Amy B.
Strawser

Amy B. Strawser’s journey into creditors’ rights began long before she set foot in a courtroom, on a sun‑splashed playground as a camp counselor. There, fresh out of college, she learned to listen, to sense when someone needed encouragement, and to guide a team through unexpected challenges. Today, she brings that same blend of curiosity, compassion, and determination to Smith Debnam, representing national and local businesses throughout North Carolina in complex collection matters and civil litigation.

After earning her A.B. in Economics and History from Duke University, Amy pursued her J.D. at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, graduating with high honors and induction into the Order of the Coif. Early in her career, she honed her transactional acumen by working on corporate finance and securities matters. However, it was in the trenches of creditor representation that she found her calling, helping lenders recover delinquent debt in ways that protected both the balance sheet and the creditor-debtor relationship.

North Carolina’s collection landscape carries a reputation for rigor, stringent consumer-protection statutes, and procedural hurdles that can leave even seasoned creditors wary of pursuing claims in the state. Amy sees that reputation not as a roadblock, but as a challenge to outpace expectations. Her competitive drive compels her to turn North Carolina’s “difficult jurisdiction” persona into an advantage, devising creative litigation strategies and pinpointing regulatory nuances to secure the fullest recoveries possible.

What distinguishes Amy is her blend of fierce resolve and genuine respect. She approaches every matter knowing that the toughest fights demand both meticulous preparation and empathy, whether she’s negotiating a nuanced settlement that preserves goodwill or pressing forward in court when negotiations stall. It’s this combination of tenacity and thoughtfulness that gives her clients confidence when the stakes are highest.

Outside the courtroom, Amy draws inspiration from her experience as a mother of three grown children. This role taught her how personalized guidance and clear expectations can help individuals navigate financial pressures. She channels those insights into her practice, continually devising ways to work with defendants to repay amounts owed while respecting their financial limitations. The result is a balanced approach that delivers maximum recoveries for her clients and sustainable, respect-driven outcomes.