Five More Attorneys Added to Smith Anderson Roster

Smith Anderson announces the addition of five attorneys, Gabriela “Gabbie” Chartier, Daniel Harrell, Alec Roberson, Andrea Short and Kathryn “Kate” Spangler, further strengthening the firm’s Business Litigation, Data Privacy and Security, Health Care, Real Estate Development and Private Client practices. Their diverse experience spans national and international law firms, in-house legal departments, state and federal courts and the financial services industry.

Gabriela “Gabbie” Chartier joins Smith Anderson’s Business Litigation team, assisting clients with complex commercial disputes and white-collar investigations. Previously with an international law firm in Washington, D.C., she has conducted internal investigations, represented clients in government enforcement actions and handled False Claims Act litigation. Gabbie’s experience also includes commercial and government contract disputes and direct engagement with federal agencies and the Department of Justice. Gabby graduated cum laude from Georgetown University Law Center, where she served as Senior Symposium & Development Editor of the Georgetown Law Journal.

Daniel Harrell joins the Business Litigation team, concentrating on business litigation and data privacy matters. His background spans both private and public sectors, including litigation in state and federal courts. Daniel’s data privacy experience includes U.S. and international regulations and policy drafting. Daniel graduated cum laude from Washington University School of Law, where he served as Articles Editor for the Washington University Law Review and completed a legal externship with the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs.

Alec Roberson joins the firm’s Private Client, Tax and Trusts & Estates practices, bringing a thoughtful, client-focused approach to estate and trust matters. He advises on the creation, review and modification of wills, trusts and other estate planning instruments, estate tax planning and estate and trust administration. Alec's background includes work in both law firms and national bank compliance settings, guiding clients through complex estate and trust-related matters, as well as analyzing a variety of regulatory issues. Alex earned his J.D. from Wake Forest University School of Law.

Andrea Short is a University of North Carolina School of Law graduate and returns to Smith Anderson, where she began her legal career, after nearly 15 years in in-house counsel roles at a global medical technology company, an international professional membership organization and a healthcare consulting firm. She advises on corporate and commercial matters, with a focus on data privacy, healthcare compliance and commercial contract negotiations. A Certified Information Privacy Professional/Europe (CIPP/E), Andrea helps companies with privacy program and policy development, compliance, contract matters and data breach response. Her experience includes leading legal teams and counseling executives on privacy, healthcare compliance, commercial contracts, antitrust compliance and FDA advertising regulations.

Kathryn “Kate” Spangler works with the Real Estate Development team, focusing on construction and business litigation. A former law clerk for Judge Tobias Hampson of the North Carolina Court of Appeals, Kate advises on multi-party disputes involving public and private commercial projects as well as other real estate, commercial, contract and business-related matters. Kate counsels business owners, contractors, developers and design professionals through all phases of the construction process, from contract drafting to risk management. She earned her law degree at Vanderbilt University Law School.

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