Trial Briefs - Trial Briefs Winter 2020
NCAJ Hero David Daggett
2020-01-30 11:16:12
Daggett Shuler Attorneys At Law Winston-Salem
NCAJ member for 34 years
It’s impossible to pick just one title for David Daggett. Lawyer. Athlete. Community leader. All fit perfectly. And he embraces each role with such enthusiasm and dedication that to put one first seems unfair.
As a triathlete, he has compiled an impressive set of statistics: 195 triathlons completed, including 29 Ironman competitions. He has finished the Hawaii Ironman World Triathlon Championship eight times and last year qualified for a ninth trip to the elite, rigorous race.
As a community leader, he founded Safe Sober Prom Night Inc., which encourages safety and awareness among North Carolina teens. The program has earned the North Carolina Governor’s Highway Safety Award for Public Service, and Daggett has been honored with the National Trial Lawyers Care Award from the American Association for Justice and the American Bar Association Award for Dignity in Lawyer Advertising. In 2009, he received the Ford Ironman Everyday Hero Award, which included being featured in a short biopic piece on ESPN.
As the managing partner at Daggett Shuler Attorneys, he has practiced as a personal injury attorney for more than 34 years.
Daggett graduated from Indiana State University with a B.A. in Economics and earned his law degree at Wake Forest University Law School. He has three children: Annecy, a junior at William & Mary University; Emmaline, a freshman at Swarthmore College; and Riley, a junior at Richard J. Reynolds High School. Daggett and his wife, Cynthia, live in Winston-Salem.
Why did you decide to become a plaintiff’s lawyer?
A passion for care and respect and to help individuals was instilled in me at an early age. This was reinforced by school, church and community involvement and activities. At some point there was a confluence between academics and these instilled values that pointed toward law. Of course, representation of and service to individuals was a natural extension into my professional career.
Is there a case that stands out as particularly memorable, one that made you feel proud to practice law?
War stories are a bit endemic for lawyers, and boring to others … and I have many of them. However, truly the most memorable are the almost daily thank yous and hugs from good, decent people who we were able to help … that is the best story of them all.
Was there someone in your life who inspired you to pursue a career in the law?
It was a group effort! Lots of coaches, teachers, family, friends’ parents, folks at church and in the community encouraged me and supported me to pursue my education and then go on to law school. It took a village, and I am grateful for the leadership and direction I received.
What career accomplishments are you most proud of?
Perhaps my greatest accomplishment is the integration of law, family, faith, and fitness in a very fulfilling life. On a large scale, our Safe Sober Prom Night program has reached more than 600,000 high school students. This resulted in being presented an AAJ Trial Lawyers Care award. On a smaller scale, [I’ve been] coaching high school wrestling and working with the Down’s Syndrome Association, for which I was presented a Governor’s Volunteer Service Award. All of this has gone together to create a law firm that delivers superior performance, makes a distinctive impact and has lasting endurance.
How does it feel to have finished your 195th triathlon?
Thirty-eight consecutive years of competing in triathlons, and I’m just getting started! Racing is simply the reward for a lifestyle of fitness.
How do you keep going — as an athlete and a lawyer?
Get up and get rolling! Just like an Ironman on race day, the key is to keep putting one foot in front of the other and never give up. Consistent execution over time always produces positive results. The key is to muster the motivation to just keep going.
What advice would you give a lawyer who just passed the bar this year?
Dream big. No excuses. And never give up! Pursue passion. Health is your most valuable asset. Make a difference to others and it will make a difference in you. Anything is possible if you establish a worthy goal, are willing to work hard, and never give up!
How does your membership in NCAJ make you a better lawyer or support your practice of the law?
Ironman racing is long, tough, and takes commitment. It also takes encouragement and support to get you to the finish line. Likewise, the NCAJ provides professional encouragement and support — particularly when the road gets long and tough. NCAJ supports our collective commitment to individual rights and justice. For more than 34 years the NCAJ has gotten me to the finish line!
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