Raleigh, N.C. (January 6, 2022) – Smith Debnam today announced that ten Smith Debnam attorneys were named “North Carolina’s 2022 Legal Elite” by Business North Carolina Magazine. The North Carolina Legal Elite class of 2022 comprises approximately 870 lawyers, roughly 4% of the state’s licensed attorneys.
Once a year, Business North Carolina Magazine distributes ballots to active North Carolina Bar Association members who reside in the state. Voters are not allowed to vote for themselves and may only select members of their firms if they also select out-of-firm lawyers in the same categories, with the out-of-firm votes weighted more heavily.
Below are the Smith Debnam attorneys recognized in Business North Carolina Magazine’s 2022 Legal Elite and the categories in which they were recognized.
~APPELLATE~
Alicia Jurney is a North Carolina Board Certified Family Law Specialist in the firm’s Family Law practice group. Her experience with domestic actions includes handling related complex civil litigation matters, such as tortious interference with child custody, alienation of affections, criminal conversation, and interstate child abduction.
~BANKRUPTCY~
Landon Van Winkle is an associate within the firm’s Consumer Financial Services Compliance & Litigation practice group. He assists clients with pre-suit negotiations and litigation involving consumer financial services litigation and compliance and bankruptcy.
~BUSINESS~
Bettie K. Sousa has practiced with Smith Debnam since becoming licensed in 1981. She has a wealth of experience in state and federal courts at trial and appellate levels. She represents primarily businesses —large and small — in various matters, including advising clients during business break-ups, contract drafting and review, and disputes involving sales of goods or services.
~CONSTRUCTION~
Byron L. Saintsing leads Smith Debnam’s Construction Law and Commercial Litigation practice group. He focuses on construction law, complex business litigation, and commercial creditor bankruptcy in his practice. In addition, Saintsing has written and lectured on many topics about construction and equipment leasing, including editing materials on North Carolina’s adoption of Article 2A of the Uniform Commercial Code.
~EMPLOYMENT LAW~
Connie E. Carrigan is a partner in the firm with a practice concentration in Business Law. Her focus is on assisting clients with Employment Law issues, business advice and litigation, construction law, equipment leasing, and creditor bankruptcy. In addition, Carrigan has lectured on topics ranging from employment law, bankruptcy, and equipment leasing to construction law.
~ESTATE PLANNING~
Andrew Bullard is a member of the firm’s Trust and Estates practice area, where he represents clients in matters involving complex estate planning and will administration. Originally from Grand Haven, Michigan, Bullard attended the University of Michigan, graduating with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Political Science. He earned his J.D. from Michigan State University College of Law.
~FAMILY LAW~
Anna Claire Turpin is an associate within the Family Law group at Smith Debnam. She represents clients in various family law matters, including separation and divorce, child custody and support, alimony, equitable distribution, domestic violence, and termination of parental rights.
Lynn McNally is a leader in the firm’s Family Law practice group. As a Board Certified Family Law Specialist and Certified Family Financial Settlement Mediator, she represents individuals in matters involving separation, divorce, child custody, child support, alimony, equitable distribution, domestic violence, parental rights termination, legitimation, and other issues pertaining to family law.
Max Rodden is a North Carolina Bar Board Certified Family Law Specialist and has been practicing family law since 1991. He represents clients in all aspects of Family Law. He has extensive trial experience at all levels of North Carolina courts, including district, superior, special proceedings, juvenile, small claims, administrative proceedings, the Court of Appeals, and the Supreme Court.
~REAL ESTATE~
Lauren V. Reeves leads the Business Law practice group at Smith Debnam. She represents lenders, individuals, and businesses in Real Estate matters, including real estate closings, purchasing, leasing, selling, financing, and all title issues arising in residential and commercial real estate transactions.
About Smith Debnam
Founded in 1972, Smith Debnam is a leading, multi-practice regional law firm for institutions and private individuals who value a responsible and caring approach from an accomplished team of experienced legal professionals. Headquartered in Raleigh, North Carolina, with a regional office in Charleston, South Carolina, the firm represents clients in Banking, Financial Services, Equipment Leasing, Construction, Mortgage Servicing, Manufacturing, and Professional Services industries. In addition, Smith Debnam has extensive experience in state and federal courts across a diverse list of practice areas, including Corporate and Business Law, Business Litigation, Commercial Bankruptcy and Reorganization, Foreclosures, Creditor Representation, Consumer Collections, Commercial & Residential Real Estate, Construction Law, Employment Law, Equipment Leasing & Finance, Family Law, and Trusts & Estates.
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For more information about the methodology behind Business North Carolina’s Legal Elite, visit http://businessnc.com/special-sections/legal-elite/.
