Recognized in Family Law, Family Law Arbitration, and Family Law Mediation; listed since 2025.
RALEIGH, N.C. (August 20, 2026) – Smith Debnam attorney Michael J. Denning has been recognized in the 2027 edition of The Best Lawyers in America® for Family Law, Family Law Arbitration, and Family Law Mediation.
Denning focuses his practice on helping parties address disputes involving divorce, child custody, equitable distribution, child support, and alimony. A certified family financial mediator through the North Carolina Dispute Resolution Commission, he also mediates business and corporate matters.
Mediation and arbitration give parties an opportunity to address difficult issues outside the traditional litigation process. In family law matters especially, Denning works with parties and their attorneys as they confront decisions involving finances, property, parenting, and the other consequences that can accompany the end of a marriage or relationship. Before joining Smith Debnam’s Mediation and Arbitration Practice Group, Denning served on the District Court bench in Wake County. He was elected to the court in 2010. His earlier career also included more than 10 years of service in the U.S. Marine Corps, including assignments as a Marine Security Guard at U.S. embassies in Asia.
“Michael approaches difficult disputes with patience, discipline, and respect for the people involved,” said Smith Debnam Managing Partner Jerry T. Myers. “He recognizes that meaningful resolution requires more than identifying the issues. It requires listening carefully, keeping the conversation productive, and helping people work through decisions that can have lasting consequences.”
Denning has been recognized by Best Lawyers since 2025. He earned his J.D. from Campbell University School of Law and undergraduate degrees from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.
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.
