Raleigh, N.C. (August 21, 2025) – Smith Debnam is proud to announce that 18 of its attorneys have been selected for inclusion in the 2026 edition of The Best Lawyers in America©, one of the most respected peer-review publications in the legal profession. The firm’s attorneys were recognized across 15 practice areas, demonstrating a broad commitment to client service and professional distinction.
Best Lawyers honors legal practitioners who receive the highest recommendations from peers in their respective fields. Recognition in The Best Lawyers in America© is based entirely on peer review, reflecting the consensus of leading lawyers regarding the professional abilities of their colleagues within the same geographical region and legal practice area.
The following Smith Debnam attorneys were recognized in their respective categories:
- Connie E. Carrigan – Labor Law – Management; Litigation – Labor and Employment
- Caren D. Enloe – Bankruptcy and Creditor Debtor Rights / Insolvency and Reorganization Law
- A.T. Debnam – Family Law; Family Law Mediation
- W. Thurston Debnam, Jr. – Business Organizations (including LLCs and Partnerships); Commercial Litigation; Corporate Law; Real Estate Law
- Michael J. Denning – Family Law; Family Law Mediation; Family Law Arbitration
- Franklin Drake – Bankruptcy and Creditor Debtor Rights / Insolvency and Reorganization Law
- Gary H. Groon, Jr. – Bankruptcy and Creditor Debtor Rights / Insolvency and Reorganization Law
- Lynn W. McNally – Family Law
- Jerry T. Myers – Bankruptcy and Creditor Debtor Rights / Insolvency and Reorganization Law
- John W. Narron – Family Law
- Jeff D. Rogers – Mortgage Banking Foreclosure Law; Real Estate Law
- Kristin H. Ruth – Family Law; Family Law Mediation
- Byron L. Saintsing – Banking and Finance Law; Commercial Litigation
- Bettie K. Sousa – Bankruptcy and Creditor Debtor Rights / Insolvency and Reorganization Law; Commercial Litigation; Corporate Law
- John M. Sperati – Commercial Litigation; Litigation – Construction
- Rose H. Stout – Family Law
- J. Ronald Jones, Jr. – Bankruptcy and Creditor Debtor Rights / Insolvency and Reorganization Law; Litigation – Bankruptcy
“We are delighted to see so many of our attorneys acknowledged by their peers through Best Lawyers,” said Jerry T. Myers, Managing Partner. “This recognition is a testament to their hard work, deep knowledge, and the trusted relationships they have built with clients across North Carolina and beyond.”
For more information about The Best Lawyers in America© and the methodology behind the awards, visit www.bestlawyers.com.
About Smith Debnam
For over five decades, Smith Debnam has been at the forefront of legal excellence, serving as a trusted advisor to institutions and individuals across a wide range of industries. Their team of accomplished legal professionals combines experience, compassion, and a commitment to responsible representation. With headquarters in Raleigh, North Carolina, and regional offices in Charlotte, North Carolina and Charleston, South Carolina, Smith Debnam is strategically positioned to provide comprehensive legal services throughout the region. Their extensive experience in state and federal courts allows the firm to navigate diverse practice areas, including Creditors’ Rights, Litigation, Transactional and Advisory Services, Divorce and Family Law, and Personal Representation.
