Creditors’ Rights
For this Raleigh native, becoming a lawyer was destined from an early age borne out of a natural gift for problem-solving. She pursued an undergraduate degree in philosophy, where she thrived in the realm of intellectual discourse and debate. She enjoyed tackling the usually ostentatious hypotheticals presented by her professors, honing her skills at testing theories or lines of logic through judicious analyses in the most extreme scenarios possible – skills that have proven invaluable to her effectiveness as a lawyer.
As a partner in the firm’s Consumer Collections practice group, Melissa assists a broad range of businesses through the rigorous stages of the collection litigation process, including pre-suit collection efforts, lawsuits, judgments, and executions. These matters often involve a myriad of moving parts – the assemblage of which must be precise and unblemished both in execution and completion. Hallmarks of Melissa’s client advocacy include her high level of preparedness and the efficiency with which she maximizes her time. Driven by an innate optimism that a system can achieve excellence and efficiency through hard work and diligence, she strives to maintain a level of candor with clients regarding all possible approaches to their legal matter. Clients know they can count on her to be informative and honest about their options and likely outcomes.
To her clients and colleagues alike, Melissa is known for her kindness and respect for others. Even in the face of adversity and aggression from an opposing party or counsel, her professionalism and grace never falter. Instead, she draws from wisdom earned at a young age, steadfast in the belief that only when you show kindness toward someone who disagrees with you, are you better positioned to understand their argument and articulate your own.
Licensed to practice law in North Carolina, South Carolina, and Virginia, Melissa received her J.D. from Campbell University’s Norman Adrian Wiggins School of Law and holds a B.A. from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.
Proven Record of Excellence
My Credentials
Admissions
- North Carolina State Bar, 2016
- U.S. District Court for the Middle District of North Carolina, 2019
- U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of North Carolina
- U.S. District Court for the Western District of North Carolina
- U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia
- South Carolina State Bar, 2020
- Virginia State Bar, 2022
Education
- J.D., Campbell Law School, 2016
- B.A., the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, 2013, double-major in Philosophy & Romance Languages
Professional Affiliations
- North Carolina Bar Association; Chair of the Litigation Section; Co-Chair of Membership Committee; Young Lawyers Division Member
- Wake County Bar Association, Member
- Tenth Judicial Bar
- North Carolina Creditors Bar Association, Membership Committee Chair
- South Carolina Bar Association; Young Lawyers Division Member
- Virginia Creditors’ Bar Association, Member
- American Bar Association, Business Law Section Member, Consumer Financial Services Committee Member
- Midtown Raleigh Alliance, Member
Awards & Recognition
- Selected as 2026 Excellence in Law “Phenom” by North Carolina Lawyers Weekly
- Listed in Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch – 2025, 2026
- Listed in North Carolina Super Lawyers Rising Stars – 2024, 2025, 2026
Civic Involvement
- StepUp Ministry
- Junior League of Raleigh
Published Articles
- Co-Author, Should Debt Collectors and Credit Furnishers Keep It in the Middle of the Road? Collateral Challenges to the Legal Validity of the Debt May Lead to Liability for Both Furnishers of Credit Information and for Debt Collectors (Consumer Finance Law Quarterly Report, Vol. 76, Nos. 1-2, May 2023)
Articles
Podcasts
Industry Leadership
Melissa Tulis Smith has established herself as an active leader within both the litigation and creditors’ rights communities through organizational leadership, authorship, and sustained involvement in professional development initiatives.
Melissa serves as Chair of the North Carolina Bar Association Litigation Section and previously served as Co-Chair of its Membership Committee, helping support engagement and growth within one of the state’s largest legal organizations.
Her leadership within the creditors’ rights industry includes serving as Membership Committee Chair for the North Carolina Creditors Bar Association. Melissa also maintains active involvement with both the American Bar Association Business Law Committee and the Consumer Financial Services Committee, further connecting her to broader conversations that impact the financial services and litigation industries. In addition to her organizational leadership, Melissa has published in the Consumer Finance Law Quarterly Report and has been recognized through numerous professional honors, including Excellence in Law “Phenom” recognition. She is also a frequent author and contributor on issues affecting creditors’ rights and litigation practice.
News
Smith Debnam Advances Melissa Tulis Smith to Partner
January 05, 2026
Smith Debnam Attorneys Recognized in NC Super Lawyers 2025 Edition
February 25, 2025Past Events
Recommended Articles
Link forWhat it Means to “Do Collections Right” 
Link forThe Historic Impact of Chevron Deference on Debt Collection Regulation and the Uncertain Future Without It
Creditors’ Rights
The Historic Impact of Chevron Deference on Debt Collection Regulation and the Uncertain Future Without It
November 06, 2024| by Melissa Tulis Smith Link forImportant Deadlines for Businesses Operating Under an Assumed Business Name
Transactional & Advisory Services
Important Deadlines for Businesses Operating Under an Assumed Business Name
August 16, 2021| by Melissa Tulis Smith Link forPandemic Restrictions on Landlord-Tenant Evictions
Pandemic Restrictions on Landlord-Tenant Evictions
March 11, 2021| by Melissa Tulis Smith