Ned W.
Mangum

Former Chief District Court Judge Ned W. Mangum, a Partner at Smith Debnam, is a seasoned attorney who brings unparalleled experience, know-how, and commitment to your case. Whether you’re facing a family law matter, require robust representation in civil litigation, or before a professional licensing board, Ned’s wealth of experience and client-centered approach make him the attorney you can rely on.

Ned is a compassionate and ethical attorney who will dive deep into the unique nuances of your situation. His approach is to find practical solutions that will keep you out of the courtroom whenever possible. But when litigation becomes unavoidable, you’ll be in the good hands of an exceptional and experienced courtroom attorney who has tried more than one hundred jury trials. 

Ned presided on the District Court bench for over 16 years, including two and a half years as the Wake Chief District Court Judge. He has served as Wake County District Attorney and Assistant District Attorney. Over the span of his career, Ned has been involved in thousands of family law and civil cases and has seen all the mistakes, big and small, that litigants and lawyers make. He wants to make sure you don’t experience those same pitfalls. 

A Raleigh native, Ned serves on the North Carolina Board of Law Examiners. He is a past president of the Wake County Bar and earned the Bar’s prestigious President’s Award for Excellence in 2014. Among his peers, Ned stands out as a knowledgeable and exceptional attorney who has taught numerous hours of Continuing Legal Education courses for attorneys across North Carolina and graduate-level classes as an adjunct professor at Meredith College. In January 2024, Ned received the Old North State Award for excellence from North Carolina Governor Roy Cooper.