Recognized in Family Law and Family Law Mediation; listed since 2025.
RALEIGH, N.C. (August 20, 2026) – Smith Debnam partner A.T. Debnam has been recognized in the 2027 edition of The Best Lawyers in America® for Family Law and Family Law Mediation, honoring a practice centered on helping clients move from a difficult ending toward a workable next chapter.
A Board Certified Family Law Specialist and certified family financial mediator, Debnam handles matters ranging from uncontested divorce to high-conflict custody disputes and complex equitable distribution involving closely held businesses and significant assets. She is known for giving clients a clear picture of what lies ahead so they can make decisions with less uncertainty.
That counseling role is central to Debnam’s approach. She listens closely to a client’s goals and fears, addresses the details that can shape the case, and keeps the larger life consequences in view. Mediation is an important part of that work when parties can resolve disputes without turning every decision over to a court.
“A.T. never loses sight of the person living through the case,” said Smith Debnam Managing Partner Jerry T. Myers. “She is candid about the law and disciplined about the details, but she also helps clients see that there is life on the other side of the dispute. That is an important kind of advocacy in family law.”
Debnam has been a Board Certified Family Law Specialist since 2014 and a certified family financial mediator since 2018. She earned her J.D. from Elon University School of Law and her bachelor’s degree from Wake Forest 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.
