Smith Anderson Presents Humanity in the Workplace Award and Celebrates 20 Years of Giving Back  

Smith Anderson recognized Chief Administrative Officer Lorie Beam for her extraordinary contributions to the firm’s culture and celebrated the impact of the Smith Anderson Community Fund, the firm’s charitable giving program administered by the Triangle Community Foundation, during the Fund’s 20th anniversary year.

The Santo J. Costa Humanity in the Workplace Award was established in honor of Sandy Costa, a longtime Smith Anderson attorney and respected leader whose legacy of leadership, character and compassion continues to shape the firm. The inaugural award was presented to Sandy in recognition of those contributions. A nationally recognized speaker on leadership and industry policy issues, Sandy is the author of Humanity at Work—Encouraging Spirit, Achievement and Truth to Flourish in the Workplace, a collection of letters exploring humanity, integrity and leadership in the workplace. The award is intentionally selective and is not presented every year, reserved for individuals who have made exceptional contributions to the firm’s culture.

This year, the firm presented the award in recognition of Lorie’s 25 years of service and lasting impact on Smith Anderson’s people and operations. Nominated by multiple colleagues across the firm, she was recognized for her empathetic leadership, mentorship and unwavering commitment to excellence. From leading the firm’s IT function to overseeing firmwide operations, she has consistently fostered an environment where colleagues feel supported, valued and empowered.

Lorie also played a central role in leading the firm’s recently completed office expansion and renovation at 150 Fayetteville, a multi-year project that reflects Smith Anderson’s long-term investment in its people and in downtown Raleigh. Under her leadership, the project was completed on time and on budget, resulting in a modern, collaborative workspace designed to support continued growth.

Smith Anderson’s people-first approach is also reflected in its workplace recognition. For six consecutive years, the firm has been named a Best Place to Work by the Triangle Business Journal and was selected as the No. 1 Best Place to Work among large employers in 2025. “That recognition gives us the confidence to continue investing in our people,” Managing Partner Byron Kirkland said. “This is not just an investment in space or facilities. It is unequivocally an investment in our people.”

In honor of Lorie’s recognition, the firm made a special contribution to the Smith Anderson Community Fund. The Fund’s 20th anniversary campaign raised more than $120,000 in a single year, driven solely by the collective generosity of Smith Anderson colleagues and alumni. Over the past two decades, the Fund has supported more than 70 local nonprofit organizations, including Legal Aid of North Carolina, Neighbor to Neighbor and the Food Bank of Central and Eastern North Carolina, reinforcing the firm’s longstanding commitment to community organizations addressing fundamental needs.