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Nathaniel Coates Smith

Nathaniel Coates Smith

Smith & Partners

About Nathaniel Coates Smith

Nathaniel Coates Smith, a prominent attorney in Chapel Hill, North Carolina, spearheads the firm's civil litigation practice. His expertise encompasses serious personal injury, workers’ compensation, business litigation, and trust and estate litigation. Additionally, he manages civil appeals, providing comprehensive legal support to the firm's clients.

Originally from Raleigh, Mr. Smith graduated from Broughton High School in 1979. He earned a Bachelor of Arts in Economics from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill in 1983 and graduated with honors from the UNC School of Law in 1993. During law school, he gained valuable experience clerking at Hornthal, Riley, Ellis & Maland in Elizabeth City, NC, and with the U.S. Postal Service's labor law department in Washington, D.C.

Admitted to practice in North Carolina since 1993, Mr. Smith is qualified to appear in the state's Federal courts, including the Middle District (1994), Eastern District (1996), and the Eastern and Middle District Bankruptcy courts. With over 20 years of court experience across North Carolina, he is a respected shareholder at the firm.

Mr. Smith has achieved favorable outcomes in the North Carolina Court of Appeals on diverse legal matters, such as real estate contract interpretation (Harris v. Stewart, 666 S.E.2d 804), appellate review of county government actions (Murdock v. Chatham County, 679 S.E.2d 850 (2009)), and negligent transmission of a disease (Carsanaro v. Colvin, 716 S.E.2d 40 (2011)).

An active member of the North Carolina Bar Association and the North Carolina Advocates for Justice, Mr. Smith served as President of the 15-B Judicial District (Orange and Chatham Counties) in 2004-05. He volunteers as a pro bono attorney for the NC Bar Association’s “Lawyers on the Line” program and has acted as an arbitrator in Orange County District Court.

The information on this page is for general informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Consult a licensed attorney for advice about your situation.

Practice Areas

Car Accidents
Personal Injury

North Carolina Car Accident Laws

Understanding North Carolina's accident laws is critical when pursuing a claim. Here are the key legal rules that apply to your case:

Statute of Limitations

3 years

Time limit to file a claim

Negligence Rule

contributory negligence

How fault is determined

Min. Insurance (BI/PD)

$30K/$60K/$25K

Per person/per accident/property

Insurance System

At-Fault

At-fault driver's insurance pays

Frequently Asked Questions

What practice areas does Nathaniel Coates Smith specialize in?

Nathaniel Coates Smith specializes in serious personal injury, workers’ compensation, business litigation, and trust and estate litigation.

Where is Nathaniel Coates Smith licensed to practice?

He is licensed to practice in North Carolina State courts, as well as Federal courts in the Middle and Eastern Districts, including Bankruptcy courts.

What notable cases has Nathaniel Coates Smith handled?

He has handled cases involving real estate contract interpretation, appellate reviews of county government actions, and negligent transmission of a disease.

What professional organizations is Nathaniel Coates Smith a member of?

He is a member of the North Carolina Bar Association and the North Carolina Advocates for Justice.

Has Nathaniel Coates Smith held any leadership roles?

Yes, he served as President of the 15-B Judicial District (Orange and Chatham Counties) in 2004-05.

Contact Information

111 Cloister Ct Chapel Hill NC 27514
Chapel Hill, NC
9194010062 Visit Website

Need Legal Help?

Contact Nathaniel Coates Smith for a free consultation about your accident case.

Call for Free Consultation

After an Accident

  1. 1Seek immediate medical attention
  2. 2Document the scene & gather evidence
  3. 3File a police report
  4. 4Don't speak to insurance adjusters alone
  5. 5Contact Nathaniel for a free case review

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