Overall Rating
This is an aggregated review score of Avvo and Lawyers.com reviews.
This is an aggregated review score of Avvo and Lawyers.com reviews.
5.0 /5.0
13 Client Reviews
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W. Scott Harkey
also known as Scott Harkey
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About W. Scott
Biography
My law practice focuses primarily on high stakes litigation. I represent businesses and individuals in State and Federal courts. In recent years, I achieved favorable verdicts in some of the most notorious fraud cases in modern North Carolina history, including a $ million contract fraud case, the UNC athlete agent scandal, and a multi-million-dollar Ponzi scheme. In 2018, I became a North Carolina State Bar Board Certified Specialist in state criminal law.
My philosophy is to be fully engaged in the representation of my clients. I will communicate candidly, prepare thoroughly, and advocate zealously. This is my promise.
Former prosecutor and Board-Certified Specialist in NC Criminal Law. Scott has handled thousands of complex matters in over 60 NC counties. His cases have been featured in national publications including USA Today, Associated Press, Adweek, Washington Post, Washington Times, Newsweek, CNN, & ESPN.
Former prosecutor and Board-Certified Specialist in NC Criminal Law. Scott has handled thousands of complex matters in over 60 NC counties. His cases have been featured in national publications including USA Today, Associated Press, Adweek, Washington Post, Washington Times, Newsweek, CNN, & ESPN.
Practice Areas
4
Practice Areas
Criminal Defense
25%
Ethics and Professional Responsibility
25%
Federal Crime
25%
White Collar Crime
25%
Fees and Rates
Cost
Payment Methods
- Cash
- Check
- Credit Card
Licenses
Licensed in North Carolina for 13 years
State: North Carolina
Acquired: 2012
No misconduct found
Location
Gallery
Online Presence
Other places you can find W. Scott online.
W. Scott Harkey's Reviews
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Practice Areas
Showing 1 - 1 of 1 review | Advocacy
Posted by Grant | August 07, 2021 | Hired Attorney | Criminal Defense
Dismissed is possible
Mr Harley was very courteous. He made sure that I and him had a common plan, that got fulfilled by the Judges verdict: dismissal!
W. Scott Harkey's Lawyer Endorsements
"Scott is a talented and seasoned trial attorney. His vast experience in white-collar and complex business cases makes him a top choice for any client in need of a successful litigator."
"I've known Scott for over a decade now. I have always known him to be intelligent, hard working, and a zealous advocate. Over the course of his career, I have been consistently impressed with the results he has achieved. I would unequivocally trust him to handle a case for me or my family."
"Scott served as opposing counsel on two separate cases. He was a very strong advocate for his client, always well-prepared and a consummate professional."
"I had the pleasure of working with Scott during his tenure as a Financial Crimes Prosecutor. In my 10+ years of practice as a criminal defense attorney, I can honestly say that I have yet to work with a prosecutor with more integrity, intelligence, and desire to do the right thing, which is administer justice not just win. Scott was never one to rush to judgement or focus solely on securing a conviction. Many prosecutors abuse the power their position yields them, but Scott was not that type of prosecutor. Rather, Scott was always open to discussion, assessing the discovery/evidence from an objective view, and ensuring he did the right thing even if it meant dismissing charges. Now that he has transitioned to criminal defense, he will be nothing short of an asset to the defense bar, and more importantly his clients."
Michael Moore
Criminal defense lawyer
Christopher Beechler
Criminal defense lawyer
Michael Holoman
Medical malpractice lawyer
Benjamin Royster
Criminal defense lawyer
Ryan Stump
Criminal defense lawyer
Experience
Honors
2025
Super Lawyer, Super Lawyers
2024
Super Lawyer, Super Lawyers
2023
Super Lawyer, Super Lawyers
2018
Board Certified Specialist - Criminal Law, North Carolina State Bar
Work Experience
2013 - 2021
Senior Financial Crimes Prosecutor, State Of North Carolina
Associations
2021 - Present
North Carolina Bar Association FoundationCivic Education and Engaement Committee Member
2020 - Present
North Carolina Bar AssociationExecutive Committee
2019 - Present
Forsyth County Bar AssociationMember
2019 - Present
Forsyth Business Lawyers AssociationMember
2018 - Present
North Carolina Bar AssociationCriminal Justice Section Council
2018 - Present
Forsyth County Bar AssociationMember
2018 - Present
American Inns of CourtBarrister
2012 - Present
North Carolina State BarMember
Sample of Legal Cases
State v. Byrd
Education
2012
Campbell University, Norman Adrian Wiggins School
JD - Juris Doctor
2007
North Carolina State University
BA - Bachelor of Arts
Speaking Engagements
2021
Webinar Wednesday
Admissibility & Presentation of Business Records.
2021
Webinar
Using 404(b) in Financial Crimes Cases
2021
Annual Meeting
Accessing and Organizing Records in Elder Exploitation Cases
2020
Webinar
Right to Financial Privacy
2020
Webinar
Right to Financial Privacy for Investigators
2019
Elder Abuse Conference
Elder Abuse in North Carolina
2018
Proseuction in North Carolina
White-Collar Prosecution
2018
Money Matters Conference
Charging Decisions in Financial Crimes Cases
2018
Money Matters Conference
Charging Decisions in Financial Crimes Cases
2017
Money Matters Conference
Getting your Documents; North Carolina’s Financial Privacy Act
2016
Webinar
Asset Seizure in Elder Exploitation Cases
2016
Money Matters Conference
Financial Privacy Act
2016
Insurance Fraud Summit
Financial Crimes in North Carolina
2015
Summer Association Meeting
Financial Crimes in North Carolina
2015
Money Matters Conference
Charge It – Financial Crimes
2014
Money Matters Conference
Charging Decisions in Financial Crimes Cases
Publications
2021
Harkey Litigation News & Insights
Embezzlement in North Carolina
2020
NOW COMES THE STATE
The Admissibility and Presentation of Business Records
2019
NOW COMES THE STATE
Restitution: A Prosecutor’s Guide
2014
The White-Collar
Necessity of Live Testimony for Business Records Evidence
2013
The White-Collar
Embezzlement by Insurance Agents
Languages
English