C. Destine A. Couch, Esquire
Admitted to the North Carolina State Bar in 2003, Attorney Couch has extensive bench and jury trial experience in both District and Superior Court. In addition to his experience in the private practice of law, Attorney Couch has served the public as an Assistant District Attorney for Durham County. He is a community volunteer whose efforts include, but are not limited to, mentoring youth, participating in Habitat for Humanity, and serving as a volunteer judge for the Durham County Teen Court and Restitution Program, and ushering at St. Joseph's AME Church.
Education
- North Carolina Central School of Law, J.D., Durham, NC - May, 2003
- North Carolina State University, B.S. Political Science, Raleigh, NC - May 2000
- Hillside High School, Durham, NC. June 1996
Memberships
- North Carolina Bar Association
- North Carolina Advocates for Justice
- Durham County Bar Association
- 14th District Judicial Bar
- Durham County Criminal Defense Bar
- George H. White Bar
- Vice-Chair, Durham County Teen Court and Restitution Program Advisory Board
Finesse Couch, Esquire
“There is no substitute for experience”
Finesse has practiced and taught law in North Carolina for twenty-five years. She has researched and written legal articles for publication on the topics of public education reform and crime prevention through "tough love." She practices primarily in the areas of torts, contracts and mediation. Also a motivational speaker, Finesse has conducted seminars nationally, statewide and locally on her published topics. She has also presented at conventions, conferences and churches across the country. Finesse’s awards and recognitions are numerous.
They include, but are not limited to:
- Law Professor of the Year Award three consecutive years at North Carolina Central University School of Law.
- The 1994 Business Associate of the Year Award from the Tarheel Branch of the American Business Women Association in Raleigh.
- And Governor's Award for Excellence Nomination, 1995.
- Finesse also served as the President of the Durham County Bar Association.
- She is a member of the North Carolina Academy of Trial Lawyers, the North Carolina Association of Black Attorneys and the Association of Trial Lawyers of America.
- Finesse also served as the Chair of the NC Bar Association’s Local Bar Services Committee.
- She is also a member of the Durham Mayor’s Restoration Leadership Institute for Youth.
Education
- Duke University School of Law, Durham, NC, 1984
- North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC, 1981
- University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, 1979-1980
Publications
- Not Just Another Brown Analysis: A Call for Public Education Reform. NCCU L.J. Vol 20, No.2, 148
- Some Thoughts on Penology, Tough Love, and Prevention, Human Rights, ABA, Spring 2002, Vol. 29, No. 2