Overview
A former federal prosecutor, D.C. Circuit law clerk, and experienced litigator in state and federal court, John Harris helps clients navigate high-stakes disputes, government scrutiny, and complex internal crises. In matters involving government inquiries, boardroom crises, or contentious business disputes, clients turn to John for strategic, practical guidance.
As a leader of the firm's Investigations practice, John regularly assists clients with government investigations, including False Claims Act litigation, where he leverages his experience investigating and prosecuting qui tam matters to guide healthcare providers and government contractors through one of the most complex and consequential areas of government enforcement. He routinely assists clients in responding to criminal inquiries and represents witnesses in federal criminal proceedings. John also leads and manages internal corporate investigations, including allegations of financial mismanagement, embezzlement, and breaches of fiduciary duty by corporate officers. When investigations reveal wrongdoing — or clear a client's name — John helps companies address findings ethically, efficiently, and effectively.
On the litigation side, John is a jack of all trades. A quick study with strong negotiation skills, John routinely represents clients across a wide range of industries and legal subject matter areas and gets results. His litigation practice regularly includes complex contract disputes, restrictive covenant enforcement, trust and estate litigation, business tort claims, corporate fiduciary litigation, and many others. He has handled every stage of civil litigation and has tried multiple cases to verdict before both judges and juries.
Areas of Focus
Credentials
Recognition
- North Carolina Super Lawyers Rising Star (2023-2024)
- Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch® in America, Commercial Litigation (2024-2026)
- North Carolina Super Lawyers Rising Star (2025)
Clerkships
- Chambers of Judge Karen LeCraft Henderson, United States Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit, Washington, D.C.
Education
- University of North Carolina School of Law, J.D, with honors, 2015
- Order of the Coif
- Phi Beta Kappa
- Managing Editor, North Carolina Law Review, Vol. 93
- Robertson Scholar
- James E. & Carolyn B. Davis Society
- University of North Carolina, B.A., with honors and highest distinction, 2012
Bar & Court Admissions
- North Carolina
- U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit
- U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit
- U.S. District Court for the District of Colorado
- U.S. District Courts for the Eastern, Middle and Western Districts of North Carolina
Affiliations
North Carolina Bar Association
Experience
- Represented clients navigating trust and estate disputes, including will caveats, and advised clients regarding rights and remedies available under revocable trust instruments.
- Represented North Carolina public charter school against contract, employment, and fraud claims brought by a former employee, including obtaining dismissal of several claims and preventing the entry of preliminary injunctive relief. The case was favorably resolved through a confidential settlement.
- Represented North Carolina company in pursuing claims against former employee related to breach of confidentiality agreement and violation of the North Carolina Trade Secrets Act. The matter was mediated and favorably resolved by confidential settlement.
- Represented employer in defense of claims related to termination and unemployment compensation, including obtaining dismissal of all claims in North Carolina Superior Court.
- Advised local public entity on open-meetings and public-records law compliance in connection with holding board meetings and disposing of property.
- Represented an electric aerospace company in dispute with prototype airframe supplier that claimed exclusive rights to participate in aircraft development and manufacturing program and sought hundreds of millions of dollars in damages. We filed counterclaims, obtained a temporary restraining order requiring return of our client’s intellectual property, and obtained a declaratory judgment establishing that our client properly terminated the underlying contract and the supplier had no further right to participate in the program. The matter was ultimately resolved without any payment by our client.
