IFLR1000 Recognizes Smith Anderson’s M&A and Finance Practices and Six Firm Leaders in 2025 Rankings

Smith Anderson’s Mergers & Acquisitions and Banking & Finance practices have once again been recognized in the North Carolina chapter of IFLR1000: The Guide to the World’s Leading Financial and Corporate Law Firms. The 2025 edition also acknowledges six of the firm’s attorneys for their individual excellence in financial and corporate law.

Managing Partner Byron Kirkland, Firm Chair Gerald Roach, Life Sciences practice group co-lead Christopher Capel and Mergers & Acquisitions practice group co-leader Robert Duggins were each recognized as Highly Regarded Practitioners, and Public Companies practice group co-leader Heyward Armstrong was recognized as a Notable Practitioner.

Additionally, Start-Ups practice group leader Joshua Diver was newly recognized as a Notable Practitioner in this year’s rankings. Josh advises founders, early-stage and high-growth companies, as well as venture capital and private equity investors, on M&A, venture capital and securities matters. He provides practical, market-informed counsel that helps clients navigate complex deals, execute growth strategies and manage governance issues across a broad range of industries.

IFLR1000 remains the only international legal market research brand focused exclusively on ranking law firms and lawyers based on financial and corporate transactional work. Rankings are determined by transactional evidence, peer feedback and client feedback, reflecting firms’ and individuals’ long-term excellence in the market.

IFLR1000 is the guide to the world's leading financial and corporate law firms and lawyers. The first rankings were published in 1990 and the guide currently ranks close to 5000 law firms and more than 21,000 lawyers across 12 practice areas and 250 jurisdictions. The IFLR1000 rankings are a reflection of a firm’s long-term track record in the market. For more information, visit www.iflr1000.com.