Deborah J. Bowers

Deb Bowers received her B.A. degree from the University of Texas and her J.D. degree, cum laude, from the University of Houston, Bates College of Law in 1980. After graduating from law school, Deb moved to New Jersey where she engaged in a civil litigation practice for several years, specializing in fidelity and surety work, construction defects litigation, commercial litigation, products liablity, and personal injury defense. 

Since moving to North Carolina in 1997, Deb has focused her practice primarily on insurance coverage disputes and construction defect litigation, but she handles all types of litigated matters from personal injury to products liability. Deb also regularly defends municipalities, as well as private entities, in land use disputes and employment matters. She has tried cases to jury verdict on many occasions.   

Since 2009, Deb has been a certified North Carolina Superior Court mediator. She also is now an arbitrator, and is listed on the American Arbitration Association panel of arbitrators.

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Articles

Bar Admissions

  • North Carolina
  • U.S. Supreme Court
  • U.S. District Court, Eastern District of North Carolina
  • U.S. District Court, Middle District of North Carolina
  • U.S. District Court, Western District of North Carolina
  • New Jersey (inactive)
  • Texas (inactive)

Education

  • Bates College of Law, University of Houston, Houston, Texas, 1980 – J.D. (Cum Laude)
    • The Advocates, 1979–1980
    • Order of the Barons, 1979–1980
    • International Law Journal, Editor, 1978–1979
  • University of Texas, Austin, Texas, 1974 – B.A.

Sample Cases

  • Plum Props., LLC v. N.C. Farm Bureau Mut. Ins. Co., 802 S.E.2d 173 (N.C. App. 2017)
  • ExperienceOne Homes, LLC v. Town of Morrisville, 2012 N.C. App. LEXIS 774, 221 N.C. App. 433, 727 S.E.2d 26, disc. rev. denied 366 N.C. 247, 731 S.E.2d 149 (2012)
  • Lamb v. D.S. Duggins Welding, Inc., 222 N.C. App. 52, 729 S.E.2d 724 (2012)
  • Robinson v. Forest Creek Ltd. Partnership, 213 N.C. App. 593, 712 S.E.2d 895 (2011)
  • General Casualty Co. of Wisconsin v. Image Builders, Inc., No. 1:09CV159, 2010 Dist. LEXIS 115631, 2010 WL 4449084 (W.D.N.C. Oct. 29, 2010)
  • Auto Owners, Inc. v. Northwestern Housing Enterprises, Inc., No. 5:06CV88, 2008 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 29747, 2008 WL 901176 (W.D.N.C. Mar. 31, 2008)
  • Harleysville Mutual Insurance Co. v. Berkley Insurance Co. of the Carolinas, 169 N.C. App. 556, 610 S.E.2d 215 (2005)
  • Home Savings Bank, SSB of Eden v. Colonial American Casualty & Surety Co., 165 N.C. App. 189, 598 S.E.2d 265 (2004)
  • Carlson v. Old Republic Ins. Co., 160 N.C. App. 399, 585 S.E.2d 497 (2003)

Memberships

  • North Carolina Bar Association
  • Insurance Law Section Chair, 2018-2019
  • Insurance Law Section Vice Chair, 2017-2018
  • Insurance Law Council Member, 2015-2017
  • Greensboro Bar Association
  • Guilford Inn of Court, Master
  • North Carolina Bar Association
    • Insurance Law Section - Council member: 2015-2017; section vice chair: 2017-2018, section chair: 2018-2019 
  • North Carolina State Bar
  • Texas State Bar
  • North Carolina Association of Defense Attorneys (NCADA)
    • Chair, Construction Law Practice Group, 2008-2009
    • Board of Directors, 2013-2016

Miscellaneous

  • Listed on the American Arbitration Association panel of arbitrators
  • North Carolina Super Lawyer® in Insurance Coverage, 2017 - 2023
  • Assistant Editor, New Appleman North Carolina Insurance Litigation (a LexisNexis Practice Guide) (2023 Edition)
  • Author, “General Principles of Construction for Insurance Policies,” Chapter 1 of New Appleman North Carolina Insurance Litigation (a LexisNexis Practice Guide) (2023 Edition)
  • Author, “Commercial General Liability Insurance,” Chapter 4 of New Appleman North Carolina Insurance Litigation (a LexisNexis Practice Guide) (2023 Edition)
  • Author, “Duty to Defend,” Chapter 15 of New Appleman North Carolina Insurance Litigation (a LexisNexis Practice Guide) (2023 Edition)