Kelly Margolis Dagger Selected for Federal Bar Association’s Judge David Daniel Award
Ellis & Winters congratulates partner Kelly Margolis Dagger who was named recipient of the Judge David Daniel Award for Excellence in the Legal Community. The recognition from the Federal Bar Association’s Eastern District of North Carolina (EDNC) chapter honors one attorney who has shown a commitment to the legal profession, to the EDNC, to the clients they serve, and to their community. To qualify, the nominee must practice in the EDNC and must exemplify the ideals of the legal profession and further the goals of equal justice under the law.
The award was created in 2017 in memory of United States Magistrate Judge Daniel of the EDNC. The award honors his integrity, commitment, and service to the legal community.
“We are very proud of Kelly for receiving this award in honor of Judge Daniel and the characteristics he embodied throughout his career,” said Alex J. Hagan, Ellis & Winters managing partner and chief executive officer. “Kelly is a disciplined and tireless advocate for her clients and exemplifies the passionate pursuit of equal justice under the law.”
Kelly is a former president of the Federal Bar Association, EDNC Chapter. She serves as the Criminal Justice Act panel representative for the EDNC, leading the group of private lawyers who accept appointments to represent indigent clients in federal felony criminal cases. In addition to her commercial litigation practice, she accepts appointments in federal criminal cases from the EDNC and the United States Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit. Kelly also serves on the Criminal Justice Act Panel Committee and the Local Criminal Rules Committee for the EDNC. She participates in the court’s HOPE re-entry program for formerly incarcerated individuals struggling with addiction.
Outside her criminal defense work, Kelly is a trial and appellate lawyer focusing on complex commercial and employment litigation, with particular interests in intellectual property and departing-employee litigation. She is an experienced trial lawyer, having tried numerous civil and criminal cases, mostly in federal court. She also regularly appears in federal district court and the North Carolina Business Court on a wide range of pre- and post-trial matters. She has argued a variety of civil and criminal cases in the Fourth Circuit.
