Smith Anderson Welcomes 10 Attorneys to the Firm in Q3

Smith Anderson, the largest law firm in the Research Triangle region of North Carolina, announced that it hired 10 attorneys during the third quarter of 2021.

“Smith Anderson is thrilled to welcome such a talented and diverse group of attorneys,” said Byron Kirkland, Managing Partner of Smith Anderson. “Despite the challenges the past 18 months have brought, the firm has been on an exciting upward trajectory in terms of hiring attorneys and staff. We are fortunate to celebrate our 110^th anniversary next year and look forward to an outstanding 2022 serving our clients with such a great group of people.”

Lindsay Avagliano advises start-ups and venture capital investors on a wide variety of legal matters including financings, M&A, corporate formation, compliance and corporate governance. Prior to joining Smith Anderson, Lindsay worked for international and national law firms and was a principal at a venture capital firm focused on investing in health and wellness start-ups. Previously, she was director at an economic development-focused venture capital fund backed by the State of New York.

Jonathan Bass works with Smith Anderson’s Corporate group assisting clients with M&A transactions and advising start-ups and venture capital investors. Jonathan received his J.D. from Duke University, where he also received a Master of Laws in Law and Entrepreneurship. Prior to joining Smith Anderson, Jonathan was a consultant at FiscalNote, a software, data and media company in Washington, D.C.

Andrew Benton works in the firm’s Corporate group and advises a wide range of business clients. He obtained his J.D. from the University of North Carolina School of Law. Andrew is also a Certified Information Privacy Professional/United States (CIPP/US).

Lauren Davis is a member of the firm’s Banking and Finance group and focuses her practice in the areas of commercial lending, corporate finance, private equity, mezzanine financing and commercial real estate finance transactions. Lauren received her J.D. from the University of North Carolina School of Law.

T.G. Falcon advises clients on intellectual property matters and tech-related issues such as development, licensing, marketing, acquisitions and use of assets. Prior to joining Smith Anderson, Falcon served as associate corporate counsel for Amazon. T.G. also practiced at the Silicon Valley headquarters of an international law firm, where he advised start-ups and newly public companies on fundraising, transactions and corporate governance issues.

Eric Fisher works with Smith Anderson’s Corporate group where he advises a broad range of clients on a variety of corporate matters and transactions. Eric received his J.D. from the University of North Carolina School of Law. He most recently served as a clerk for the Hon. Loretta C. Biggs, United States District Court Judge for the Middle District of North Carolina. Prior to joining Smith Anderson, Eric worked for over a decade in multiple roles with a charter school network in New Jersey.

Dawson Kirkland works with Smith Anderson’s Corporate group, where she advises private equity funds and a broad range of private and public businesses on mergers and acquisitions and financial transactions. Prior to joining Smith Anderson, Dawson practiced corporate law in the New York City office of a global law firm.

Deborah McDermott is a member of Smith Anderson’s Trusts and Estates practice and advises clients on estate planning, estate administration and other trusts and estates matters. As a North Carolina Board Certified Specialist in Estate Planning and Probate Law and a Certified Financial Planner, Deborah has extensive experience advising high net worth individuals on matters including wealth transfer, asset protection and charitable planning.

Mark Rothrock practices general business litigation and advises clients in complex business disputes across multiple sectors, including the construction industry. Prior to joining Smith Anderson, Mark served as a clerk for the Hon. James C. Dever III for the Eastern District of North Carolina.

James Todd has joined Smith Anderson’s Real Estate Development group. He is an experienced commercial real estate and land use and zoning attorney who advises contract-purchasers seeking guidance on entitlements for mixed-use developments, shopping center owners and landowners seeking to acquire or convey real estate holdings.