Recognition
We are honored by the recent recognition our firm and individual lawyers have received from clients, peers and the business community:
- Chambers USA
More than half of Smith Anderson’s 2024 Chambers USA-rated practices are now ranked in the highest category that the publication awards ("Band 1"). We continue to have more lawyers recognized within the practice of Corporate/M&A than any other North Carolina-based law firm. In the publication's practice area rankings, the firm received honors in thirteen practice categories.
Smith Anderson also earned the top ranking of Band 1 in the North Carolina Private Wealth Law chapter of the Chambers High Net Worth (HNW) Guide, making it the only Band 1 firm in the state recognized for its work in Private Wealth Law. Three of the firm’s Trusts and Estates attorneys are also ranked in the Guide.
- Chambers Global
Smith Anderson is one of only eight law firms in the world to be recognized in the Agribusiness chapter of the Chambers Global 2024 guide. According to clients, "The guidance given by the Smith Anderson team is consistently strong, well-positioned and well-articulated."
- BTI Client Service A-Team
Smith Anderson was recognized as one of the nation's top law firms for client service excellence in the 2020 BTI Client Service A-Team guide, the only law firm ranking based solely on direct, unprompted feedback from corporate counsel.
- BTI Consulting Group
Smith Anderson was identified by BTI Consulting Group as one of 37 midsize law firms across the United States “punching above their weight” by “bring[ing] the same level of confidence and reliability as the big firms.” Research conducted by the BTI Consulting Group is based on more than 340 in-depth interviews with legal decision makers at large organizations.
- Best Law Firms®
The 2025 edition of Best Law Firms® has recognized Smith Anderson as a leading firm in a total of 48 practice areas, including 41 Metropolitan Tier 1 ratings, the highest rating available in a specific geographic region, and two National ratings.
- Best Lawyers®
The 2025 edition of The Best Lawyers in America® recognized 82 of our lawyers – including five named “Lawyer of the Year” for Raleigh and 29 were named Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch® in America.
- Benchmark Litigation
Smith Anderson was named the 2024 "North Carolina Firm of the Year" and Benchmark Litigation, “the definitive guide to America’s leading litigation firms and lawyers,” recognized 12 of our attorneys as North Carolina “Litigation Stars” in its 2025 edition. Smith Anderson was also awarded a “Highly Recommended” ranking for North Carolina, the highest possible rating.
- LMG Life Sciences
Smith Anderson received national recognition from LMG Life Sciences in the publication’s 2024 rankings, maintaining our position in the Licensing & Collaboration category for the third consecutive year. We remain the only law firm based in North Carolina to achieve this prestigious national acknowledgment. LMG Life Sciences is the only ranking directory to identify leading law firms and lawyers in various practice areas of the life sciences industry.
- North Carolina Super Lawyers
The 2024 guide recognizes 27 of the firm's lawyers as either Super Lawyers or Rising Stars in its annual ratings.
- Midsize Mansfield Certified Plus
Smith Anderson has again achieved Mansfield Certified Plus status for the firm’s efforts to attract, retain and develop attorneys from underrepresented groups and for ensuring all firm talent has a fair and equal opportunity to advance into leadership.
- NLJ 500
Smith Anderson is listed at number 285 on the National Law Journal’s 2024 “NLJ 500” list, which identifies the 500 largest law firms in the United States based on the average number of full-time attorneys for the period between Jan. 1 and Dec. 31, 2023.
- Business North Carolina
Business North Carolina magazine has selected Smith Anderson, the largest business and litigation law firm headquartered in the Research Triangle region, as one of North Carolina’s Best Employers. The program recognizes the state’s best places to work with the awards program for North Carolina companies that are taking steps to build positive, enduring cultures.
- Triangle Business Journal - 2024 Best Places to Work
Smith Anderson was named a 2024 “Best Place to Work” by the Triangle Business Journal for the fifth year in row. The award recognizes the most admired workplaces in the region and is measured by employee feedback about the direction of the business, management effectiveness, level of employee engagement, culture, work/life balance, pay and benefits.
- Law360
Smith Anderson landed on the Law360 list of the 400 largest law firms in the U.S. at 288, measured by domestic attorney headcount as of Dec. 31, 2023.
- RecognitionByron Kirkland Earns ‘Managing Partner to Watch' Honor Again from North Carolina Lawyers Weekly
- NewsSmith Anderson Achieves Mansfield Certified Plus Status for the Second Consecutive Year, Recognized for Commitment to Diversity and Inclusion Efforts
- RecognitionLaw360 Declares Smith Anderson a ‘Regional Powerhouse’
- RecognitionSmith Anderson Maintains "Best Places to Work" Title for Fifth Year In a Row