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Timothy J. Vanderweert

This lawyer was disciplined by a state licensing authority in 1997. Read more
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Avvo Rating10
  • Raleigh, NC
  • Licensed for 30 years
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About Timothy

I am a 1990 graduate of the School of Law of The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, where I attended as a Van Hecke Scholar. I have also earned degrees in the humanities from Duke University and the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.

 

I have practiced law since 1990. I devote my legal practice almost exclusively to DWI/DUI and traffic cases. Since 1990, I have represented more than 20,000 clients. These have included numerous DWI cases that presented challenging legal issues and significant obstacles, and I have successfully defended many clients who were advised by others to simply plead guilty.

 

Someone once said that "experience is the name that people give to their previous mistakes." It's true. Lawyers learn by doing. In learning their craft, they learn hard lessons, often at the expense of the people who hire them. The truth is this: I am a much better attorney after having practiced for 28 years than I was after 2, or 5, or 10, or 15 years. At this point in my career, after representing thousands of people like you, I've pretty much seen it all. I know what works....and what doesn't. I've learned that good, really good, DWI defense, is the result of dedication to the specific expertise required of DWI law coupled with the experience of having done it time and time again. So, when deciding who to entrust your DWI defense to, first ask yourself what specific experience does this attorney have in representing DWI defendants? How many years have they practiced? Do they specialize in DWI defense, or do they claim to do all sorts of different law? How many DWI cases have they tried? Finally, ask yourself this: do I want my defense to be a learning experience for my attorney, or should I entrust my defense to an experienced, competent attorney who won't be learning at my expense?

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Practice areas

Speeding and traffic ticketDUI and DWI
  1. DUI and DWI: 90%

    I have successfully represented clients charged with DWI/DUI in Wake, Durham, Johnston and Orange Counties in North Carolina since 1990. My practice is specialized in DWI/DUI defense, and I represented literally thousands of clients in my 24 years of practice.

    32 years, 5,000 cases

  2. Speeding and traffic ticket: 10%

    I have successfully represented clients charged with traffic offenses in Wake, Durham, Johnston and Orange Counties in North Carolina since 1990.

    32 years, 24,000 cases

Languages spoken

English, French

Photos and videos

1732276 1384385266

Contact

5 W Hargett St Rm 403
address map

5 W Hargett St Rm 403
Raleigh, NC, 27601-1478

      Resume

      License
      StateStatusAcquiredUpdated
      NCActive199001/23/2021

      Professional misconduct


      This lawyer was disciplined by a state licensing authority.

      • Censure
        issued in NC, 1997

        updated on 11/09/2013

        This means the attorney did something wrong, but the Bar did not suspend the lawyer. Typically in this case the lawyer's poor behavior is exposed to the public in hopes that he or she will not repeat the behavior.

        Timothy's comment:“In 1996, I accepted a position in Law at the University of Amsterdam for year. I hired another attorney to manage my practice while away. After moving to Europe, the attorney I hired left my practice without notice. It took me one month to sever ties with University and move back to USA to deal with pending clients she had left high and dry. The attorney I hired has since been disciplined extensively and is, frankly, a complete nut. Lesson learned.”

      Avvo Contributions
      Legal answers19
      Legal guides0
      Awards
      Award nameGrantorDate granted
      10 Best DWI Client Satisfaction AwardAmerican Institute of DUI/DWI Attorneys2014
      100 Best DWI AttorneysNational Advocacy for DUI Defense LLC2014
      Highest Rated Lawyer, Raleigh, NClawyerratingz.com2014
      100 Best DWI AttorneysNational Advocacy for DUI Defense LLC2013
      Highest Rated LawyerLawyerRatingz.com2013
      Highest Rated LawyerLawyerRatingz.com2012
      Highest Rated LawyerLawyerRatingz.com2011
      Highest Rated LawyerLawyerRatingz.com2010
      Maurice T. Van Hecke Law Alumni Association ScholarshipMaurice T. Van Hecke Law Alumni Association1987
      Work Experience
      TitleCompany nameDuration
      Senior AttorneyLaw Office Timothy Vanderweert1990 - Present
      Legal InternYates, McLamb & Weyher, LLP1989 - 1989
      Legal InternGlaxo Smith Kline1988 - 1988
      Associations
      Association namePosition nameDuration
      DUI Defense Lawyers AssociationMember2014 - Present
      Wake County Bar AssociationMember2006 - Present
      Wake County Academy of Criminal Trial LawyersMember2006 - Present
      National Association of Criminal Defense LawyersMember2006 - Present
      North Carolina Bar Association FoundationMember1990 - Present
      North Carolina BarLicensed Attorney1990 - Present
      Publications
      Publication nameTitleDate
      SPEOS ParisDroit a l'Image in French civil and penal Law2005
      SPEOS ParisPrivacy Rights and Rights to One's Image2004
      Education
      School nameDegreeGraduated
      Duke UniversityMA - Masters1998
      University of North Carolina School of LawJD - Juris Doctor1990
      University of North Carolina, Chapel HillMA - Masters1986
      Speaking Engagements
      Conference nameTitleDate
      Justice For AllFree Legal Aid2013
      Ask a Lawyer DayDWI Law2012
      University of North Carolina School of LawStarting a Solo Law Practice1996
      Seminar, Amsterdam School of international RelationsAmerican Criminal Law and Procedure1996
      University of North Carolina School of LawStarting a Solo Law Practice1995
      University of North Carolina School of LawStarting a Solo Law Practice1994
      class offering, Central Carolina Community CollegeSeminar on Basics of NC Law1994
      Legal cases
      Case nameOutcome
      State v. JSCharges Dismissed. No Reasonable Suspicion found for the stop of the defendant's vehicle
      State v. BB, Wake County Superior Courtall charges dismissed by State
      State v. TJ, Wake County Superior CourtNot Guilty Jury Verdict
      State v. DB, Wake County Superior CourtAll charges dismissed by State
      State v. LS, Wake County Superior CourtAll charges dismissed in Superior Court
      State v. TC, Wake County Superior CourtAll charges dismissed by State
      State v. RG, Wake County District CourtDismissed by state
      State v. RB, Wake County District CourtDismissed by State
      State v Robert B, Wake County District CourtNot Guilty After Trial
      State v. Allison W, Durham County District CourtAll charges dismissed by State
      State v. JJ, Wake County District CourtCase Dismissed upon Motion.
      State v. JA, Wake County District CourtNot Guilty after trial
      State v. Dominic G., Orange County District CourtDWI and speeding charges dismissed after Motion.

      Reviews

      (53)
      5 Star
      		96%
      4 Star
      		0%
      3 Star
      		2%
      2 Star
      		0%
      1 Star
      		2%
      Review Timothy Vanderweert

      Thank you!

      Posted by

      Tim and his team have been absolutely amazing helping me with my speeding tickets. Very quick replies, always kind and professional, and they get the job done as long as it’s doable. Thank you guys for saving my license!
      This review is from a person who hired this attorney.
      Hired attorney

      Excellent Representation

      Posted by

      Mr. Vanderweert did a great job for me. He went above and beyond to make sure my kid wasn’t punished for his stupidity. As a parent I’m very grateful. As he said, kid’s screw up. It’s our job to make sure they learn from it without screwing up their life.
      This review is from a person who hired this attorney.
      Hired attorney

      Champion Lawyer!

      Posted by

      A true champion among men! I was charged with DWI in August and, at the recommendation of some good friends, hired Mr. Vanderweert to represent me in an attempt to get it dismissed. After normal court proceedings of getting the trial date selected (about 3.5 months), Mr. Vanderweert successfully had the charges dismissed. I'm grateful to Donna for being so thorough getting me through the initial stages of dealing with the charges by quickly getting my temporary driving privileges and making sure that I was as prepared as possible for all potential outcomes of the case. I have trouble Not worrying about things, especially such momentous events that will affect my life for years to come, but thanks to Tim and Donna, the process was smooth and easy to understand and resulted in the best possible outcome. I'm extremely satisfied that I chose Mr. Vanderweert to represent me for this case and hope to not need his services again in the future.
      This review is from a person who hired this attorney.
      Hired attorney

      In Tim we trust ! - Your only stop for DWI

      Posted by

      So this is my success story with Mr. Tim Vanderweert. Hope this inspires others to take the right decision and look no further. It brings me great pleasure to echo some of the fabulous reviews that have already been posted for Mr. Vanderweert . I was arrested for DWI in Aug 2018 and I got my case DISMISSED today. The last 3.5 months had been very stressful. But Mr. Vanderweert and Paralegal Donna were with me throughout this tough time and helped me to achieve this positive outcome. Since it was my first DWI - and will be my last too ;) , I was really worried especially after blowing a .12. I researched avvo.com , checked out atleast 4-5 attorneys in the area and when I came across Mr. Tim Vanderweert, that was it. The stats speak for themselves and he became my go-to person from that day for this case. I called his office the same weekend and he was kind and gracious to give me a personal appointment that same day. His depth of knowledge with law, vision of loopholes invisible to the normal eye, tons of experience with the Justice system was all evident from the very first day I met him and that encouraged me to take the next step forward without any second thought or hesitation since I was keen on getting this off my record that had been clean so far. Donna had also been very accommodative and responsive of all my questions during this period and made sure I had everything when I needed - starting from the Limited Driving Privilege to sharing the discovery , sharing my court appointment dates,and helping me with answers to random questions I used to get in my nervous breakdowns. My case was scheduled today and was dismissed. All thanks to Tim, who was able to dissect the case to a point where the stop by the officer had a legal issue and the remainder was not discussed . I wanted to share the good news as promptly as possible so that people who have their cases scheduled can go ahead and make their decision without any doubt or delay. For those who are already clients of Tim, and whose cases are yet to be heard in near future, I encourage you to come read these great reviews so your trust is reinforced and it helps you sleep assured. There are scriptures and religions that profess that "God appears in different forms and yet remains invisible" . All I can say is I have been fortunate in seeing "Him in Tim" through this unfortunate episode. In Tim we trust !
      This review is from a person who hired this attorney.
      Hired attorney

      The ONLY Lawyer to hire!

      Posted by

      I received a DUI going through a check point. It was my one and only encounter with the police. I was so embarrassed! Tim met with me, he made me feel more at ease. We had many court dates. His paralegal Donna was amazing. She kept me informed every step of the way. He and Donna never allowed me to worry about details. I knew what to expect every step of the way. Tim is extremely knowledgeable and was able to get my case dismissed. Through out my ordeal I watched many DUI Attorneys and I feel that Tim is very respected by the court and the other Attorneys. I truly do not feel I would have had the positive outcome without his representation. I am forever grateful.
      This review is from a person who hired this attorney.
      Hired attorney

      DWI

      Posted by

      I hired Tim vanderweert couple months a go today my case was dismissed Tim know what his doing highly recommended and don’t forget a big thanks to Donna she was great thanks again
      This review is from a person who hired this attorney.
      Hired attorney

      Hands Down the Best Attorney

      Posted by

      Mr. Vanderweert represented me on a DUI charge. He is hands down the best DUI attorney practicing law in Wake County. He explained the process thoroughly during the consultation. He provided excellent support during a very stressful time, which really helped to mitigate the stress associated with being charged with a crime. He did an excellent job soliciting testimony from the arresting officer. His knowledge of DUI is exceptional. Mr. Vanderweert has a significant amount of criminal defense experience and this experience is invaluable in circumstances like this. Ultimately, his knowledge, experience, and thoroughness in witness examination combined to help me receive a dismissal of the DUI charges. I would highly recommend using Mr. Vanderweert if you are charged with a DUI. Mr. Vanderweert definitely knows what it takes to receive a favorable outcome.
      This review is from a person who hired this attorney.
      Hired attorney

      I can't say enough: Hire Tim Vanderveert

      Posted by

      I needed representation in Raleigh (Wake County) for something that was potentially a long shot case. I live out of state and needed someone that I could trust to navigate the local environment and find the best way to progress the case. I interviewed at least half a dozen different lawyers in the area. Both Tim and Donna were extremely knowledgeable, happy to share that information, and extremely easy to deal with. A flat fee gave me the visibility up front for what I was committing to and made it very easy to engage. We have just wrapped up a two year ordeal. Tim was active and engaged, gave great advice, stayed in touch and kept me up to date. This was my first time going through this, but I have now learned a lot. In particular, I got to see a lot of other lawyers in action while sitting in the courtroom. It made me even more confident in my selection - Tim was head an shoulders above the others. Tim's skillful navigation resulted in a dismissal, the best outcome I could have hoped for. While I hope to not need similar representation in the future, I would not hesitate to recommend Tim Vanderveert.
      This review is from a person who hired this attorney.
      Hired attorney

      Old DWI Charge

      Posted by

      Mr. Vanderweert represented me in two different counties. He got the best ending he could for what I was dealing with. I recommend Mr. Vanderweert.
      This review is from a person who hired this attorney.
      Hired attorney

      Amazing DUI/DWI Lawyer

      Posted by

      Back in August 2016, I got pulled over and blew a 0.09. After months of continuance, professional advice and patience, Tim got my case dismissed! If you find yourself in this situation, don't hesitate, he is the best one in town!
      This review is from a person who hired this attorney.
      Hired attorney
      See all reviews

      Attorney endorsements

      (29)
      Are you an attorney? Endorse this lawyer

      Jamil Khuja, DUI and DWI Attorney on Dec 23, 2013
      Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

      Tim is recognized as one of the top DUI attorneys in the country. He leaves no stone unturned when defending against a DUI charge. Anybody being represented by him is in excellent hands.

      Bobby Frederick, DUI and DWI Attorney on Dec 23, 2013
      Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

      Timothy Vanderweert knows his stuff, and he is one of a small number of attorneys who has focused their practice on DWI defense. I recommend him to anyone who has been accused of DWI in North Carolina.

      Derek Jacques, DUI and DWI Attorney on Nov 1, 2018
      Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

      Mr. Vanderweert is an amazing advocate for those in need. I would not hesitate to send my own clients his way.

      Amir Soleimanian

      I endorse this lawyer.

      Alexandra Gonzalez-Waddington, Criminal defense Attorney on Oct 14, 2015
      Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

      I endorse this lawyer.

      Judd Nemiro

      I endorse this lawyer for always putting the clients needs first.

      Mark Andrews, DUI and DWI Attorney on Dec 19, 2014
      Relationship: Other

      Tim is an excellent DUI attorney. I highly recommend Timothy Vanderweert.

      Christopher Benevento, DUI and DWI Attorney on Dec 16, 2014
      Relationship: Other

      Mr. Vanderweert is a great attorney who stays ahead of trends in the law.

      Richard Geller

      I strongly endorse Timothy. Highly respected in the legal community with an outstanding reputation for client advocacy and dedication.

      John O'Brien, DUI and DWI Attorney on Apr 11, 2014
      Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

      I endorse this lawyer. A highly skilled and respected lawyer in the legal community.

      Adam Smallow, DUI and DWI Attorney on Apr 10, 2014
      Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

      I endorse this lawyer. If you are facing DUI/DWI charges, he is the attorney you want in court by your side.

      Ada Ferrer, DUI and DWI Attorney on Feb 28, 2014
      Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

      An excellent attorney, Mr. Vanderweert is highly regarded in the legal community and in his area of practice.

      David Dischley, DUI and DWI Attorney on Feb 26, 2014
      Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

      I endorse this lawyer. He is an excellent DUI | DWI lawyer.

      Brian Thoman, DUI and DWI Attorney on Feb 20, 2014
      Relationship: Worked together on matter

      Tim is an excellent attorney with an even better reputation. If you choose to enlist him as your attorney you'll not regret your decision. His experience and talent are second to none.

      Justin Lovely, DUI and DWI Attorney on Feb 14, 2014
      Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

      I endorse this lawyer.

      Peter Leehey, DUI and DWI Attorney on Jan 16, 2014
      Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

      I endorse this lawyer.Tim has an outstanding reputation in his field.

      Aaron Harper, DUI and DWI Attorney on Jan 10, 2014
      Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

      He is outstanding DWI lawyer that knows how to aggressively defend DWI cases. He is an asset to the legal community.

      Tiffany Russell, DUI and DWI Attorney on Jan 8, 2014
      Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

      I endorse Attorney Vanderweet. I have watched him in the courtroom and he is a fighter for his clients. I have endorsed him personally to clients and will continue to do so.

      Emile Barton, DUI and DWI Attorney on Jan 4, 2014
      Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

      I endorse this lawyer. I am familiar with the work of Attorney Vanderweert. He is a very capable attorney with a very high work ethic; an attorney who provides pragmatic and thoughtful solutions to the legal needs of the local community. I recommend him without hesitation.

      Zachary Reibstein, DUI and DWI Attorney on Jan 3, 2014
      Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

      I endorse this lawyer.

      Tony Rollman, DUI and DWI Attorney on Dec 26, 2013
      Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

      Tim is an excellent attorney. I highly recommend him to anyone charged with a DWI in North Carolina.

      Alexander Segal, DUI and DWI Attorney on Dec 26, 2013
      Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

      I endorse Mr. Vanderweert. Great lawyer with extensive experience and very impressive resume.it is my pleasure to have this opportunity to issue my utmost recommendation.