Recognized in Bankruptcy and Creditor Debtor Rights / Insolvency and Reorganization Law; listed since 2025.
RALEIGH, N.C. (August 20, 2026) – Smith Debnam partner Melissa Tulis Smith has been recognized in the 2027 edition of Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch® in America for Bankruptcy and Creditor Debtor Rights and Insolvency and Reorganization Law, continuing a year marked by advancement, professional leadership, and outside recognition.
Smith was elevated to partner in January 2026 after building a practice representing businesses through the collection litigation process, from pre-suit efforts through lawsuits, judgments, and executions. Her approach is rooted in careful preparation and candid assessment of the available paths, including the likely costs and outcomes of each.
The recognition follows Smith’s selection as a 2026 North Carolina Lawyers Weekly Excellence in Law “Phenom” and a 2026 North Carolina Super Lawyers Rising Star. She also served as chair of the North Carolina Bar Association Litigation Section for the 2025-26 bar year and continues in section leadership.
“Melissa’s progression reflects the kind of lawyer she has become: technically strong, exceptionally prepared, generous with her time, and increasingly influential in the profession,” said Smith Debnam Managing Partner Jerry T. Myers. “She has earned trust inside the firm, with clients, and among her peers because she approaches each responsibility with the same level of care.”
Smith earned her J.D. from Campbell University School of Law and a bachelor’s degree from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, where she double majored in philosophy and Romance languages. She is admitted in North Carolina, South Carolina, and Virginia.
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.
