Biography
Caroline represents financial services institutions, governmental entities, and companies regarding a broad range of legal matters, including disputes involving commercial contracts, fraud, breach of fiduciary duty, and unfair and deceptive trade practices. She has represented companies and individuals in cases involving both tort and contractual liability, at the trial and appellate levels. She also has significant experience representing governmental entities in litigation in state and federal courts and in litigating constitutional voting-related and redistricting cases at the trial and appellate levels. In addition to voting-related litigation, Caroline has advised local governments with respect to election laws and redistricting.
She routinely represents banks and other financial institutions in all types of litigation in state and federal courts. In this capacity, she defends lender liability claims while also handling all aspects of collection matters for banks. In addition, she regularly represents landlords in commercial lease disputes and individuals and companies in professional malpractice matters. Caroline also maintains an active pro bono practice.
Areas of Focus
+Litigation
- Eugene Dunston v. Wake County Sheriff Donnie Harrison, et al; (United States District Court for the Eastern District of North Carolina, 2015) – After an eight day jury trial, a 12-member jury issued a complete defense verdict for the Sheriff of Wake County and three of his detention officers. Plaintiff, a detainee in the jail, claimed the officers used excessive force against him on three separate occasions and sued them for violating his Constitutional rights under 42 U.S.C. 1983. He also made claims for battery and negligence, and he made a claim against the Sheriff for negligent supervision. The case was hotly contested as to all issues and included an intermediate appeal to the United States Court of Appeals for the 4th Circuit to address the defense of qualified immunity for the defendants. At trial, both parties presented evidence by fact and expert witnesses. Video of the jail and the incidents was presented, which was closely analyzed by the jury. The plaintiff made a pre-trial settlement demand of $225,000, but claimed to have over $400,000 in attorney’s fees, which can be awarded in 1983 cases. The trial court granted the officers a directed verdict as to the claims against them for negligence. After deliberating for five hours, the jury rendered a verdict absolving each defendant as to each of the remaining claims. The negligent supervision claim, which had been bifurcated, was dismissed by the trial judge. This was reportedly the first jury trial against Wake County or the Sheriff in over 20 years. Nick Ellis and Caroline were able to successfully defend these law enforcement officers in a time when their actions are being closely scrutinized by the public and the media.
- Henry v. North Carolina Acupuncture Licensing Board (United States District Court for the Middle District of North Carolina) – Caroline serves as counsel to the plaintiffs in this federal antitrust lawsuit brought by North Carolina physical therapists and their patients over access to dry needling, a type of physical therapy.
- Savage v. Zelent (North Carolina Court of Appeals) – Caroline and litigation partner Dan Cahill successfully domesticated a Scottish judgment for their client, Mr. Savage. The case was appealed by the defendant to the Court of Appeals, which, in a case of first impression, decided an issue of statutory interpretation under the North Carolina Uniform Foreign-Country Money Judgments Recognition Act in favor of Mr. Savage.
+General Government Needs
- Represented more than 10 local elected bodies in implementing new electoral districts following the 2020 Census
- Regularly advises local governments and election boards with respect to election laws
+Financial Transactions Litigation
- Regularly represent lending institutions in collection actions in North Carolina, including obtaining ancillary relief through claim and delivery, attachment, and related proceedings.
- Represented bank in lender liability action asserting tort and contractual claims in Wake County, North Carolina.
+Government & Constitutional Litigation
- Covington v. State of North Carolina (United States District Court for the Middle District of North Carolina; United States Supreme Court); Harris v. McCrory (United States District Court for the Middle District of North Carolina; United States Supreme Court); Dickson v. Rucho (North Carolina Supreme Court; United States Supreme Court); Common Cause v. Rucho (United States District Court for the Middle District of North Carolina; United States Supreme Court); Common Cause v. Lewis ( North Carolina Superior Court) – Caroline, along with partner Eddie Speas, served as counsel to the plaintiffs in these challenges to the legislative and congressional redistricting plans enacted by the General Assembly in 2011 (Covington , Harris, and Dickson), 2016 (Rucho), and 2017 (Lewis).
Credentials
+Education
Wake Forest University School of Law, J.D., 2010
University of North Carolina, B.A., 2007
+Notable Accomplishments
Recognized in The Best Lawyers in America® (Appellate Practice) 2025
Ranked in Business North Carolina magazine’s “Legal Elite” Young Guns category, 2015
Ranked among Super Lawyers magazine’s North Carolina “Rising Stars” (Business Litigation), 2015, 2016, 2017-2018
2016 and 2017 North Carolina Pro Bono Honor Society
2018 and 2023 Benchmark Litigation 40 & Under Hot List
Named Defender of Democracy by Common Cause, 2019
+Professional & Community Activities
Food Runners Collaborative board member
Meals on Wheels of Wake County board member, 2016-2021
Legal Aid Lawyer-on-the-Line pro bono volunteer
Pro Bono Appellate Counsel, North Carolina Guardian ad Litem program
North Carolina Bar Association Young Lawyers Division
Federal Bar Association
Defense Research Institute
North Carolina Association of Defense Attorneys
Wake County Bar Association
Meals on Wheels Young Professionals, Co-Chair, 2012 – 2017
