Practice Areas
Bar Admissions
North Carolina
Education
University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, J.D., with honors, 1979; Editor-in-Chief, North Carolina Law Review, 1978-79
University of Oxford (Brasenose College), Diploma in Law, 1988
Davidson College, A.B., 1975
Profile
Dickson Phillips has helped clients with their legal problems for more than 35 years as trusted counselor and adviser, and as advocate in negotiation and in court. He brings to each engagement broad knowledge of the law, insight that comes only with experience, and unyielding commitment to efficient and favorable outcomes for his clients.
Dickson regularly advises businesses and individuals in a broad spectrum of legal concerns, including contract drafting and enforcement, trademark and copyright protection, privacy and cybersecurity, real estate, and public records and open meetings matters. As a litigator, he has handled a varied mix of business and commercial matters in state and federal courts and administrative agencies, including contract breach, trade secret misappropriation and unfair competition, copyright, trademark, internet domain name, land use, corporate governance, public records and governmental affairs matters.
In 1992, Dickson became one of the first lawyers in North Carolina to be certified as a mediator, and he has taught mediation and negotiation at UNC School of Law and the Duke Private Adjudication Center.
Honors & Awards
- The Best Lawyers in America, commercial litigation, 2019-25
- North Carolina Pro Bono Honor Society, 2022
- North Carolina Super Lawyers, business litigation, 2006, 2012-13, 2015-19
- Martindale-Hubbell, AV® Preeminent™ Peer Review Rated
Experience
Experience
Trade Secret and Intellectual Property Litigation
Obtained dismissal on personal jurisdiction grounds of case filed in federal district court alleging trademark infringement and unfair trade practices.
Represented company and new employee against effort to enjoin employment on grounds of alleged trade secret misappropriation, obtaining favorable judicial rulings requiring plaintiff to specify trade secrets before seeking detailed discovery of competitor's business, resulting in favorable settlement and dismissal of the claim.
Represented transportation logistics software provider in obtaining injunction against former customer's violation of trade secret nondisclosure agreement and non-circumvention agreement.
Represented professional practice in obtaining injunction against competing practice's use of infringing trademark in website metatags.
Represented owner of trademark in federal lawsuit alleging trademark infringement in online advertising, resulting in favorable consent agreement.
Represented online marketing company against claim that founders misappropriated trade secrets central to company's business model and success (Winklevoss-type claim), resulting in favorable settlement and dismissal of the claim.
Represented client in suit against insurance company for refusal to provide client's defense in a suit for trademark infringement, resulting in summary judgment and payment of client's damages in their entirety.
Commercial Litigation
Represented credit union in obtaining summary judgment dismissing a long-running case alleging misapplication of customer account, and was affirmed on appeal; appellate ruling clarifies application of certain statutes for banks and other financial institutions throughout state. Nelson v. SECU, 775 S.E.2d 334, rev. den., 778 S.E.2d 94 (2015).
Represented group of landowners in obtaining summary judgment, which was affirmed on appeal, invalidating rezoning and grant of conditional use permit on grounds the county violated mandatory statutory processes. Murdock v. Chatham County, 679 S.E.2d 850 (2009), rev. den., 690 S.E.2d 2010 (2010).
Represented real estate development partnership in obtaining dismissal with prejudice of claims for fraud and unfair trade practices in connection with troubled real estate development.
Represented startup company in obtaining favorable settlement of claim that institution reneged on agreement to purchase services from client, leading to client's failure.
Represented buyer in obtaining favorable settlement of claim that complex textile manufacturing machines were incomplete upon delivery to People's Republic of China.
Government Affairs Litigation
Represented governor of North Carolina in suit challenging the constitutionality of constitutional amendment ballot questions.
Represented North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services in suit enjoining changes to Medicaid program.
Represented North Carolina executive agencies in public records litigation presenting issues of first impression.
Cybersecurity and Privacy Matters
Advises commercial and educational institution clients on responses to cybersecurity breach and ransomware incidents since 2006.
News & Events
News
- Aug. 15, 2024
- Aug. 17, 2023
- June 7, 2023
- Dec. 10, 2022
- Aug. 23, 2022
- Aug. 26, 2021
- Aug. 20, 2020
- Aug. 15, 2019
- Jan. 28, 2019
- Aug. 23, 2018
- Aug. 15, 2018
- Jan. 30, 2018
- Jan. 30, 2018
- Sept. 22, 2017
- Jan. 26, 2017
Insights
- April 28, 2021Robinson Bradshaw Publication
- Jan. 20, 2021Robinson Bradshaw Publication
- Oct. 22, 2020Robinson Bradshaw Publication
- Aug. 5, 2020Robinson Bradshaw Publication
- April 28, 2020Robinson Bradshaw Publication
- Jan. 21, 2020Robinson Bradshaw Publication
- Dec. 13, 2019Triangle Business Journal
- June 23, 2017Robinson Bradshaw Publication
- May 15, 2015Robinson Bradshaw Publication
- March 8, 2013Sports Litigation Alert
Affiliations
Professional Affiliations
- North Carolina State Bar, CLE Board, 2015-20
- North Carolina Environmental Management Commission, 2005-13
- North Carolina Department of Public Instruction, Hearing Officer, 1998-present
- North Carolina Superior Court, Certified Mediator, 1992-present
- American Bar Association
- University of North Carolina School of Law, Adjunct Faculty, 1996-2003
- Duke Private Adjudication Center, Mediator and Private Judge, 1994-2002