Raleigh, NC– Richard J. Steele has joined Smith Debnam Narron Drake Saintsing & Myers, L.L.P. Mr. Steele is a Partner in the firm's creditors' rights practice group. He concentrates his practice in the area of creditor's rights with an emphasis on debt collection and retail and commercial litigation. Mr. Steele is experienced in handling a variety of litigation involving creditors including the defense of counterclaims and matters involving purported violations of various state and federal consumer protection statutes. He has represented clients in South Carolina state and federal courts throughout his career.

Mr. Steele is a former prosecutor for the State of South Carolina and has gained substantial trial experience prosecuting misdemeanor and felony criminal cases. He gained additional trial experience in his practice as a criminal defense and civil litigation trial attorney. Mr. Steele was also employed by the United States Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Technology in Washington, D.C. as a staff member for several years and worked for United States Senator Ernest F. Hollings in his district office in South Carolina.

Smith Debnam is a midsize, multi-service law firm with offices in Raleigh and Charlotte, NC. The firm’s practice includes Corporate and Business Law, Business Litigation, Commercial Bankruptcy and Reorganization, Creditor Representation, Insurance Subrogation, Commercial & Residential Real Estate, Community & Homeowner Associations, Construction Law, Equipment Leasing & Finance, Family Law, Estate Planning, Professional Negligence & Workers’ Compensation, Employment Law, and Immigration Law.