Davidson College, A.B. 1974
Professional Summary
A past President of the North Carolina State Bar, Mr. Dorsett practices in the areas of commercial litigation, products liability defense, and tort and insurance litigation. His recent work has involved the representation of corporations in contract, trade secrets, and covenant not to compete cases, and the defense of manufacturers and retailers in products liability actions in the state and federal courts. He has also appeared on behalf of domestic air carriers and their insurers in accident and other lawsuits. A certified mediator, his work extends to alternative dispute resolution and counseling. He has successfully defended major personal injury and wrongful death claims, and has obtained substantial awards on behalf of plaintiffs in selected negligence cases. Mr. Dorsett remains active in professional and volunteer activities and currently serves as Secretary-Treasurer of the American Counsel Association, for which he previously served as President, and as Vice President of the International Society of Barristers Foundation. He also serves as President of Food Runners Collaborative, Inc., a not-for-profit corporation.
Representative Matters
- Represented national bottling company in securing $19M settlement for violation of shareholder rights
- Obtained $5M award for Embrex in breach of contract action against Wyeth division
- Successfully defended west coast micro-chip designer in trade secrets litigation
- Recovered award for national distributor against competitor for unfair trade practices
- Secured multiple awards for minority shareholders in closely held family businesses
- Obtained summary judgment for manufacturer in pharmaceutical plant explosion case
- Obtained defense verdicts for Emerson in actions alleging product defects
- Secured summary judgment for DuPont in claims related to allegedly defective piping
- Obtained defense verdicts for vehicle manufacturers in wrongful death and injury actions
- Recovered jury verdict of $2.4M for teenager suffering "mild brain injury" from accident
- Recovered $9M structured settlement for decedent's estate arising from trucking accident
- Successfully defended airlines, manufacturers and insurers in wide variety of claims
- Obtained jury verdict in blasting case for contractor sued by adjacent property owner
- Obtained $7.6M settlement for client in complex will caveat matter
- Secured dismissal of intellectual property malpractice suit against national law firm
- Assisted national bank in achieving seven figure reduction in real property taxation
Representative Accomplishments and Honors
Listed, Woodward/White, Inc. The Best Lawyers in America (Commercial Litigation, Bet-the-Company Litigation)
Listed, Law and Politics North Carolina Super Lawyers
Listed, Marquis Who’s Who in American Law
Martindale Hubbell AV® Rated
Named in Best Lawyers in Commercial Litigation 2008 in North Carolina
Professional and Community Activities
President, The North Carolina State Bar (2002-03)President, American Counsel Association (2005-06)
Member, House of Delegates, American Bar Association (2004-2008)
Fellow and past Director, International Society of Barristers
President, International Society of Barristers Foundation
Member, American Board of Trial Advocates
Fellow, American Bar Foundation
Certified Mediator, State of North Carolina Dispute Resolution Commission
President, Board of Directors, Food Runners Collaborative, Inc.
Fellow, Litigation Counsel of America
Bar Admissions and Memberships
Wake County Bar Association
North Carolina State Bar
North Carolina Bar Association
American Bar Association
Admitted to Practice
The United States Supreme CourtUnited States Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit
United States District Courts, Eastern, Middle and Western Districts of North Carolina
The Supreme Court of North Carolina and all State Courts
