Home/Don Marcari

DONALD MARCARI

SENIOR MANAGING PARTNER

Donald Marcari began his legal career as a U.S. Navy Judge Advocate General trial team attorney. As a young JAG attorney he represented a U.S. Marine stationed at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, which became the basis for the movie “A Few Good Men.” The story exemplifies the lengths to which Don will go to protect his clients’ rights and obtain the justice they deserve.

Don is a long-time fighter for injured veterans and their families, helping to ensure they receive the benefits they have a legal right to. Additionally, he continues to defend select members of our military service in courts-martial and administrative proceedings.

Don has been fighting for seriously injured people throughout North Carolina since 1985, and Virginia since 1988, concentrating on plaintiff personal injury law and civil litigation. Don is a highly recognized attorney who has tried more than 200 jury trials. He represented clients whose cases became the foundation for the movie “The Paula Coughlin Story” and the book “The Story of the U.S. Navy’s Tailhook Scandal.”

ADMITTED TO PRACTICE

North Carolina, 1985
Virginia, 1988
U.S. Court of Appeals for the Armed Forces, 1986
U.S. Supreme Court, 1988
Supreme Court of Virginia, 1988
U.S. Court of Appeals, for the Fourth Circuit, 1988
U.S. Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims (CAVC), 2012

Admitted pro hac vice in several states and federal courts throughout the United States

EDUCATION

Campbell University School of Law, 1985. Juris Doctor
Appalachian State University, 1980. Master of Arts, Public Administration
Appalachian State University, 1979. Bachelor of Science, Political Science and Minor in Business Administration

HONORS & AWARDS

Best Attorneys of America
Virginia Super Lawyer
North Carolina Lawyers Weekly Leader in Law
North Carolina Advocates for Justice (NCAJ), Order of Service Award
Top 100 Trial Lawyers in Virginia by the National Trial Lawyers Association (NTLA)
Top 100 Litigation Lawyer in Virginia and North Carolina by the American Society of Legal Advocates (ASLA)
AV Preeminent Rating by Martindale-Hubbell Peer Review
Virginia and North Carolina’s Top Rated AV Preeminent Rating Attorney by Martindale-Hubbell
Bar Register of Preeminent Lawyers by Martindale-Hubbell
Client Distinction Award from Martindale-Hubbell
Navy Achievement Award, U.S. Navy Judge Advocate General’s Corp

PROFESSIONAL MEMBERSHIPS

North Carolina State Bar Association
Virginia State Bar Association
Virginia Beach Bar Association: General District Court Liaison Committee
Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims Bar Association
North Carolina Advocates for Justice (NCAJ): Education Committee
Virginia Trial Lawyers Association (VTLA): 1st District Board of Governors 201-2015, Chairman; Committee on Professionalism and Ethics, Governmental Key Contacts Committee and Vice Chairman of the Litigation Support Committee
Brain Injury Association of Virginia
Brain Injury Association of North Carolina
Fellowship of the Litigation Counsel of America (LCA)
Million Dollar Advocates Forum and Multi-Million Dollar Advocates Forum
Association of Plaintiff Interstate Trucking Lawyers of America, member National Advisory Board
Campbell Law’s Alumni Association Board of Directors

NOTABLE CASES

Tried cases that became the basis for the movies, “A Few Good Men,” “The Paula Coughlin Story” and book entitled “The Mother of All Hooks-The story of the US Navy’s Tailhook Scandal.” Represented a Capital Murder Client involved in an internet/cell phone scam which received nationwide publicity. Retained as an Expert to testify to the “Standard of Care” in legal malpractice cases and appeared on television shows including Unsolved Mysteries, A Current Affair and The Montel Williams Show.

TEACHING

Regent University School of Law (2014 Fall Semester), Products Liability Adjunct Professor
Georgetown University, Introduction of Law Guest Lecturer
Florence Darlington Community College, Political Science and Local Government Adjunct Professor

COMMUNITY SERVICE

Lynnhaven Middle School Football Coach
Princess Anne High School Moot Court Team Advisor and Coach
Great Neck Athletic Association (GNNA): Board of Directors Vice President, Football Commissioner, Girls Basketball Commissioner and Football, Basketball, Baseball and Soccer Coach
Carolina Academy High School Football Coach
Volunteer Hampton Roads Co-Chairman
Artistic American Veterans Board of Directors
Carolina Environmental Development Construction Education Foundation Board of Directors
Lake City’s News & Post Editorialist

In addition to his many professional obligations, Don still manages to make time to give back to the community. Don directs the mock trial teams and serves as a judge for senior projects for two Virginia Beach high schools. Both schools have honored him with the Virginia Beach Partnership in Education Award. In 2009, Don was presented with the Volunteer of the Year award at Princess Anne High School for his commitment and dedication to the students. He also spent time educating students on basic legal principles through The Road to Virginia Justice program and through an initiative to End Distracted Driving.