RUSSELL W. DeMENT III
RALEIGH CRIMINAL DEFENSE LAWYER
Russell W. “Rusty” DeMent III is a Raleigh criminal trial lawyer with decades of experience. He defends clients facing felony and misdemeanor charges in North Carolina’ at both the state and federal level.
Rusty is the senior managing partner of the law firm his father established when Rusty was just a toddler. He began preparation for his criminal defense career as an Assistant District Attorney, where he attained the insight, trial, and jury experience necessary to defend citizens accused of serious crimes like murder, assault, property crime, and drug-related charges against the tactics he was taught on the other side of the isle.
His reputation for success in defending charges of DWI has been earned through decades of experience in this fast-paced environment. Rusty has a commanding and resourceful courtroom presence and possesses the tactical skills necessary to secure the best possible outcomes for the citizens he defends.
Rusty's legal skill is widely recognized by his peers through professional review. He is selected to Best Lawyers in America's Criminal Defense Practice Section since 2019, its DUI/DWI Defense Section since 2020, and was named its Raleigh DUI Lawyer of the Year in 2021. Rusty is included year after year in Business North Carolina’s Legal Elite through direct peer vote and is an AV Preeminent Peer Rated Lawyer by Martindale Hubbell. He has been included at North Carolina Super Lawyers as a top-rated criminal defense attorney since 2020, and enjoys fellowship at the National College of DUI Defense and the Litigation Counsel of America.
HONORS & AWARDS
Lawyer of the Year, Best Lawyers
Best Lawyers in America
Buiness NC Legal Elite
NC Super Lswyers
Litigation Counsel of America
National College of DUI Attorneys
Martindale Hubbell AV Preeminent Lawyer
Avvo Superb Rating
CONNECT WITH RUSTY DeMENT
(919) 833-5555
RALEIGH OFFICE:
333 Fayetteville Street, #1513
Raleigh, NC 27601-2950
919-833-5555
MOREHEAD CITY OFFICE:
810 Arendell Street
Morehead City, NC 28557
252-251-5555
AVAILABLE AT 9AM TO 6PM
Education:
- Wake Forest University
- B.A. in History, cum laude, 1994
- J.D., 1997
Admissions & Memberships:
- North Carolina State Bar 1997
- U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of North Carolina
- North Carolina Advocates for Justice
- National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers
- Wake County Bar Association
- North Carolina Bar Association
- DUI Defense Lawyers Association
- American Association of Premier DUI Attorneys
- National Trial Lawyer; Top 100 since 2014
- Trial Law Institute, Member
- Diversity Law Institute, Member
Professional Recognition:
- North Carolina Super Lawyers, since 2020
- Business North Carolina Magazine Legal Elite, 2009, 2011-12, 2014-17, 2019, 2021, 2023, 2024
- Martindale Hubbell AV Preeminent Peer Rated Lawyer
- Best Lawyers in America, since 2017
- Criminal Defense General Practice Section, since 2017
- DUI/DWI Defense Section, since 2020
- Raleigh DUI/DWI Lawyer of the Year, 2021
- Best Law Firms Criminal Defense: General Practice, Metro Tier 2, since 2018
Lectures & Presentations:
- Campbell Law School, Motor Verhicle and Chapter 20 Law Class Guest Lecturer, since 2017
Fellowships:
- National College of DUI Defense, Fellow
- Litigation Counsel of America, Fellow
- Barrister, Order of the Centurions
Community Engagement:
- CASA, Veteran and Disabled Homelessness
- Ducks Unlimited, Gold Sponsor and Volunteer
Employment Experience:
- Wake County Assistant District Attorney 1997-2000
- Dement Askew, since 2000
- DeMent Askew Johnson & Marshall, since 2024