Smith Anderson Admits Seven New Partners to Its Partnership

(Raleigh, N.C.) Smith Anderson, the largest law firm headquartered in the Research Triangle region, announced today it welcomed attorneys Andrew Atkins, Kara Brunk, Phil Cardinale, Charles Kabugo-Musoke, Megan Lambert, Davis Roach and Heath Tripp to the firm’s partnership, effective January 1, 2021.

Andrew Atkins has been with the firm for seven years and works with the Construction and Commercial Litigation practice groups where he represents owners, contractors and developers in multi-party disputes involving public and private commercial projects. Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch named Andrew as a leader in the area of Real Estate Litigation, an honor reserved for lawyers who have been in practice for fewer than 10 years. He has represented clients in multi-million dollar claims related to the construction of state-owned psychiatric hospitals, a light rail system and public highways. Prior to joining the firm, Andrew practiced at the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency, United States Department of the Treasury and received his J.D. from the University of North Carolina School of Law.

Kara Brunk focuses her practice on employee benefits and executive compensation, where she represents public, private, governmental and non-profit employers in designing and documenting retirement plans, welfare benefit plans, fringe benefit plans and executive compensation plans. Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch considers Kara an extraordinary lawyer for her work in Employee Benefits (ERISA) Law. Kara has been with the firm for four years and was an associate at a regional law firm previously. Kara received her law degree from the University of North Carolina School of Law.

Phil Cardinale is a member of the Technology and Intellectual Property practice group at Smith Anderson. His practice involves advising technology-centric companies on the management, development, commercialization and protection of their intellectual property and technology assets. He helps clients with intellectual property rights acquisition, litigation and counseling in matters focusing on trademark, trade dress, copyright, privacy/publicity rights, e-commerce, social media and design law, as well as licenses and other transactions involving these rights. Prior to joining Smith Anderson in early 2019, Phil practiced with an international law firm in Washington D.C. He has a J.D. from George Washington University and also has a Ph.D from the University of Oxford, England.

Recognized in Banking and Finance Law and Mergers and Acquisitions Law by Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch, Charles Kabugo-Musoke focuses his practice on corporate and syndicated finance, mezzanine finance, venture debt and technology finance, banking and regulatory matters, mergers and acquisitions and complex commercial transactions. He has represented banks and other financial institutions before the Federal Reserve, FDIC, N.C. Office of the Commissioner of Banks and other regulatory agencies. Charles joined the firm in 2012 shortly after receiving his law degree from the University of North Carolina School of Law.

Megan Lambert concentrates her practice in the Life Sciences and AgTech industries and advises companies on developing and commercializing their intellectual property assets. She has represented clients on multi-million dollar strategic transactions, including domestic and international corporate partnering, patent and technology licensing, research and development collaborations, clinical trials, manufacturing and supply chain arrangements and other commercial transactions. Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch considers Megan an extraordinary lawyer in the area of Technology Law. Megan has been with Smith Anderson for four years and previously practiced with an international law firm. She earned her law degree from the University of North Carolina School of Law.

Davis Roach centers his practice on corporate and commercial transactions, mergers and acquisitions and real estate development. He counsels clients on buying and selling companies of all sizes, and buying, selling, leasing, developing and financing real estate. Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch recognized Davis in Construction Law for his notable work in that area. Davis earned his law degree from Wake Forest University School of Law and joined Smith Anderson in 2012.

Heath Tripp is a member of the firm’s Corporate and Private Equity practice groups and represents private and public companies on organizational matters, strategic acquisitions and divestitures and commercial contracting matters. Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch named Heath as a leader in the area of Mergers and Acquisitions Law. A graduate of Wake Forest University School of Law, Heath joined the firm in 2012 after previously having worked in the corporate banking group of an international financial institution.

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