Byron Kirkland, Chris Kiger and Martin Brinkley Among North Carolina’s Most Influential Leaders

Business North Carolina magazine has included Byron Kirkland, Chris Kiger and Martin Brinkley on its 2024 Power List, an annual report highlighting the state's most influential leaders.

The Power List showcases 500 individuals known for their influence in their communities and respective industries such as law, transportation, finance, retail, real estate and health care. BNC compiled the list through talking with sources, nominations, extensive research and years of covering the state's business landscape.

This is Byron’s fourth consecutive appearance on the Power List. He has served as managing partner at Smith Anderson since 2020, and his 35 years practicing law includes advising on mergers and acquisitions, private equity transactions and general securities and corporate law matters. Byron has also served as chair of the board of directors for the United Way of the Greater Triangle, as a director of the North Carolina Technology Association (NC TECH) and as a member and past chair of the board of directors for The Miracle League of the Triangle. His recognitions include Chambers USA: Corporate/M&A; Best Lawyers in America® in Corporate, Mergers & Acquisitions, Securities/Capital Markets, Venture Capital, Leveraged Buyouts & Private Equity, and Private Funds/Hedge Fund Law; North Carolina Super Lawyers; Business North Carolina Legal Elite and North Carolina Lawyers Weekly Managing Partners to Watch Power List.

As president of the North Carolina Association of Defense Attorneys, Chris leads an organization of 1,000 defense lawyers and paralegals. He has been a trial lawyer and litigator for nearly 20 years and focuses his practice on product liability, environmental and toxic tort and business disputes in matters often involving catastrophic injury, wrongful death or property damage. Chris has also tried many cases to jury verdict and has represented companies in North Carolina and around the country in his role as national trial counsel. His recognitions include Best Lawyers in America® in Product Liability Litigation-Defendants and Commercial Litigation; North Carolina Super Lawyers; Business North Carolina Legal Elite; and North Carolina Lawyers Weekly Power List in Business Defense.

Martin has served as the dean of the University of North Carolina School of Law since 2015. During his tenure as dean, Martin oversaw the completion of a $78 million capital campaign for the law school in 2022. He remains Of Counsel at Smith Anderson, where he has practiced in the areas of corporate law, mergers and acquisitions, antitrust, insurance and regulatory matters, public finance and nonprofit organizations. A former president of the North Carolina Bar Association, Martin’s private practice recognitions include Chambers USA: Corporate/M&A; Best Lawyers in America® in Corporate, Mergers & Acquisitions, and Business Organizations (including LLCs and Partnerships) Law, and Lawyer of the Year; and Business North Carolina Legal Elite.

The entire BNC Power List can be viewed here.