David S. Coats

David S. Coats: Leading Litigation Attorney in Raleigh, North Carolina

David S. Coats is a highly respected and accomplished litigation attorney based in Raleigh, North Carolina. As the firm’s co-managing partner and senior litigation partner, he possesses a distinguished reputation built on over two decades of experience and consistently recognized by leading legal organizations. Mr. Coats has been peer-selected for inclusion in *The Best Lawyers in America*, Business North Carolina Magazine’s Legal Elite, and North Carolina Super Lawyers for the past 14 years, consistently earning top rankings across various litigation specialties. His recognition includes being named one of the Top 100 Lawyers in North Carolina in 2021 and as one of the Top Lawyers in Raleigh in 2021, as well as being selected as Lawyer of the Year and the best lawyer in insurance law in the Raleigh metropolitan market in 2015 by Best Lawyers in America. This unparalleled level of recognition reflects his dedication to achieving exceptional outcomes for his clients.

Mr. Coats focuses his practice on a broad range of complex litigation matters, providing strategic legal counsel and aggressive representation in both federal and state court proceedings. He specializes in commercial litigation, construction defect litigation, insurance coverage litigation, insurance bad faith and unfair claim practices, professional malpractice defense, appellate practice, and municipal and law enforcement liability law, along with personal injury actions. His extensive experience includes handling a multitude of high-stakes cases and achieving significant victories for his clients.

Mr. Coats' expertise encompasses a vast array of legal challenges, including:

• Commercial Litigation: Representing businesses and individuals in disputes involving breach of contract, fraud, negligence, and other complex commercial claims.
• Construction Law: Specializing in construction defect litigation, including disputes related to faulty workmanship, defective materials, and construction contract breaches.
• Insurance Law: Expertise in navigating complex insurance coverage issues, including bad faith claims, unfair claim practices, and disputes involving property damage, personal injury, and professional liability.
• Appellate Practice: Successfully arguing cases before the North Carolina Court of Appeals, the North Carolina Supreme Court, the U.S. Fourth Circuit Court of Appeals, and Federal District Courts in North Carolina and South Carolina, consistently achieving favorable results for his clients.
• Trial Advocacy: A proven track record of effectively trying cases to verdict in state and federal court, utilizing his extensive litigation experience and courtroom skills.

Throughout his career, Mr. Coats has been recognized for his meticulous attention to detail, his strategic thinking, and his unwavering commitment to his clients’ success. He is a certified mediator and has mediated and arbitrated a variety of cases, demonstrating his ability to achieve resolutions that meet his clients’ needs. His deep understanding of the legal process, combined with his exceptional trial skills, makes him a formidable advocate for his clients.

Mr. Coats' legal accomplishments speak for themselves: Serving as lead counsel for a contractor sued in multiple venues for wrongful death and personal injury actions arising out of the ConAgra Slim Jim Plant Explosion; Serving as lead counsel for a contractor sued for alleged construction defects in 159 chain restaurants in 11 states; Winning a jury verdict and a judgment of no liability after a multi-week construction defect trial for a general contractor that constructed a multi-million dollar residential project; Securing dismissals for multiple defendants in a taxpayer derivative action in which plaintiff sought to recover more than $15 million for an alleged fraud and conspiracy surrounding the construction and operation of an entertainment complex; Serving as lead defense counsel in multiple assisted living facility memory care unit wrongful death and personal injury claims; Serving as lead counsel for the general contractor, developer, or owner in over 125 construction defect and construction contract suits throughout the State; Serving as lead counsel for the general contractor or developer in over a dozen suits involving alleged construction defects in large condominium complex or hotel construction defect suits on the North Carolina and South Carolina coast.

Education & Credentials: David S. Coats is a highly respected legal professional with a strong foundation of education and experience. He has been recognized in Best Attorney USA since 2007, and has been inducted as a fellow in The Litigation Counsel of America - an invitation only trial lawyer honor society - and as a member of The Multi-Million Dollar Advocates Forum. Mr. Coats has lectured at over 25 continuing education seminars for organizations such as the North Carolina Bar Association, the North Carolina Association of Defense Attorneys, the North Carolina Advocates for Justice, and the North Carolina Academy of Trial Lawyers, covering topics including insurance bad faith, construction litigation, construction liens, insurance coverage litigation, jury selection, and trial techniques.

Bar Admissions: Mr. Coats is admitted to practice in North Carolina and South Carolina, demonstrating his commitment to providing comprehensive legal services to clients in both states. His extensive experience, combined with his dedication to his clients, makes him a trusted and effective legal advocate.