Kearns Davis

Top rated White Collar Crimes attorney in Greensboro, North Carolina

Brooks, Pierce, McLendon, Humphrey & Leonard LLP
Kearns Davis
Brooks, Pierce, McLendon, Humphrey & Leonard LLP

Practice areas: White Collar Crimes, Business Litigation, Criminal Defense

Licensed in North Carolina since: 1995

Education: University of North Carolina School of Law

Selected to Super Lawyers: 2010 - 2026 Selected to Rising Stars: 2009
Virtual Appointments

Brooks, Pierce, McLendon, Humphrey & Leonard LLP

230 N Elm St
Suite 2000
Greensboro, NC 27401 Phone: 336-271-3174 Email: Kearns Davis Visit website

Kearns Davis is an acclaimed courtroom advocate, a veteran of both high-profile cases and sensitive matters resolved confidentially. A former federal prosecutor and a Fellow of the American College of Trial Lawyers, he has tried jury cases at all levels of federal and North Carolina trial courts, and he represents clients in U.S. trial and appellate courts across the country. His clients have included public companies, private businesses, elected officials of both major parties, Hall of Fame athletes, Division I coaches, corporate executives, and professionals including doctors, accountants, professors, and numerous lawyers and law firms. He is a past president of the North Carolina Bar Association.

In addition to perennial recognition by Super Lawyers—he has been on its North Carolina Top 10 list since 2016—Kearns has been widely honored by other publications including "The Best Lawyers in America" in White-Collar Criminal Defense, Bet-the-Company Litigation, and Commercial Litigation (annually since 2010); "Chambers USA: America's Leading Lawyers for Business" in White-Collar Crime and Government Investigations (Band 1) (annually since 2012);  "Benchmark Litigation" in White Collar Crime/Enforcements/Investigations ("Litigation Star" annually since 2015); and Business North Carolina’s “Legal Elite” Hall of Fame in Criminal Defense. "Best Lawyers" has also repeatedly named him "Lawyer of the Year" for the Triad region in White-Collar Criminal Defense (2013, 2016, 2018, 2020, & 2025), and Bet-the-Company Litigation (2015 & 2026). In 2024, he received the North Carolina Bar Association's highest recognition for a criminal defense attorney, the Wade M. Smith Award.

First Admitted: 1995, North Carolina

Professional Webpage: http://www.brookspierce.com/our-people/attorneys/kearns-davi...

Bar / Professional Activity

  • Assistant United States Attorney, Middle District of North Carolina (2003-07)
  • Law Clerk to Chief Judge Sam J. Ervin, III, United States Court of Appeals, 4th Circuit (1995-96)
  • President, North Carolina Bar Association (2016-17)
  • State Committee, American College of Trial Lawyers (2020-present)
  • President, Federal Bar Association, Middle District of North Carolina Chapter (2010-11)
  • Chair, North Carolina Bar Association Criminal Justice Section (2007-08)

Verdicts / Settlements (Case Results)

  • United States v. Eury (U.S. District Court, MDNC). Not guilty jury verdict on all six counts of obstructing a federal proceeding and money laundering. Original indictment also included two counts of money laundering and one count of theft of government property, all of which were dismissed before trial, 2021
  • United States v. Ferguson (U.S. District Court, D. Mass). Successful defense of Wake Forest University's former volleyball coach in highly publicized "Varsity Blues" cases alleging illegal conspiracy in college admissions. Our case was the only one arising from the "Varsity Blues" investigation in which the government eventually agreed to dismissal, 2022
  • Howard v. Caddell Construction Company, Inc. (U.S. District Court, EDNC). Won summary judgment on behalf of a major international construction company (its projects have totaled more than $8 billion around the world) in defense of a False Claims Act whistleblower suit arising from a major project at U.S. Marine Corps’ Camp Lejeune. The plaintiff's claims sought more than $100 million. In March 2021, the Court granted our motion for summary judgment on all the claims in the lawsuit, 2021
  • United States v. Hayes (U.S. District Court, WDNC). Defended a former Congressman and sitting Chair of the North Carolina Republican Party against charges of conspiracy to bribe the North Carolina Insurance Commissioner and false statements. We negotiated a resolution including a single false-statement plea and dismissal of all other charges, secured a sentence of probation, and ultimately obtained a full Presidential pardon, 2019
  • United States v. Allen (U.S. Supreme Court; U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit; United States District Court, MDNC). Appointed to handle a defendant’s appeal from his conviction at trial of possession of a firearm by a prohibited person. The United States Supreme Court granted our petition for certiorari and, without argument, vacated the judgment against our client and remanded the case to the lower courts, where it ultimately was dismissed, 2020
  • AAA arbitration victory. Trial before arbitrator on claims of over $400,000 by former NFL player and spouse, threatening home builder's reputation. After five-day hearing, arbitrator rejected opponent's major claims of structural defects and defective flooring, awarding less than $40,000 on minor issues, 2023

Special Licenses / Certifications

  • Admitted to practice in U.S. Supreme Court; U.S. Courts of Appeals for the 2nd, 4th, and 9th Circuits; U.S. District Courts for the Eastern, Middle, and Western Districts of North Carolina; U.S. Tax Court; U.S. District Court for the Western District of New York; and all North Carolina state courts.

Pro bono / Community Service

  • Criminal Justice Act Panels, U.S. District Court, MDNC & U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit (2007-present). Representation of indigent federal criminal defendants in the trial court and/or on appeal. Also served a term representing the MDNC on the Fourth Circuit's Appellate Panel Committee.
  • Pro Bono Representation Program, U.S. District Court, MDNC (2008-present). Pro bono representation of pro se litigants for whom the Court decides to seek and appoint volunteer counsel. Representation of several such litigants in federal civil jury trials, providing service to indigent clients and the Court and valuable federal trial experience to associate attorneys.
  • Board of Directors, University of North Carolina School of Law Alumni Association (2000-06, 2020-present)
  • Board of Directors, Legal Aid of North Carolina (2017-18)
  • Member, North Carolina Faith and Justice Alliance Steering Committee (appointment by Chief Justice of N.C. Supreme Court) (2020-21)
  • Vice Chair, Board of Directors, Peacehaven Community Farm (2023-present)
  • Development Committee, Community Foundation of Greater Greensboro (2019-present)
  • Board of Directors, Greensboro Police Foundation (2014-22)
  • Secretary, Rest Haven Summer Sunday School, Pamlico River, Beaufort County, NC (2010-22)

Educational Background

  • University of North Carolina School of Law (J.D. with Honors; Managing Editor, North Carolina Law Review), 1995
  • Duke University (M.A.), 1994
  • Davidson College (B.A. with Honors in History), 1991

Scholarly Lectures / Writings

  • Adjunct Professor/Lecturer in Trial Advocacy, UNC School of Law, 2009-present. Adjunct Trial Advocacy Faculty, Elon University School of Law, 2008. Trial Advocacy Instructor, U.S. Department of Justice National Advocacy Center, 2007. Faculty, National Institute for Trial Advocacy Southeast Regional, 2006 & 2007. "Federal Criminal Case Law Update," North Carolina Bar Foundation, annually 2006-present. Regular CLE speaker on topics related to trial practice and white-collar defense. Published law review pieces: "Sigurjónsson v. Iceland: The European Court of Human Rights Expands the Negative Right of Association," 27 Case W. Res. J. Int'l L. (1995), reprinted in 5 Irish Student L. Rev. (1995). Note, "Crawford v. Air Line Pilots Association: The Fourth Circuit Determines What Expenses a Union May Charge to Nonunion Workers," 72 N.C. L. Rev. 1732 (1994).

Honors

  • Fellow, American College of Trial Lawyers
  • "Legal Elite" Hall of Fame for Criminal Law, Business North Carolina
  • Band 1 in White-Collar Crime and Government Investigations, Chambers USA: America's Leading Lawyers for Business (2012-present)
  • The Best Lawyers in America© in White-Collar Criminal Defense, Bet-the-Company Litigation, and Commercial Litigation, Best Lawyers® (selected in these three categories annually since 2010, including "Lawyer of the Year" for White-Collar Criminal Defense in 2013, 2016, 2018, and 2020, and for Bet-the-Company Litigation in 2015)
  • Litigation Star for White-Collar Crime, Benchmark Litigation (recognized annually since 2015)
  • Permanent Member, Fourth Circuit Judicial Conference
  • Robinson O. Everett Professionalism Award, North Carolina Bar Association, 2010
  • Distinguished Service Award, Greensboro Bar Association, 2020

Office location for Kearns Davis

230 N Elm St
Suite 2000
Greensboro, NC 27401

Selections

17 Years Super Lawyers
1 Year Rising Stars
  • Super Lawyers: 2010 - 2026
  • Rising Stars: 2009

Top Lists

Top 10: North Carolina Super Lawyers: 2016 - 2026
Top 100: North Carolina Super Lawyers: 2012 - 2026

Certificates and credentials

American College of Trial Lawyers

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