Doug Edwards

Doug Edwards

Doug is a North Carolina State Bar Board-Certified Specialist in State Criminal Law with 15 years of experience focused solely on criminal matters. He represents clients across North Carolina in State and Federal Courts. Including serious felony and misdemeanor matters — often involving high-profile, high-level, violent and non-violent felonies, drug offenses, white-collar matters, and sex offenses.

Before entering private practice, Doug served for more than a decade as an Assistant District Attorney, including two years as Chief Assistant District Attorney in Buncombe County, where he supervised and mentored prosecutors, coordinated with law enforcement, and handled high-profile matters from investigation through trial. In his years of practice, he has tried over 150 cases to jury verdict, including trials as a prosecutor and as a defense attorney.

Capital Defense Qualifications

Doug is also one of a select number of attorneys in North Carolina on the North Carolina Capital Defenders Roster, defending those charged with First Degree Murder, where the State has the potential to seek the death penalty. To qualify, he has met rigorous requirements for trial experience, specialized training, and continuing education.

Clerkships, Government Service, & Special Appointments

• Assistant District Attorney, Asheville, Buncombe County
• Chief Assistant District Attorney, Asheville, Buncombe County

Awards & Recognitions

• Best of Asheville, 2022-2025
• Board Certified Specialist – State Criminal Law, NC State Bar
• National Trial Lawyers Top 40 Under 40
• National Trial Lawyers Top 100

Bar Admissions

• North Carolina State Bar
• Western District, North Carolina
• 4th Circuit Court of Appeals
• Tribal Court – Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians

Professional Profiles

• LinkedIn
• Avvo
• USLegal
• Martindale
• NCDD

Education

• North Carolina Central University School of Law, Summa cum laude
• Wingate University, B.S., Sociology

Professional Memberships

• National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers
• North Carolina Advocates for Justice
• Buncombe County Criminal Defense Bar
• National College for DUI Defense
• National Association of Criminal Defense Attorneys
• North Carolina State Bar Association