Recognized in Labor Law – Management and Litigation – Labor and Employment; listed since 2022.
RALEIGH, N.C. (August 20, 2026) – Smith Debnam attorney Connie Elder Carrigan has been recognized in the 2027 edition of The Best Lawyers in America® for Labor Law – Management and Litigation – Labor and Employment, reflecting a practice built around helping employers make consequential workplace decisions with a clear view of their practical impact.
For more than three decades, Carrigan has advised employers and business leaders on employment policies, compensation, harassment and discrimination matters, terminations and severance, restrictive covenants, and employment agreements. Her work often begins before a dispute develops, when a well-considered policy, contract, or decision can prevent a larger problem later.
Carrigan stays closely connected to the operational side of employment law through organizations including the Society for Human Resource Management. She approaches her role as both legal counselor and facilitator, helping clients identify the legal issue at hand and connect it to the internal processes and resources needed to move forward.
“Connie has always understood that employment law happens inside a business, not in a vacuum,” said Smith Debnam Managing Partner Jerry T. Myers. “She gives clients advice they can actually use, and she follows through. That combination of legal knowledge, responsiveness, and genuine investment in people has defined her practice for years.”
Carrigan has been listed in Best Lawyers since 2022. She earned her J.D. from Campbell University School of Law and her bachelor’s degree, cum laude, from North Carolina State University. She also advises individual clients in estate planning and trust and estate administration.
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.
