NCBA Honors Mike Mitchell with Prestigious Citizen Lawyer Award

Smith Anderson partner Mike Mitchell has been selected to receive the North Carolina Bar Association's Citizen Lawyer Award, one of the most meaningful honors in North Carolina’s legal community, recognizing attorneys who, in addition to their legal work, demonstrate an exceptional commitment to public service and community leadership.

Mike was honored for his active leadership in the NCBA and the broader legal community throughout his career, his work strengthening North Carolina's courts, and his commitment to supporting veterans, advancing education and promoting economic opportunity across the state. Mike becomes the second Smith Anderson attorney in recent years to receive this distinction, following colleague Jim Dorsett's recognition in 2021.

Mike has been appointed to several key roles supporting the administration of justice in North Carolina. He has served on the Chief Justice’s Rules Advisory Commission, having been appointed by Chief Justices Mark Martin, Cheri Beasley, and Paul Newby, and on the Civil Local Rules Committee for the Eastern District of North Carolina. He also provides pro bono appellate representation on behalf of Guardians ad Litem and has served on the Commission for the Administration of Law and Justice. Mike’s appointment by the Governor to the North Carolina General Statutes Commission further reflects the trust placed in his judgment and his role in helping modernize and clarify North Carolina law.

Beyond the courtroom, Mike's service reflects a deep commitment to strengthening communities across the state. As vice chair of the Veterans Life Center of North Carolina Board of Directors, he helps lead an organization that supports veterans as they reintegrate and rebuild their lives. His service on the board of directors with Wake County Economic Development and the North Carolina Business Committee for Education demonstrates his investment in long-term economic vitality and workforce development, and his engagement on the Board of Visitors with Wake Forest University School of Law reflects a personal commitment to mentoring and shaping the next generation of legal professionals.

"This is a fitting honor for Mike, whose service reaches well beyond his litigation practice," said Smith Anderson Managing Partner Byron Kirkland. "His commitment to public service is distinguished not only by its breadth, but by its sustained, meaningful, and statewide impact in strengthening the institutions, communities, and people he serves."

Through his leadership, volunteerism and pro bono work, he has helped strengthen the rule of law, support vulnerable communities and advance initiatives that benefit North Carolina for generations to come.