10 Smith Anderson Attorneys Elected Partner and Counsel

Smith Anderson, the largest law firm headquartered in the Research Triangle region, announces the election of eight attorneys to Partner and two to Counsel, effective January 1, 2027.

Michael Anderson, Amy Crout, Hope Garber, Dawson Kirkland, Francisco Morales, Brett Neve, David Pasley, and Liza Nye Thompson have been elected to Partner, while John Gibson and Melissa Schluter have been promoted to Counsel. The promotions span several of the firm's key growth practice areas, including litigation, corporate and M&A, banking and finance, real estate development, and health care.

New Partners 

Michael Anderson joined Smith Anderson in 2025 following an extensive career with the U.S. Department of Justice, most recently serving as Chief of the Civil Division for the U.S. Attorney's Office for the Eastern District of North Carolina. A member of the firm's Business Litigation practice and co-leader of its Investigations practice, he represents clients in complex civil litigation, government investigations, and enforcement matters. His experience includes federal trial and appellate litigation involving heavily regulated industries.

Amy Crout joined Smith Anderson in 2022 and is a member of the firm's Real Estate Development team, focusing on land use and zoning, condemnation, and commercial real estate matters. She serves on the firm's Associate and Community Fund Committees. Active in the community, Amy is Vice President of the Board of Directors for Read & Feed. She has been recognized in Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch® in America and as a North Carolina Super Lawyers Rising Star.

Hope Garber joined Smith Anderson in 2022 and practices in the firm's Business Litigation, Construction Litigation, and Employment, Non-Compete, and Trade Secrets groups. She represents clients in business and intellectual property disputes, including complex commercial litigation matters. Hope serves on the firm's Recruiting Committee and has been recognized in Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch® in America for Commercial Litigation.

Dawson Kirkland joined Smith Anderson in 2021 from Kirkland & Ellis in New York. A member of the firm's Corporate and Transactional practice, she advises clients on mergers and acquisitions and other corporate matters. She also serves on the firm's Recruiting Committee. Outside the firm, Dawson serves as Vice President and President-Elect of FoodRunners Collaborative and was selected for the Raleigh Chamber's Leadership Raleigh Class 53.

Francisco Morales joined Smith Anderson in 2024 after serving as Chief Legal Officer of ALG Senior, a professional services company dedicated to supporting a network of senior housing and long-term care operators across the United States. A member of the firm's Health Care practice, he advises long-term care and post-acute care providers on regulatory, transactional, and operational matters. His experience includes acquisitions, financing, development, and other transactions involving long-term care assets exceeding $1 billion in aggregate value. Francisco serves on the Wake Forest University School of Law Board of Visitors and is a former chair of the Salem Montessori School Board of Directors.

Brett Neve joined Smith Anderson in 2024 from Latham & Watkins. A member of the firm's Banking and Finance practice, he advises companies, lenders, creditors, investors, and other stakeholders on restructuring, bankruptcy, insolvency, and complex financing matters. His experience includes in- and out-of-court restructurings, distressed mergers and acquisitions, recapitalizations, and other transactions involving financial distress.

David Pasley began his career at Smith Anderson in 2018 and is a member of the firm's Business Litigation and Employment, Non-Compete, and Trade Secrets practices. He represents clients in commercial disputes and employment-related litigation. David serves on the firm's Recruiting Committee and has been recognized in Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch® in America for Commercial Litigation.

Elizabeth (Liza) Nye Thompson joined Smith Anderson in 2022 and is a member of the firm's Banking and Finance practice, focusing on commercial lending, real estate finance, corporate finance, and venture debt transactions. She is a graduate of the Raleigh Chamber's Leadership Raleigh program and serves as President of the Board of Directors for Community Music School. Liza has been recognized in Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch® in America and as a North Carolina Super Lawyers Rising Star. 

New Counsel 

John Gibson joined Smith Anderson in 2022 and practices in the firm's Health Care and Corporate and M&A groups. He advises health care providers and other industry stakeholders on federal and state regulatory matters, commercial transactions, and corporate issues. John serves on the Board of Directors for Transitions LifeCare, where he chairs the Strategic Planning Committee, and has been appointed to the North Carolina Bar Association's Health Law Section Council. He has been recognized in Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch® in America for Health Care Law and Administrative/Regulatory Law.

Melissa Schluter joined Smith Anderson in 2022 from the global law firm Bryan Cave Leighton Paisner. A member of the firm's Real Estate practice, she represents developers and other clients in a broad range of commercial real estate transactions. Her practice encompasses all phases of real estate ownership, from acquisition and development through ongoing operations and disposition. She works with clients to navigate complex transactional matters and address legal and business considerations throughout the life cycle of their real estate investments. Melissa has been recognized in Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch® in America.