2. David Daggett
COVER STORY
Balancing Life’s Anchors
By Carolyn S. Peterson
He Likes Calling
Winston-Salem His Home
When David Daggett speaks of
Winston-Salem, his chosen ‘home town,’ he
sounds like a member of the Chamber of
Commerce. “I came to this city 26 years ago to
attend WFU School of Law and I remember going
home on Christmas break in 1982 and telling my
parents that I was going to live in Winston-Salem the rest
of my life. I was born in Iowa, moved to Detroit, Chicago,
Indiana, for my undergraduate studies at Indiana State, then
back to Chicago. Winston-Salem is a unique combination,
offering the ability to travel within the city quickly, access the
arts, from the NCSA to the Winston-Salem Symphony, to the
sporting events like the ACC and professional sports in
Charlotte, then the recreational activities, close to the mountains
and beaches; it would be hard to find a place with everything that
Winston-Salem has to offer,” stated Daggett.
His time in Winston-Salem began as a student, and then as an
attorney with Michael Lewis. “I began with Mike in 1985 right
out of school and became partner in 1987. When I began,
Mike’s office was a general trial firm, handling criminal,
domestic and injury cases. As the practice of law became more
concentrated, we decided that in order to represent our clients
to the best of our abilities, we would need to concentrate on
cases involving serious injury, disability, workers
compensation and eminent domain,” recalled Daggett. The
Lewis & Daggett partnership works so well because as
Daggett said, “Mike and I have different, yet complementary,
talents, skills and viewpoints. Between us, we are able to view
issues and cases from multiple perspectives which is an asset to
our firm and clients. Mike has been my mentor, friend and
colleague for over 23 years.”
August Issue 2008 • 13

3. FOUR ANCHORS Salem. “We began when our kids were in the class, but now it is great
just to see the children in the class grow up. I love to stop by and have
Cathedral of Nature: Nurturing a Spiritual Relationship
the kids run up to me and give me a hug,” said Daggett.
For Daggett, life is about loyalty and commitment to four areas, or
Bringing Awareness to the Community: The Professional Anchor
anchors in life, that he has chosen to funnel his energy into.
The four anchors are spirituality, family, professional Reaching the older youth in the Triad is also a big
and physical. Daggett believes that the extent part of Daggett’s community involvement
to which one is able to combine those and professional anchor. For the past
anchors, steward one’s time, and 18 years, Lewis & Daggett
weave each one into all the aspects Attorneys at Law has sponsored
of one’s life, only makes one’s ‘Safe and Sober Prom Night.’
life richer in each area. “When “The issue of drinking and
I am training, particularly on driving was one that we as
my bike, I always consider a law firm had seen from
myself to be in ‘Cathedral of both perspectives. We
Nature’ which for me only had represented both sides
reinforces and reconnects the in many cases and we
spiritual connection” said knew it was a subject that
Daggett. Maintaining the we could speak to with
connection to his spiritual beliefs authority. We decided to put
and the time he spends with God, our money where our mouths
comes while on his weekly bike rides, were and do something about raising
as well as his time at church. “Combining the awareness for young people about
my physical fitness regimen and spiritual time drinking and driving,” commented Daggett. In
only makes each individual part richer,” stated Daggett. the 18 years of the program, the staff of Lewis and
Daggett has taken the issue to heart and each uses their talents to
Balancing the Scales of Justice and Family
interact with local students. “Safe and Sober Prom Night has grown to
As a husband to wife Cindy for over 10 years, and the father of three, a 34 high schools across the Triad, including more than 14,000 juniors
concurrent use of time in all aspects of Daggett’s life is a must to keep and seniors. Personally, I enjoy talking to students about the support
his family and his commitments, made to others and to himself, a focus. they have from the community of teachers, coaches, parents, police
officers, but also on the support they can give each other as peers.
There is no doubt that most of us could use more time in our day. Or
Over the years, I have spoken to hundreds of thousands of students on
maybe we have enough time, we just don’t use it as wisely as we could.
themes including the legal system, drinking and driving, business and,
That is where the subject of balance comes in for Daggett. “I think I
most recently, internet safety. These are all subjects that a heightened
keep my life in balance fairly well. Occasionally things go one way or
awareness of can made a difference in lives,” stated Daggett. Each year
the other, but I realize it and get it back. I’ve never been one to need a
the ‘Safe and Sober Prom Night’ program offers a t-shirt design contest
kick in the pants to get going, but sometimes I need a bit to reign me in.
within the schools. A video production competition is also held and
For me, keeping family a priority is essential. Because of the time
guest speakers, like Bob Anastas of Students Against Drunk Driving
constraints that I have, I often combine my activities to use my time
(SADD), are invited to share their stories of the dangers of alcohol,
wisely. For instance, when our family goes to visit my in-laws in
drugs and driving. “I’ve had students come up to
Roanoke, Virginia, my wife drives the kids and I ride my
me after an assembly and say, ‘No one has
bike to Roanoke and meet them there. Then we visit
ever gotten through to me, but you
and she drives back with the kids and I ride
may have today.’ That means a
back. We also like hiking. I’ll leave early
lot to me,” said Daggett.
and ride to Hanging Rock and then my
wife and kids will meet me there and The Fourth Anchor:
we’ll have a family outing. On Physical Fitness
Saturdays, I start out as soon as the
There is a saying that
sun rises and ride my 70 miles, which
‘you can’t be of benefit
takes me 3 hours and 21 minutes,
to others, if you don’t
then I have the rest of the day to spend
take care of yourself.’
with my family,” stated Daggett.
Daggett believes in
In the grand scheme of things, Daggett got physical fitness, beyond the
off to a late start with marriage at 37, but he norm. “I work out at the YMCA
and his wife Cindy, a textile scientist and former every morning at 5 AM and I have
marketing executive, now stay at home mom, competed in 148 triathlons since I started
experienced life through travel and jobs in their 20’s and 30’s, with my first one on a dare in 1982. For most
and now time with their children takes precedence over other activities. people who compete in triathlons, they have one of the three stages that
One activity that Daggett and Cindy enjoy is teaching the 2 and 3 year they are weaker in, whether that is swimming, biking, or running, but I
olds Sunday School at New Philadelphia Moravian Church in Winston- seem to have ‘less weaknesses’ than most, in that I am good at each
14 • forsythfamilymagazine.com

4. stage. I do enjoy the biking portion the most. The most challenging together. Cindy keeps me informed on what is going on in the world
race is the Hawaii Ironman World Triathlon Championship, for which I with my pile of clippings from papers that I need to read. She had a
have qualified and competed in five times, along with 12 other Ironman career in the textiles industry with several patents on cold weather gear,
competitions,” stated Daggett. In his many triathlons, the Daggett clan but she chose to stay at home with our children and has never looked
has been there to cheer Dad on and inspire him to the finish line. back” commented Daggett. Once when Cindy was asked about her
favorite trait of her husband’s she answered, “David is a
Being a Type ‘A’ perfectionist, and disciplined
good protector,” to which Daggett took a degree
individual has helped Daggett in athletics as
of offense. “Cindy didn’t mention looks,
well as his chosen profession of attorney.
humor, charm, nothing, but that I was
“The discipline that I have in my
a good protector. But when I
physical life has benefited me
pressed the subject, she said,
overall with the mind-body
‘When David is around, you
connection. Keeping both, the
never have to worry. He is
mind and the body, strong only
there protecting you.’” What
strengthens the connection
more could a wife, child,
between the two. I have a
church or client need than a
competitive spirit in athletics
‘good protector’? David Daggett
and in my professional life. I love
is proud and honored to be known
the interaction with people and
as a ‘good protector’ for all the
helping them during what is, for most,
‘anchors’ in his life.
the worst time of their lives and giving
them counsel to get them through,” Lewis & Daggett Attorneys at Law, P is
.A.
said Daggett. located at 285 Executive Park Blvd. in Winston-Salem
and at 1429 B Westover Terrace in Greensboro. Their phone numbers
BEHIND EVERY GOOD MAN… are (W-S) 765-7777 and (GSO) 851-1000. David Daggett has a daily
blog where he shares his triathlon experiences along with life’s
Everyone knows that behind every good man is an even better woman.
experiences: www.daviddaggett.wordpress.com. The Safe and Sober
For Daggett that is wife, Cindy. After meeting on a blind date over
Prom Night web site is www.safeandsober.com. The firm’s web site is
lunch, Daggett soon realized that Cindy was ‘the one.’ “She is an
www.lewisdaggett.com.
incredible mom. Her dedication to the family keeps everything