Kathleen Cunningham Clary

PRO

Kathleen Cunningham Clary

also known as KATIE CLARY

5.0
108 reviews
This is an aggregated review score of Avvo and Lawyers.com reviews.
Rating: 10.0

Licensed for 16 years

Criminal defense Lawyer at CHARLOTTE, NC
Practice Areas: Criminal Defense, Domestic Violence, DUI & DWI

1011 E. MOREHEAD STREET, CHARLOTTE, NC

About Kathleen

Practice Areas

3

Practice Areas

Criminal Defense 40%

40%
DUI and DWI 30%

30%
Domestic Violence 30%

30%

Fees and Rates

We have not found any cost information for this lawyer

Awards

Platinum Client Champion
Client's Choice
Client's Choice
2022 2021 2020
...
+ 5

Licenses

Licensed in North Carolina for 16 years

State: North Carolina

Acquired: 2009

Active

No misconduct found

Location

Law Offices of Kathleen Cunningham Clary

1011 E. MOREHEAD STREET, CHARLOTTE, NC, 28277

rdslaw.com/katie-c-clary/

Kathleen Cunningham Clary's Reviews

5 star

(96)

4 star

(0)

3 star

(0)

2 star

(0)

1 star

(0)

Posted by anonymous | August 21, 2023 | Hired Attorney

This review is from a person who hired this attorney.

The best of the best!!

Sometimes life happens to you. You don't know what to do or who to call. I was given Katie Clary's number. Thank goodness! She treated me like more than a client. Katie is loved and respected even by the judges to the point they want to give her whatever she asks for. That is how good she is at her j...ob. So now I'm going to do what someone did for me, pass the word! Hire her! Consult with her! She won't lead you wrong!

Posted by anonymous | June 22, 2023 | Hired Attorney

This review is from a person who hired this attorney.

The best of the best

Ms. Clary May be small but she is mighty! Her strategy did not disappoint in my case. She thinks outside the box and is completely honest with you. 10 out of 10 for sure.

Posted by anonymous | January 23, 2023 | Hired Attorney

This review is from a person who hired this attorney.

The Real Life Olivia Pope! #itshandled

From the beginning of this legal process (after being referred to Katie from a trusted, astute lawyer), to hearing the verdict of my DWI and Unsafe driving charge being dismissed, to now starting the process of getting my charges expunged, I am soooo happy that I made the right choice in trusting Kat...ie with my life! This was my first run in with the law, so I had an plethora of questions, yet Katie and her team always got back to me in a timely fashion and took the time to thoroughly explain all that I needed to know plus more. (Shout out to Stephanie!) From our initial meetings prior to court, Katie took the time to listen to perspective, the facts, took care of my urgent legal matters, and coached me through this waiting period in a way that was calming. Watching Katie represent me in front of the court took the experience that I was already appreciative of to another level! She represented me so well that it made me teary eyed in the moment! She knows her stuff, remembers all that you’ve shared, and is in it to win it! Literally, all I had to do was sit back and trust her. Once she won my case and I walked out of the courtroom, individuals who witnessed her represent me were walking up to me saying “You have a good lawyer”. That’s how well represented I was on Katie Clary’s behalf. So thankful for her and her team. With Katie, you’re getting the real life “Olivia Pope” experience! #itshandled

Posted by anonymous | December 27, 2022 | Hired Attorney

This review is from a person who hired this attorney.

Ms. Clary took care of everything

I followed her advice, did what she told me and my case was dismissed. She walked me thru the long process, explained everything and I was taken care of. Highly recommend her.

Posted by Randy | October 12, 2022 | Hired Attorney

This review is from a person who hired this attorney.

Positive experience and service

I had an unfortunate situation involving a BUI on the lake. I contacted Kathy Clary's office and left message. I got a return call back from Ms Clary that day. We discussed my situation for at least 1.5 hours. I was impressed with her attention and details. The case wasn't heard for over 2 years... due to the Pandemic. When the court date finally came Ms Clary and I had a brief telecom the day before and she remembered my case like it happened a week ago. When i arrive at court the next day Ms Clary told me her plan of approach and the results ended with a dismissal. Ms Cary did exactly what she said and kept me informed through out the process. Now working on the expungement. I was very please with my representation and results of a bad experience. Thanks

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Kathleen Cunningham Clary's Lawyer Endorsements

Endorse Kathleen
Mihai Calin Salagean headshot
Mihai Salagean

Unknown lawyer | Oct 13

Relationship: Worked together on matter

"Working with Katie on cases is great as she is extremely knowledgable and a zealous advocate. I would recommend her to anyone that needs expert criminal defense help."

Charles Christopher Adkins headshot
Charles Adkins

Criminal defense lawyer | Oct 13

Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"I have known Katie for several years as an attorney and former police officer. She is very sharp and I have seen her win many criminal defense cases. I endorse and recommend Katie!"

Ronald James Shook II headshot
Ronald Shook

Criminal defense lawyer | Aug 07

Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"Katie is the perfect balance of sweet southern belle and savage attack dog. If you are in trouble, this is the woman that you want on your side!"

Irene Patrice King headshot
Irene King

Criminal defense lawyer | Aug 08

Relationship: Worked together on matter

"Katie Clary is an incredibly skillful and talented criminal defense attorney. She is articulate, thorough and creative. She’s a tenacious advocate for her clients and her work ethic is second to none."

Christopher C. Fialko headshot
Christopher Fialko

Criminal defense lawyer | Aug 01

Relationship: Worked together on matter

"Katie is a force to be reckoned with in the criminal courts in Charlotte. She prepares ferociously, and is brave in pretrial motion hearings and trials. I rarely take on DWI cases anymore unless they are complex and Katie agrees to be co-counsel with me. Together we have succeeded in two such challenging cases recently."

Taylor Goodnight headshot
Taylor Goodnight

Criminal defense lawyer | Aug 01

Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"I have been fortunate enough to work with Katie on a couple of cases. She is tough, detail oriented, and a fantastic trial attorney. She is also a great mentor to young attorneys like me and always makes herself available to answer my questions and help me learn. You can't go wrong with Katie!"

Mark Patrick Foster Jr headshot
Mark Foster

Criminal defense lawyer | Jul 30

Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"I strongly endorse this lawyer. I had the pleasure of working with Katie Clary in the same firm for about five years and have continued to observe her work in and out of the courtroom. She is a dedicated, thorough, and effective advocate for each of her clients."

Timothy John Pavone headshot
Timothy Pavone

DUI and DWI lawyer | Apr 07

Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"Very personable and excellent advocate. Very elequent and sophisticated public speaking skills. I have seen her in front of the judge and I hope to soon achieve her level of advocacy. I would personally hire and can imagine she’s especially effective in front of a jury."

David C. Driscoll headshot
David Driscoll

Criminal defense lawyer | Jan 01

Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"I endorse Ms. Clary. She is a keen advocate who zealously fights for her clients in court. Her demeanor is professional and she is highly regarded in the community."

Eben T. Rawls III headshot
Eben Rawls

Criminal defense lawyer | Oct 06

Relationship: Supervised lawyer

"I endorse this lawyer.Katie Clary is one of the most naturally gifted trial lawyers I have had privilege to observe in my 37 years in the practice of law. Her preparation is exhaustive. Her zeal is readily apparent. Her skill and experience are superior. Her cross examinations should be taught in law schools. Her reputation is outstanding. She has other lawyers observing and taking notes at her trials. And finally, her results are amazing. She has won too many cases to count, many with what looked liked impossible facts to overcome. She has the "IT" factor that only a few talented lawyers possess. Her power of persuasion, to judge or jury, is outstanding. I unhesitatingly recommend Katie Clary to anyone who is in need of a lawyer. She cares deeply about her clients beyond just their legal needs."

Heather W. Culp headshot
Heather Culp

Criminal defense lawyer | Sep 30

Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"I worked with Katie for two years (2012-2014) and have referred numerous clients to her since getting to know her in 2012. As a result, I've observed her and her work first-hand, and have heard back from clients who've hired her. She is everything a criminal defense attorney should be: calm and also passionate, with great instincts and also experienced, compassionate and also tough. Katie has a unique ability to connect with people -- clients, judges, opposing counsel, jurors -- something that is really key in this area of the law."

Daniel Christopher Lyon headshot
Daniel Lyon

Criminal defense lawyer | Nov 25

Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"Katie is an incredibly gifted and skilled advocate who dedicates herself to reaching the best outcome for every client she represents. She is a tremendous trial attorney who aggressively argues on behalf of her clients. I whole-heartedly endorse Katie."

Janeen Jihan Hicks Pierre headshot
Janeen Hicks Pierre

Unknown lawyer | Nov 05

Relationship: Co-worker

"Katie Clary is one of the best criminal defense attorneys in Charlotte. I have seen her pick apart the governments case and get her clients the best possible outcome. Their stress level seems to go way down after talking to Katie. She is an amazing attorney!"

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Mihai Calin Salagean headshot
Mihai Salagean

Family lawyer

David C. Driscoll headshot
David Driscoll

Criminal defense lawyer

Daniel Christopher Lyon headshot
Daniel Lyon

Employment and labor lawyer

Janeen Jihan Hicks Pierre headshot
Janeen Hicks Pierre

Immigration lawyer

William C. Trosch headshot
William Trosch

Litigation lawyer

Experience

Rating:  10.0 (Superb)

Honors

2025

Super Lawyer, Super Lawyers

2024

Super Lawyer, Super Lawyers

2023

Super Lawyer, Super Lawyers

2018

Client Champion Award, Martindale-Hubbell

2015

BV Rated, Martindale-Hubbell

2001

Excellence in Trail Advocay, Cali Award

2000

Best Oralist, Moot Court National Competition

1992

Honors, University of North Carolina School of Law

Work Experience

2009 - Present

Partner, Rawls, Scheer, Clary & Mingo, PLLC

Associations

2016 - Present

North Carolina Advocates for Justice

Chairperson

2010 - Present

North Carolina Association of Women Attorneys

Member

2010 - Present

Charlotte Women's Bar Association

Member

2009 - Present

Mecklenburg County Bar

Member

2009 - Present

North Carolina State Bar

Member

2009 - Present

North Carolina Advocates for Justice, Criminal Defense Section

Member

2009 - Present

National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers

Member

1999 - 2001

Moot Court Honor Society

Member

Education

2001

Wake Forest University School of Law

JD - Juris Doctor

1998

Queens University of Charlotte

BS - Bachelor of Science

Speaking Engagements

2018

Mecklenburg County Bar

Keys to a Masterful Cross Examination

2018

Continuing Legal Education

Cross Examination/Impeachment

2015

Mecklenburg County Criminal Defense Bar

Probable Cause; Probably Not

2013

CLE

DWI, Criminal & Traffic Law Practice Tips

2011

Mecklenburg County Criminal Defense Bar

Checkpoints and Roadblocks; Navigating the Fourth Admendment withing Traffic Stops

Languages

English

Avvo Rating

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  • Legal community recognition Peer endorsements, associations, awards
  • Legal thought leadership Publications, speaking engagements
  • Discipline Disciplinary information may not be comprehensive, or updated. We recommend that you always check a lawyer's disciplinary status with their respective state bar association before hiring them.
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