Celebrating a Renaissance Lawyer: NCBA Honors Kirk Warner with Prestigious H. Brent McKnight Award

Smith Anderson partner Kirk Warner received the prestigious 2025 H. Brent McKnight Renaissance Lawyer Award from the North Carolina Bar Association (NCBA) at its Annual Meeting in Asheville. One of the NCBA’s highest honors, the award recognizes attorneys whose lives and careers reflect the ideals of professionalism, intellectual achievement, personal integrity and selfless service—both within the legal profession and in the broader community.

A distinguished lead trial lawyer, decorated U.S. Army Colonel (Ret.) and war commander, award-winning author, and esteemed leader, Kirk is a true renaissance man. His career reflects the highest ideals of public service and professional excellence, marked by selfless contributions that span legal, military and civic organizations.

Among his leadership roles, Kirk is a Fellow of the American College of Trial Lawyers and the longest-serving Commissioner on the North Carolina Military Affairs Commission. He is an honorary member of the Chief Justice’s Commission on Professionalism and a Commissioner on the North Carolina Equal Access to Justice Commission. Kirk has served on the NCBA’s Board of Governors, its Executive Committee and founded the NCBA’s Military & Veterans Law Section. He is also vice-chair of the NC State Bar’s LAMP Committee and the president of the Eastern North Carolina Chapter of the American Board of Trial Advocates. He has devoted decades of service as vice chair and chair on the boards of both the USO of North Carolina and the North Carolina March of Dimes. A devoted advocate for veterans, Kirk has played a leading role in the development of Veterans Treatment Courts in North Carolina and chairs the board of the Veterans Life Center of North Carolina.

Named in his honor, the NCBA created the Kirk Warner Award for Distinguished Service to the Military and Veterans to recognize outstanding commitment to those who serve or have served in the U.S. Armed Forces.

At Smith Anderson, Kirk co-leads several of Smith Anderson’s key litigation practices, including Product Liability, Mass Tort and Catastrophic Loss, and Pharmaceutical and Medical Device Litigation. He has served as national, regional and state lead counsel to Fortune 500 companies and has tried complex, high-exposure cases across the country.

Kirk’s contributions extend well beyond the courtroom. He served as a Senior Army Judge Advocate, providing legal counsel to multiple Chairmen of the Joint Chiefs of Staff at the Pentagon and major Commands. He has led investigations and tiger teams for the Department of Defense and large corporations.  He was featured on CNN’s Lou Dobb’s Tonight "Heroes" series and has published two award-winning books: Zone of Action: A JAG’s Journey Inside Operations Cobra II and Iraqi Freedom and A Hoot in Hell’s Island: The Heroic Story of World War II Dive Bomber Lt. Cmdr. Robert D. "Hoot" Gibson.

"Kirk is the consummate citizen-soldier-lawyer," said Smith Anderson attorney Colonel David Hayden (Ret.), who co-nominated Kirk for the award. "His leadership, professionalism and character on the battlefield, in the courtroom and in the community make him uniquely worthy of this honor."

Smith Anderson partner Jim Dorsett echoed that sentiment: "Kirk’s dedication to the law is matched only by his service to others. Whether mentoring young lawyers, leading in nonprofit settings or advocating for veterans, he brings integrity, humility and excellence to every role he holds."

This recognition honors not only Kirk’s exceptional legal career and military service, but also the lasting impact of his mentorship, advocacy and character. He exemplifies the values that define the legal profession, and Smith Anderson is honored to celebrate this well-deserved recognition alongside him.