Daniel E. Peterson

Daniel Peterson focuses his practice on defending professionals, local governments, and businesses in civil disputes. Daniel has experience representing clients in claims involving police liability, constitutional issues, wrongful death, personal and property damage, eminent domain, and professional negligence. Daniel also assists insurance companies on policy coverage determinations in a wide array of issues.

Prior to joining Parker Poe, Daniel served as an assistant city attorney in the Charlotte City Attorney’s Office. He served as sole or lead defense attorney for the city on nearly 80 lawsuits in federal and state courts, on a variety of municipal issues, including appearances before the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit and the N.C. Court of Appeals.

Representative Experience

Obtained summary judgment in favor of a municipality in a challenge to an approved rezoning petition for a proposed mixed-use development. Successfully argued in the North Carolina Court of Appeals that the plaintiff lacked standing to file suit and that the appeal should be dismissed. Cherry Community Org. v. City of Charlotte, 2018 WL 708654 (N.C. App. 2018).
Obtained summary judgment on all federal constitutional and state tort claims asserted against a municipality and police chief in a case involving an alleged unlawful search and seizure during an encounter with plaintiffs. Barideaux v. City of Charlotte, 2017 WL 2177977 (W.D.N.C., May 17, 2017).
Obtained summary judgment in favor of a municipality on all claims brought by a former employee, including gender discrimination under Title VII, age discrimination under the ADEA, retaliation under both Title VII and the ADEA, and § 1983 violation of 14th Amendment rights. Evans v. City of Charlotte, 2016 WL 2637800 (W.D.N.C., May 9, 2016).
Obtained summary judgment in favor of a municipality on all claims brought in a wrongful death action alleging that the police department’s policies and procedures were constitutionally inadequate as it related to use of force and, specifically, electronic control devices. Estate of Williams v. Forbes, 3:12-CV-838-MOC-DSC (W.D.N.C., July 18, 2014).
Obtained judgment on behalf of a detective in an alleged wrongful conviction action claiming that the detective participated in a conspiracy to violate the plaintiff’s constitutional rights. Successfully argued in the Fourth Circuit Court of Appeals that the resulting appeal taken by the plaintiff should be dismissed. Massey v. Ojaniit, 759 F.3d 343 (4th Cir. 2014).
Obtained complete defense verdict on behalf of a police officer accused of using excessive force on the plaintiff in the course of an investigation into child abuse, summary judgment in favor of the supervising sergeant accused of condoning and failing to supervise the officer, and a pre-discovery dismissal in favor of the municipality alleged of failing to train the officer. LaMarre v. Turner, 12-CVS-19744 (Meck. Co. 2014).
Obtained summary judgment on behalf of a police officer and a municipality in an action alleging that the officer used excessive force securing the perimeter in a drug raid. Gillis v. City of Charlotte, 2014 WL 1333988 (W.D.N.C., April 2, 2014).

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Honors & Awards

North Carolina Super Lawyers Rising Star, 2019
Mecklenburg County Bar Leadership Institute, Class of 2015

Memberships

North Carolina Association of Defense Attorneys, Government Practice Group, Vice Chair, 2019-2020
Mecklenburg County Bar, Litigation Section, Chair, 2014-2015, Vice-Chair, 2013-2014
North Carolina Bar Association
American Bar Association
Defense Research Institute

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