Next Level Representation.
Old-Fashioned Justice.
Sean
Cole
Practice Areas
- Drunk Driving Injuries
- Catastrophic Injuries
- Trucking Collisions
- Brain Injuries
- Texting & Driving Injuries
- Motorcycle Wrecks
- Car Accidents
- Bicycle Injuries
- Dog Bites
- Workplace Harassment
- Wrongful Death
- Civil Settlements
- Business Litigation
Biography
Originally from the mountains of Virginia, Sean devoted his practice to helping injured people for over 25 years. A graduate of King University in Bristol, TN, and the Wake Forest University School of Law in Winston-Salem, NC, he’s always been someone who fought for people who needed his help.
Sean is a sought-after lecturer on personal injury law and trial tactics. He has taught over 50 continuing education classes throughout North Carolina. He also served as the Editor-in-Chief for five editions of the North Carolina Manual of Complaints for over 10 years and served as the Chapter Author for the chapter about lawsuits involving automobile wrecks.
Awards, Honors, and Professional Memberships
The nation’s top attorney-ranking system, Martindale-Hubbell, has Sean as “AV Preeminent”, its highest rating, since 2008. That rating system uses input from judges and other attorneys to determine the legal ability and ethical standards of attorneys. Additionally, Sean was selected as a North Carolina Super Lawyer from 2013 - 2022, is a Lifetime Member of the Million Dollar and Multi-Million Dollar Advocates Forums and is a Lifetime Charter Member of Rue Ratings’ Best Attorneys of America.
Giving Back
As an Eagle Scout and lifetime member of the National Eagle Scout Association, Sean believes strongly in giving back to his community. For years, he has written and performed in the Wake County Bar Awards, an annual musical comedy review which raises money for Legal Aid. Sean has received the Wake County Bar Association’s President’s Award twice for his work with the Bar Awards.
Sean has also been named to the North Carolina Pro Bono Honor Society in 2017 and 2018 for his volunteer legal work.
Sean and his family attend Hudson Memorial Presbyterian Church in Raleigh, where he signs in the choir. He also sings and plays several instruments in a worship group called “The Dubious Brothers.” He and his family are active in many parts of the life of their church.
Sean is a Sustainer of WUNC Public Radio and supports UNC-TV public television. His family also supports the Wake County Animal Shelter and Wake SPCA. Sean and his family are also fans and supporters of our state and national parks.
Education
- Wake Forest University School of Law, Winston Salem, North Carolina
- J.D. - 1997
- Honors: Order of the Barristers
- Honors: Moot Court Board Award for Outstanding Contributions, 1997
- Honors: National Moot Court Team Regional Champions, 1996
- Honors: National Moot Court Team, National Quarterfinalists, 1997
- Honors: Pace Environmental Law Moot Court Team
- Honors: ATLA Award for Best Performance in Trial Practice, 1996
- Honors: Winnner, First Year Trial Bar and Moot Court Competitions
- Honors: Who's Who Among American Law Students
- Honors: Judge Joseph Branch Inn of Court
- Honors: Student Bar Association
- King College, Bristol, Tennessee
- B.A. - 1994
- Honors: cum laude
- Honors: Honors in Independent Study in History
- Honors: King Scholar
- Honors: Faculty Selected Convocation Speaker, 1993
- Honors: Who's Who Among American College and University Students
- Honors: Student Government Association
- Major: History
- Minor: Biology
- Minor: Political Science
- Minor: Chemistry
Bar Admissions
- North Carolina, 1997
- U.S. District Court Eastern District of North Carolina, 1997
- U.S. District Court Middle District of North Carolina, 2000
- U.S. District Court Western District of North Carolina, 2000
Professional Associations
- North Carolina Academy of Trial Lawyers, Board of Directors, Young Lawyers Division, 2000 to 2002
- North Carolina Academy of Trial Lawyers, Member, Auto Torts Division
- Association of Trial Lawyers of America, Member, 2000 to 2002
- American Bar Association, Litigation Section, Tort & Insurance Practice Section, Member
- North Carolina Bar Association, Litigation Section, Member
- North Carolina Advocates for Justice
- Wake County Bar Association
- Southern Trial Lawyers’ Association
Published Works
- Author, “Automobile Torts”. North Carolina Manual of Complaints, Fourth Edition, Sean A.B. Cole. North Carolina Advocates for Justice, LexisNexis, 2011. Print. ISBN: 9781422497234
- Editor-in-Chief, North Carolina Manual of Complaints, Third Edition. North Carolina Advocates for Justice, LexisNexis, 2009. Print. ISBN: 9781422460733
- Editor-in-Chief, North Carolina Manual of Complaints, Second Edition. North Carolina Advocates for Justice, LexisNexis, 2006. Print. ISBN: 9781422436158
- Raleigh Personal Injury Lawyers
- Raleigh Social Security Disability Lawyers
- Editor-in-Chief, North Carolina Manual of Complaints, Fourth Edition. North Carolina Advocates for Justice, LexisNexis, 2011. Print. ISBN: 9781422497234
Representative Cases
- Thorpe v. Perry-Riddick, 551 S.E. 2d 852, 2001, N.C. App., 2001555284
- Privette v. Yarborough, 603 S.E. 2d 579, 2004, N.C. App.
- Barnes v. Wells, 599 S.E. 2d 585, 2004, N.C. App.
Honors
- Lewis F. Powell, Jr. Medal, American College of Trial Lawyers Medal for Excellence in Advocay, National Moot Court Competition, 1996 - 1997
- Pro Bono Community Service Award, Project Together, 1997 - 1998
- Multi-Million Dollar Advocates Forum, Lifetime Member
- “AV Preeminent” rated, Martindale-Hubbell
- "Rising Star" in Plaintiff's Personal Injury Practice, 2009 - 2010
- Super Lawyers: In Plaintiff's Personal Injury Practice, 2011 - 2014
- Ebbie Award for Outstanding Contributions, 2008
- Million Dollar Advocates Form, Lifetime Member
- Rue Ratings’ Best Attorneys of America, Lifetime Charter Member
- Eagle Scout
- National Eagle Scout Association, Lifetime Member
- President’s Award, Wake County Bar Association
- Named to the North Carolina Pro Bono Honor Society in 2017 and 2018
Classes & Seminars
- How to Try a Civil Case, North Carolina Academy of Trial Lawyers, 2001
- North Carolina Auto Torts Update, North Carolina Academy of Trial Lawyers, 2001 - 2002
- Speaker, Practical Skills Course, North Carolina Bar Foundation
Pro-Bono Activities
- Interact/Project Together, 1997 - 1999
- Wake County Animal Shelter
- Wake SPCA
Past Positions
- Patterson, Dilthey, Clay & Bryson, LLP, Associate, 1997 to 2000
Current Employement Positions
- Attorney/Owner