About Derrick
Derrick Bailey is a attorney based in Asheville, North Carolina, with over 37 years of experience in civil litigation and federal criminal defense. He has been a member of the North Carolina State Bar since 1988 and is admitted to practice in the United States District Courts for the Western, Middle. Eastern Districts of North Carolina, as well as the Fourth Circuit Court of Appeals. His law firm, Bailey & Ciochina, LLP, is located at 32 Orange Street in Asheville. Bailey earned his Juris Doctor from the University of North Carolina School of Law in 1987.
Prior to law school, he completed his undergraduate studies at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, graduating with a Bachelor of Arts in History in 1984. During law school, he served as a clerk for the North Carolina Court of Appeals, gaining experience in appellate practice. Throughout his career, Bailey has handled a diverse range of cases, including complex civil disputes and federal criminal defense matters. He has represented clients in various stages of litigation, from pre-trial motions to appeals before higher courts. His experience gave him a understanding of both state and federal legal systems.
In addition to his private practice, Bailey has been involved in significant appellate work. Notably, in August 2022, he argued a case before the North Carolina Supreme Court, Providence Volunteer Fire Department v. the Town of Weddington, et al., which addressed issues of legislative immunity for elected officials in North Carolina municipalities. The court issued a unanimous ruling in favor of his client. Bailey is an active member of the Buncombe County Bar Association, where he serves on the Civil Litigation Section.
He is also a member of the North Carolina Association of Defense Attorneys and the Federal Bar Association. He has been recognized for his pro bono work, receiving the North Carolina Pro Bono Honor Society Award in 2015. Outside of his legal practice, Bailey is committed to community service. He volunteers as a coach for the Asheville Youth Soccer Association and serves on the board of directors for the Asheville Area Habitat for Humanity. He is also an avid hiker and enjoys exploring the trails of the Blue Ridge Mountains with his family.