JD Keister

Raleigh, NC


JD Keister

Raleigh, NC


JD Keister has practiced civil and complex litigation at MGC for over two decades. He routinely engages in the representation of parties in construction, professional liability, bad faith, real estate litigation, catastrophic loss, commercial litigation and first party defense for insurance carriers. JD's expansive construction practice includes the representation of contractors, subcontractors, designers, developers and their insurance companies. His professional liability experience includes the regular representation of architects and engineers, attorneys, real estate brokers and agents, insurance brokers and matters that stem from director and officer liability.

JD serves on MGC’s Management Committee, where he provides insight and leadership on the strategic direction of the firm. He is also known in the insurance industry for his involvement with different litigation management professional associations, including the CLM. JD serves on CLM's Advisory Board, Dean to the School of Litigation Management, a Chancellor and Instructor for the Litigation Management Institute and Co-Chair for the Litigation Management Symposium. He is a former member of the DRI Insurance Roundtable Steering Committee and has held multiple positions with the North Carolina Association of Defense Attorneys, currently serving as President. JD has served on a number of industry panels and internal carrier roundtables, assisting in the design and implementation of systems and processes. He is a regular presenter to national organizations on topics impacting the industry, litigation management and metrics. In 2023, JD was named the CLM Professional of the Year Award winner as Outside Counsel.

JD is married with three children and spends his time traveling with his family, acting as a part-time taxi for his three kids and their activities, cheering on the Ohio State Buckeyes and playing below average golf when time allows.

Practice Areas


Adulterated Food

Alcohol Liability

Bad Faith

Commercial & Business Litigation

Construction Litigation

Director & Officer Liability/Fiduciary

Government/Municipal Liability

Healthcare Liability

Insurance Coverage

Litigation

Management & Professional Liability

Motor Vehicle Litigation

Nursing Home Liability

Premises Liability

Products Liability

Slander & Defamation

Trucking & Transportation

Curriculum Vitae


Education (2)
  • Ohio Northern University Pettit College of Law (JD)
  • Bowling Green State University (BA)
Professional Memberships (7)
  • CLM (Advisory Board; Dean, School of Litigation Management; Chancellor, Litigation Management Institute; Co-Chair, Litigation Management Symposium; Former President, Eastern North Carolina Chapter)
  • DRI (Steering Committee, Insurance Roundtable)
  • Wake County Bar Association
  • North Carolina Association of Defense Attorneys (President; Board of Directors; Chair, CLE Committee; Former Chair, Construction Law Section)
  • North Carolina Bar Association (Former CLE Chair, Construction Section)
  • Mecklenburg County Bar Association
  • Professional Liability Underwriting Society
Bar Admissions (3)
  • North Carolina (2002)
  • US District Court, Eastern, Middle and Western Districts of North Carolina
  • US Court of Appeals 4th Circuit