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W. Scott Harkey

W. Scott Harkey

Former Prosecutor & Board Certified Specialist in NC Criminal Law.
  • Criminal Law, White Collar Crime, Stockbroker & Investment Fraud ...
  • North Carolina
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Biography

Harkey Litigation in North Carolina is managed by W. Scott Harkey, who previously served as a special prosecutor for the Financial Crimes Unit from March 2013 until May 2021. Prior to that, he worked at a law firm in Raleigh, North Carolina, where he defended civil cases.

Scott has an impressive track record of successfully trying jury cases in both state and federal courts in North Carolina, and has secured favorable verdicts in multi-million-dollar disputes. He even obtained his first multi-million-dollar judgment at the young age of 28. Since 2013, Scott has tried more complex white-collar cases in North Carolina than any other lawyer.

Scott specializes in high-stakes litigation, representing businesses and individuals in state and federal courts. In recent years, he has achieved favorable verdicts in some of the most notorious fraud cases in modern North Carolina history, including a $269.9 million contract fraud case, the UNC athlete agent scandal, and a multi-million-dollar Ponzi scheme. He is a North Carolina State Bar Board Certified Specialist in state criminal law.

As a former prosecutor and board-certified specialist, Scott has extensive experience handling cases in over 60 North Carolina counties. He frequently lectures and advises on issues related to economic malfeasances, such as fraud, financial privacy, public corruption, and other white-collar matters. A large portion of his practice focuses on high-profile criminal cases, which have been featured in national publications like USA Today, Associated Press, ESPN, Seattle Times, Washington Post, Washington Times, Newsweek, CNN, and Adweek magazine.

Education
Campbell Law School
J.D. (2012)
Honors: Honors, Advanced Trial & Appellate Advocacy
Campbell Law School Logo
North Carolina State University
B.A. (2007)
Honors: cum laude
North Carolina State University Logo
Professional Experience
Attorney & Managing Partner
Harkey Litigation
- Current
Senior Financial Crimes Prosecutor
State of North Carolina
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White Collar Prosecutor
State of North Carolina
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Associate Attorney
Broughton, Wilkins, Sugg, & Thompson
Temporary Law Clerk
North Carolina Court of Appeals
Research Assistant
Campbell University, Norman Adrian Wiggins School of Law
Law Clerk
United States Attorney's Office, Eastern District of North Carolina
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Publications
Articles & Publications
Embezzlement in North Carolina
Harkey Litigation
The Admissibility and Presentation of Business Records
Now Comes the State
Restitution: A Prosecutor’s Guide
Now Comes the State
Necessity of Live Testimony for Business Records Evidence
The White-Collar, Issue 5
Embezzlement by Insurance Agents
The White-Collar, Issue 3
Speaking Engagements
Charging Decisions in Financial Crimes Cases, Money Matters Conference
Financial Crime in North Carolina, Summer Association Meeting
Charge It – Financial Crimes, Money Matters Conference
Financial Crimes in North Carolina, NICB/SCINS Insurance Fraud Summit
Asset Seizure in Elder Exploitation Cases, Money Matters Conference
Financial Privacy Act, Money Matters Conference
Getting your Documents; North Carolina’s Financial Privacy Act, Money Matters Conference
Charging Decisions in Financial Crimes Cases, Money Matters Conference
White-Collar Prosecution, Campbell Law School
Charging Decisions in Financial Crimes Cases, Money Matters Conference
Elder Abuse in North Carolina, Elder Abuse Conference
Right to Financial Privacy, CLE Webinar
Right to Financial Privacy for Investigators, CLE Webinar
Admissibility & Presentation of Business Records, Arizona Prosecuting Attorneys’ Advisory Council
Using 404(b) in Financial Crimes Cases, North Carolina Conference of District Attorneys
Accessing and Organizing Records in Elder Exploitation Cases, North Carolina Partnership to Address Adult Abuse Annual Meeting
Certifications
Certified Superior Court Mediator
North Carolina Dispute Resolution Commission
Board Certified Specialist - North Carolina Criminal Law
North Carolina State Bar
Awards
AV Preeminent Rating
Martindale-Hubbell
Client Champion - Silver
Martindale Hubbell
10.0 Superb Rating
Avvo
Mentor of the Year
Communities In Schools of North Carolina, Charles England Elementary School
Task Force of the Year Member
International Association of Financial Crimes Investigators
Professional Associations
North Carolina State Bar  # 44433
Member
Current
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North Carolina Bar Association
Member
Current
Activities: Criminal Justice Section, Chair, 2023-present, Vice-Chair, 2022-2023; Executive Committee, 2020-present; Criminal Justice Section, Council Member, 2017-2021; White-Collar Task Force, Past Chair
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American Bar Association
Member
Current
Activities: Criminal Justice Section
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Forsyth County Bar Association
Member
Current
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Davidson County Bar Association
Member
Current
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Chief Justice Joseph Branch Inn of Court
Member
Current
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North Carolina Bar Foundation
Member
Current
Activities: Civic Education & Engagement Committee, 2020-present
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Forsyth County Business Lawyers Association
Member
Current
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18th Judicial District Bar Association
Member
Current
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21st Judicial District Bar Association
Member
Current
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Jurisdictions Admitted to Practice
North Carolina
North Carolina State Bar
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United States District Court, Middle District North Carolina
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United States District Court, Western District North Carolina
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Fees
  • Free Consultation
  • Credit Cards Accepted
  • Contingent Fees
Practice Areas
Criminal Law
Criminal Appeals, Drug Crimes, Expungement, Fraud, Gun Crimes, Internet Crimes, Sex Crimes, Theft, Violent Crimes
White Collar Crime
Stockbroker & Investment Fraud
DUI & DWI
Arbitration & Mediation
Business - Arbitration/Mediation, Consumer - Arbitration/Mediation
Business Law
Business Contracts, Business Dissolution, Business Finance, Business Formation, Business Litigation, Franchising, Mergers & Acquisitions, Partnership & Shareholder Disputes
Languages
  • English
Legal Answers
Q. Do dismissed cases show up on your criminal record?
A: In North Carolina, even if your charges are dismissed, your criminal record will indicate that you were charged with the offense. Your record will also show that the charge was dismissed. An experienced attorney can assist you with having it expunged from your record so it will not show up at all.
Q. im out on bond on house arrest does it count as jail time?
A: No. You do not get credit toward confinement while on Electronic House Arrest. The applicable statute can be found at N.C. Gen. Stat. § 15-196.1. As always, consult your attorney regarding the specifics of your case.

https://www.ncleg.gov/EnactedLegislation/Statutes/PDF/BySection/Chapter_15/GS_15-196.1.pdf
Q. What is the penalty for a conviction of having a weapon of mass destruction
A: Possession of a weapon of mass destruction is a class F felony in North Carolina. Depending on the defendant’s prior record, the offense is punishable by 10 months minimum and 59 months maximum.
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Websites & Blogs
Website
Harkey Litigation
Blog
Harkey Litigation
Contact & Map
Harkey Litigation
380 Knollwood St.
Suite 305
Winston Salem, NC 27103
Telephone: (336) 733-7767
Monday: 8 AM - 5 PM
Tuesday: 8 AM - 5 PM
Wednesday: 8 AM - 5 PM (Today)
Thursday: 8 AM - 5 PM
Friday: 8 AM - 5 PM
Saturday: Closed
Sunday: Closed