Russell W. Dement III

Russell W. “Rusty” DeMent III is an experienced Raleigh criminal trial lawyer. He is dedicated to defending clients facing felony and misdemeanor charges in North Carolina’ at the state and federal levels. Rusty began his career in the Wake County Prosecutor’s office. There he honed the skill and experience necessary to defend citizens accused of serious crimes like murder, assault, property crime, and drug-related charges. His reputation for success in defending charges of DWI and related traffic crime has been earned through decades of experience in this fast-paced environment. Confident and poised, Rusty has a commanding courtroom presence and resourcefully adapts to variables on the fly. He possesses negotiation tactics necessary to secure the best possible outcomes for those criminally accused. He is recognized as an AV Preeminent Peer Rated Lawyer by Martindale Hubbell. Rusty is listed in Best Lawyers in America Criminal Defense Practice Section and in the DUI/DWI Defense Section where he was named Lawyer of the Year in 2021. He has been included year after year in Business North Carolina’s Legal Elite and was listed in North Carolina Super Lawyers in 2020. Rusty is ethical, straightforward and aggressive in his defense and advocacy of his clients. He says, “I tell it like it is. I won’t hide the ball. If it’s bad, I’ll tell you. If there are some shots, we’ll take them. Everyone goes in with their eyes wide open.” Awards and Honors Super Lawyers® Selectees Russell W. Dement III included in a Super Lawyers® list Honors Martindale Hubbell AV Preemient Peer Rated Lawyer Best Lawyers in America General Criminal Defense Section, since 2017 Best Lawyers in America General DWI/DUI Defense Section since 2020 North Carolina Super Lawyers , 2020 - Present Business North Carolina Legal Elite Criminal Defense Section, 2019 - Present Business North Carolina Legal Elite Criminal Defense Section, 2017 - Present Business North Carolina Legal Elite Criminal Defense Section, 2016 - Present Business North Carolina Legal Elite Criminal Defense Section, 2015 - Present Business North Carolina Legal Elite Criminal Defense Section, 2014 - Present Business North Carolina Legal Elite Criminal Defense Section, 2012 - Present Business North Carolina Legal Elite Criminal Defense Section, 2011 - Present Business North Carolina Legal Elite Criminal Defense Section, 2009 - Present Best Lawyers in America, Lawyer of the Year, DUI/DWI Defense, 2020 Other Sources of Feedback About Russell W. Dement III Included on the 2026North Carolina Super Lawyers list Past Lists 2025 North Carolina Super Lawyers list 2024 North Carolina Super Lawyers list 2023 North Carolina Super Lawyers list 2022 North Carolina Super Lawyers list 2021 North Carolina Super Lawyers list 2020 North Carolina Super Lawyers list

• Managing Partner

• Wake County District Attorney's Office, Assistant DA, 1997 - 2000
• DeMent Askew LLP, Partner, 2000 - 2018
• Languages
• English

• North Carolina, 1997
• U.S. District Court Eastern District of North Carolina

• North Carolina Advocates for Justice (Member)
• National College of DUI Defense, Inc. (Member)
• National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers (Member)
• Wake County Bar Association (Member)
• North Carolina Bar Association (Member)
• DUI Defense Lawyers Association (Member)
• America Association of Premier DUI Attorneys (Member)
• National Trial Lawyers Top 100, 2014 - Present
• The Litigation Counsel of America - Order of the Centurions, 2022 - Present (Member)
• Trial Law Institute (Member)
• Diversity Law Institute (Member)