Recognized in Bankruptcy and Creditor-Debtor Rights / Insolvency and Reorganization Law, Commercial Litigation, and Corporate Law; listed since 2018.
RALEIGH, N.C. (August 20, 2026) – Smith Debnam attorney Bettie Kelley Sousa has been recognized in three areas in the 2027 edition of The Best Lawyers in America®: Bankruptcy and Creditor Debtor Rights / Insolvency and Reorganization Law, Commercial Litigation, and Corporate Law.
The three-category recognition reflects the breadth of a practice Sousa has built at Smith Debnam since becoming licensed in 1981. She advises businesses large and small on disputes, collection and enforcement of judgment, contract disputes, and sales of goods and services, and she has litigated in state and federal courts, including bankruptcy courts, at both the trial and appellate levels.
Sousa’s first instinct is not to litigate. She places a premium on finding durable resolutions and documenting agreements in ways that reduce the likelihood of another dispute. When litigation is required, however, she brings decades of trial experience representing both plaintiffs and defendants.
“Bettie has a remarkable ability to separate what matters from what is simply making noise,” said Smith Debnam Managing Partner Jerry T. Myers. “She brings clarity to complicated business disputes, keeps the client’s larger objective in view, and has the judgement to know when to press forward and when a different path will produce the better result.”
Best Lawyers has recognized Sousa since 2018, and North Carolina Super Lawyers has recognized her for Business Litigation since 2011. She previously served as president and chair of the American Board of Certification and remains an emeritus director. She also created and taught a Business Litigation course for several years at Wake Forest University School of Law.
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.
