TBJ Triangle Law Award 2026

Dave Kleiman Honored with Inaugural TBJ Triangle Law Award 2026

The Triangle Business Journal (TBJ) recently unveiled the winners of its inaugural Triangle Law Awards, recognizing the most outstanding legal professionals in one of the nation’s most vibrant business hubs. Among the select group of 20 honorees for 2026 is Dave Kleiman, Vice President of HR, Legal & Compliance, and General Counsel for Raleigh-headquartered Sunstates Security.

The Triangle Law Awards are a new benchmark for legal excellence in the region. Unlike awards based solely on tenure, the TBJ selection committee focused on specific accomplishments from the past year, influence within the Triangle’s key business sectors, and a deep commitment to community and nonprofit involvement.

A Year of Growth and Integration

For Dave Kleiman, the past year was defined by a massive milestone: leading the legal, HR, and compliance workstreams for Sunstates’ first major strategic acquisition. This transition added nearly 1,000 employees across highly regulated markets, including New York.

Dave didn’t just manage the paperwork; he navigated the complex intersection of multi-state licensing, benefits alignment, and risk mitigation. “The project’s success came from aligning legal strategy with operational execution and culture,” Dave noted. “It ensured the business could scale without compromising its standards.”

Driving Financial Discipline Through Proactive Oversight

In a high-stakes industry like private security, reactive leadership can be costly. Dave has spent his nine years in the Triangle (having moved from Chicago) building systems that anticipate risk. His disciplined approach yielded measurable results in 2025, with Sunstates closing the year below projected legal spend and anticipated workers’ compensation losses.

By treating the legal department as a strategic partner rather than a checkpoint, Dave has helped Sunstates grow from 1,500 employees when he joined in 2017 to over 7,500 professionals nationwide today.

Leading with “Extreme Ownership”

Dave’s leadership style is heavily influenced by the intersection of business strategy and people. “The question is not just how to avoid risk,” Dave says, “but how to take the right risks while building a business grounded in honesty, integrity, and trust.”

This philosophy extends to how Sunstates utilizes modern technology. Dave views AI as a “force multiplier” for efficiency in contract review and recruiting, provided it is guided by strong governance and human judgment.

Commitment Beyond the Office

For Dave, community involvement is an extension of leadership. Whether he is coaching Pop Warner football, mentoring up-and-coming legal professionals, or volunteering for the Triangle Heart Walk and the Annual Kids Coat Drive, his focus remains on development and accountability.

“Coaching allows me to stay grounded in teamwork and development,” Dave explains. “These are the same principles that translate directly into my professional life.”

TBJ Triangle Law Award 2026

Dave and his fellow honorees will be celebrated this April with a private dinner at the iconic Angus Barn Wine Cellar. A full profile of his achievements and his vision for the future of legal risk, focusing on data protection and insider threats, will be published in a special April 24 edition of the Triangle Business Journal.

As Sunstates CEO Denis Kelly puts it: “Dave operates as a true business partner, not just legal counsel. His foresight and judgment have been essential to scaling Sunstates responsibly, and the company is stronger because of it.”