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Kingsbery, Douglas E.

Douglas E. Kingsbery - Raleigh, NC

Attorney at Tharrington Smith LLP

Criminal Law And Business Crimes Defense Lawyers in Raleigh, NC

150 Fayetteville Street Suite 1900 Raleigh, NC 27601

  • 1 Super Lawyers®
  • 46 Years 
    Experience

Raleigh Criminal Law And Business Crimes Defense Lawyer

Updated: 03/02/2026

Areas of Practice

  • Criminal Law And Business Crimes Defense
  • Litigation
  • Governmental And Regulatory Law
  • Administrative Law
  • Appeals
  • Licensing Boards Discipline
  • Tax Audits And Investigations
  • Commercial Litigation

Attorney Information

Overview

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. In 1991, he was certified by the North Carolina State Bar as a Specialist in both federal and state criminal law. 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.

Doug Kingsbery has been married to his wife Katie R. Kingsbery since 1979. Together, they have raised three children, Russell, Kelsey and Web. The Kingsberys are active members of Good Shepherd Lutheran Church (ELCA). Doug Kingsbery has served as President of the Church Council and serves as a Stephen Minister.


Awards and Honors

Super Lawyers® Selectees

SuperLawyers

Douglas E. Kingsbery included in a Super Lawyers® list

Honors

  • North Carolina's Super Lawyers, 2008 - 2016
  • Top rating (AV®) in Martindale Hubbell
  • Best Lawyers in America® for Criminal Law, Commercial Litigation, "Bet the Company" Litigation, 2005 - 2020
  • Voted one of Business North Carolina's "Legal Elite" in the field of Criminal Law
  • Client Choice Award, AVVO, 2014

Other Sources of Feedback About Douglas E. Kingsbery

Included on the 2026 North Carolina Super Lawyers list


Past Lists

  • 2025 North Carolina Super Lawyers list
  • 2024 North Carolina Super Lawyers list
  • 2023 North Carolina Super Lawyers list
  • 2022 North Carolina Super Lawyers list
  • 2021 North Carolina Super Lawyers list
  • 2020 North Carolina Super Lawyers list
  • 2019 North Carolina Super Lawyers list
  • 2018 North Carolina Super Lawyers list
  • 2017 North Carolina Super Lawyers list
  • 2016 North Carolina Super Lawyers list
  • 2015 North Carolina Super Lawyers list
  • 2014 North Carolina Super Lawyers list
  • 2013 North Carolina Super Lawyers list
  • 2012 North Carolina Super Lawyers list
  • 2011 North Carolina Super Lawyers list
  • 2010 North Carolina Super Lawyers list
  • 2009 North Carolina Super Lawyers list
  • 2008 North Carolina Super Lawyers list

Education

  • Legal Education

    • Duke University School of Law, Durham, North Carolina, 1980
      J.D.
  • Non Legal Education

    • Duke University , Darhum, 1977
      B.A.
      Honors: cum laude
      Major: Political Science and Religion

Current Employment Position(s)

  • Attorney

Past Positions

  • United States Naval Reserve, Honorable Discharge, 1973 - 1975

Bar Admissions

  • North Carolina, 1980
  • U.S. Supreme Court
  • U.S. Court of Appeals 4th Circuit
  • U.S. Tax Court
  • U.S. Federal Courts
  • U.S. District Court Eastern District of North Carolina
  • U.S. District Court Middle District of North Carolina
  • U.S. District Court Western District of North Carolina
  • North Carolina Supreme Court

Specialties and Certifications

  • Criminal Law
  • Specialist in both federal and state criminal law, North Carolina State Bar, 1991

Other Affiliations

  • American Bar Association (Member)
  • North Carolina Bar Association (Member)
  • North Carolina Advocates for Justice (Member)
  • National Association of Criminal Defense Attorneys (Member)
  • Litigation Counsel of America (Fellow)

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Raleigh, NC

150 Fayetteville Street
Suite 1900
Raleigh, NC 27601

Directions

Phone: 919-821-4711

Fax: 919-829-1583

Email: Send a message

Website: http://tharringtonsmith.com

  • Credit Cards Accepted

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