Recognized in Commercial Litigation; listed since 2016
RALEIGH, N.C. (August 20, 2026) – Smith Debnam partner Amy B. Strawser has been recognized in the 2027 edition of The Best Lawyers in America® for Commercial Litigation, marking another year of peer recognition for a lawyer whose work is shaped by one of the country’s more demanding collection environments.
Strawser represents national and local businesses in complex collection matters and civil litigation throughout North Carolina. She approaches the state’s stringent consumer-protection requirements and procedural hurdles as problems to solve rather than reasons to retreat, combining close attention to regulatory detail with a willingness to litigate when a negotiated resolution will not protect the client’s interests.
Before focusing her practice on creditors’ rights and litigation, Strawser worked in corporate finance and securities. That transactional foundation continues to inform the way she evaluates disputes, particularly when a legal decision may affect a client’s balance sheet, business relationships, or long-term recovery strategy.
“Amy has a rare ability to be both determined and measured,” said Smith Debnam Managing Partner Jerry T. Myers. “She knows when a matter calls for a hard litigation position and when a thoughtful resolution will accomplish more for the client. That judgment is a significant reason clients trust her with difficult disputes.”
Strawser joined Smith Debnam through the firm’s 2025 acquisition of Bernhardt and Strawser, P.A., expanding the firm’s presence in Charlotte. She earned her J.D. with high honors from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, where she was inducted into the Order of the Coif, and earned her undergraduate degree in economics and history from Duke University.
About Smith Debnam
Founded in 1972, Smith Debnam Attorneys at Law has built its reputation by helping businesses, financial institutions, professional service providers and individuals navigate important legal decisions with confidence. From headquarters in Raleigh, North Carolina, and regional offices in Charlotte, North Carolina, and Charleston, South Carolina, the firm serves clients across diverse industries, delivering comprehensive legal counsel in litigation, business and transactional matters, creditors’ rights, family law, estate planning, and personal representation. Whether helping a financial institution manage risk, guiding a family-owned business through growth, assisting a family in planning for the future, or resolving complex disputes, Smith Debnam combines deep legal experience with integrity, responsiveness, and a commitment to building relationships that span generations.
