Daniel A. Harris
Top rated Criminal Defense attorney in Greensboro, North Carolina
Clifford and Harris, Trial Lawyers
Practice areas: Criminal Defense, DUI-DWI, White Collar Crimes; view more
Licensed in North Carolina since: 2013
Education: Elon University School of Law
Selected to Rising Stars: 2018 - 2026 Call today:
336-574-2788
Clifford and Harris, Trial Lawyers
415-B West Friendly AvenueGreensboro, NC 27401 Visit website
At Clifford & Harris, PLLC, in Greensboro, North Carolina, Daniel A. Harris shines as a dynamic defense attorney known for his remarkable courtroom prowess and deep understanding of legal intricacies. His legal practice covers a wide range of areas, including, but not limited to:
• 50Bs/50Cs
• Armed and common law robbery
• Assault and batteries
• Corporate criminal defense
• Criminal and civil forfeiture
• Criminal appeals
• Criminal investigations
• Driving while impaired
• Expunctions
• Federal criminal defense
• Felonies
• Firearm offenses
• Firearm rights restoration
• Fourth Amendment defense
• Fraud crimes
• Homicide – murder and manslaughter
• Misdemeanors
• Money laundering
• Parole and probation
• Pornography charges
• Search and seizure
• Sex offense crimes
• Sex offender registry removal
• Sexual assault
• Student conduct representations
• Theft
• Traffic violations
• Weapons charges
• White collar crime
In the courtroom, Mr. Harris has an impressive track record. He secured a not guilty verdict for a client accused of impersonating a federal officer in a federal criminal jury trial in the U.S. District Court for the Middle District of North Carolina. His strategic arguments have led to successful suppression motions in federal court, probationary outcomes and significant sentence reductions. Among his many victories, he achieved a complete not guilty verdict for a client facing three Class C trafficking charges, each with a mandatory minimum of 18.75 years.
Furthermore, Mr. Harris has skillfully negotiated dismissals and charge reductions in serious cases such as first-degree murder and embezzlement. In the district court, he has amassed numerous not guilty verdicts on cases ranging from DWIs to death by vehicle to assault with a deadly weapon. His comprehensive knowledge of North Carolina's expunction laws is highly respected among judges and fellow attorneys.
Mr. Harris's academic journey led him to a legal career after he completed his undergraduate studies at the University of North Carolina. He graduated from Elon University School of Law in 2013, the same year he was admitted to practice law in North Carolina. His credentials extend to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 4th Circuit and the U.S. District Courts for the Eastern, Middle and Western Districts of North Carolina.
Beyond his legal work, Mr. Harris is a respected member of the legal community, actively participating in organizations such as the 18th Judicial District Bar, the American Bar Association, the North Carolina Bar Association, the North Carolina Advocates for Justice, the Greensboro Bar Association and the Greensboro Criminal Defense Lawyers Association.
Practice areas
Criminal Defense, Criminal Defense: DUI/DWI, Criminal Defense: White CollarFocus areas
Arrest & Arraignment, Assault & Battery, Criminal Domestic Violence, Criminal Fraud, Criminal Law, Criminal Law - Federal, DUI/DWI, Debt, Drug & Alcohol Violations, Expungement, Failure to Pay Child Support, False Accusations, Felony, Juvenile Delinquency, Misdemeanor, Motor Vehicle Offenses, Murder, Overdrawn Bank Account, Parole, Probation, Prosecution, Sex Offenses, Tax Evasion, Theft, Traffic Violations, White Collar Crime
- 40% Criminal Defense
- 30% Criminal Defense: DUI/DWI
- 30% Criminal Defense: White Collar
First Admitted: 2013, North Carolina
Professional Webpage: https://www.ccolawyers.com/our-attorneys/daniel-a-harris/
Bar / Professional Activity
- Guilford Criminal Defense Lawyers Association, 2025
- Greensboro Criminal Defense Lawyers Association
- North Carolina Advocates for Justice
- American Bar Association
- Criminal Justice Act Panel - placed on the CJA Panel for the Middle District of North Carolina, still active, 2019
- Greensboro Bar Association, 2025
- United States District Court for the Western District Of North Carolina - Admitted, 2017
- North Carolina Bar Association, 2013
- 18th Judicial Bar Association, 2013
- United States District Court for the Middle District Of North Carolina, admitted, 2013
- United States District Court for the Eastern District Of North Carolina, admitted, 2015
- United States Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit, admitted, 2014
- State of North Carolina, 2013
Representative Clients
- United States v. J.S. (2022) - Defendant charged with impersonating a federal officer in the United States District Court, Middle District of North Carolina. Attorney Harris in a multiple day jury trial in Winston-Salem federal court, against three Assistant United States Attorneys, emerged completely victorious with a Not Guilty verdict and his client's release from custody the same evening after a year in federal custody, 2022
- North Carolina v. J.I. - defendant charged with taking gun into former employer and opening fire. Helped defendant address underlying mental health issues and obtain appointed expert and eventually a probationary judgment with a time served split, 2024
- North Carolina v. AB - client charged with obtain property by false pretence, attorney Harris received not guilty verdict in under 5 minutes., 2024
- United States v. F.W. - Represented Defendant and related corporation accused of trade secret theft of microchips and also being sued by large multinational corporation for same acts. Assisted defendants in working out settlement through company and $5 million fine, dismissal of criminal cases against individual client., 2016
- United States v. M.W. - Client investigated for retirement fund/pension fraud. Attorney Harris helped negotiate repayment of funds and a misdemeanor with minimal probation in the federal court, 2023
- United States v. B.B. - defendant an armed career criminal charged with bank robbery and on supervised release for a prior bank robbery. Attorney Harris helped preserve sentencing argument crucial to an appeal and defendant was successful on appeal in 4th Circuit to get a re-sentencing. At re-sentencing, Attorney Harris shaved several years off sentence so defendant can be released in next few years, 2018
- United States v. J.A. - Defendant charged with receipt of child pornography. Defendant Harris helped defendant cut well over 50% off the sentencing guidelines and obtain the lowest possible sentence of 60 months, the mandatory minimum, 2022
- United States v. A.G. - Assisted legendary lawyers Joe Cheshire and Locke Clifford in writing extensive suppression motions and briefs which were ultimately granted and led to dismissal of all federal charges, 2014
- United States v. S.S. - Defendant investigated with 1+ million tax fraud, elder exploitation, and related. Attorney Harris worked out deal to limited tax offense and in sentencing fight against the AUSA and the DOJ attorney, got defendant probationary sentence over government's objection, 2022
- United States v. F.B. - Attorney Harris helped a defendant convicted of federal bank robbery receive a duress departure and obtain a probationary sentence, 2016
- United States v. W.W. (2017) - Defendant charged with numerous State court theft and false pretense offenses and then charged with Federal firearms offenses following a search warrant at his home. Attorney Harris successfully suppressed the fruits of the search in federal court, leading the firing of the detective, dismissal of all charges, including the state charges, 2017
- United States v. S.W. (2022) - Defendant charged with Firearm by felon. Attorney Harris convinced the United States Attorney's office to take a dismissal and allow client to plead to charge in State court and take probation, 2022
Special Licenses / Certifications
- Board Certified Specialist - State Criminal Law CERTIFIED BY BOARD OF LEGAL SPECIALIZATION - NORTH CAROLINA STATE BAR, 2023
- Board Certified Specialist - Federal Criminal Law CERTIFIED BY BOARD OF LEGAL SPECIALIZATION - NORTH CAROLINA STATE BAR, 2023
Pro bono / Community Service
- Innocence Project, Elon University School of Law, Vice-President
- Attorney Harris serves as head coach for multiple football, basketball and soccer teams. Donating time and money to those leagues and the children who play in them, 2025
- Criminal Law Society
- University of North Carolina Men’s Club Soccer, President
- Society for Health Law and Bioethics, President
Educational Background
- University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, B.A, 2006-2010
Scholarly Lectures / Writings
- The Law of North Carolina published in "Florida Firearms - Law, Use & Ownership: Eighth Edition" (November 2014)- North Carolina law on firearms and self-defense - written by Daniel A. Harris and Locke T. Clifford.
- Was one of three presenters. Focus was on helping other attorney learn how to find and obtain experts in their cases and the process for applying for funding when they are appointed or in the event their retained client can't also afford an expert. Shared draft orders and motions used by Attorney Harris with success., Presenter - Obtaining Experts in Criminal Cases, Pretrial Practice Tips CLE, Guilford Criminal Defense Lawyers Association, 2023
- Beyond Ferguson: A Frank Discussion of Race, Policing and the 4th Amendment - Elon University School of Law (September 2014)- A roundtable discussion by Defense attorney Daniel Harris, UNCG's police chief, Greensboro's mayor pro-tem, and several distinguished law professors.
Other Outstanding Achievements
- One of 5 local attorneys submitted by the local bar to Gov. Cooper for consideration as appointment to the District Court Judge bench to finish the term of the chief judge who had died prior to his term's completion, 2019
- Complete victory in federal jury trial in the Middle District of North Carolina. After a several day trial, Attorney Harris obtained a Not Guilty verdict and his client was released from federal custody the same day. No more than a handful of Not Guilty verdicts have occurred in the Middle District in the last decade, 2022
Honors
- Legal Elite - Young Guns, Business North Carolina, 2017
- SuperLawyers, Rising Stars, 2018 – 2023
- Legal Elite - Criminal Law, Business North Carolina, 2025
- Legal Elite - Criminal Law, Business North Carolina, 2024
- Legal Elite - Criminal Law, Business North Carolina, 2023
- Legal Elite - Criminal Law, Business North Carolina, 2019
- Legal Elite- Young Guns, Business North Carolina, 2018
- Legal Elite - Criminal Law, Business North Carolina, 2016
- Top 40 Under 40, National Trial Lawyers, 2016
- Legal Elite - Criminal Law, Business North Carolina, 2015
- Legal Elite - Young Guns, Business North Carolina, 2016
- Legal Elite - Criminal Law, Business North Carolina, 2018
- Legal Elite - Young Guns, Business North Carolina, 2015
Office location for Daniel A. Harris
415-B West Friendly Avenue
Greensboro, NC 27401
Phone: 336-574-2788
Selections
- Rising Stars: 2018 - 2026
Certificates and credentials
Criminal Law Federal
Criminal Law State
