Byron Kirkland Earns ‘Managing Partner to Watch' Honor Again from North Carolina Lawyers Weekly

North Carolina Lawyers Weekly has named Byron Kirkland a “Managing Partner to Watch” for the second consecutive year.

"At Smith Anderson, people—both clients and colleagues—come first, and that is the key to Byron Kirkland’s success as a practicing attorney and as the firm’s managing partner," NCLW writes. "Just four years after being elected managing partner, he has led the firm to robust revenue growth, fostered a culture of work-life balance and implemented a five-year strategic plan that strengthens client service, boosts team cohesiveness, builds efficiency and provides first-class professional development opportunities for attorneys."

Byron, who also serves on Smith Anderson's Management Committee, is a corporate lawyer of over 35 years specializing in private equity transactions, mergers and acquisitions, and general corporate and securities law matters. His clients include both emerging and established companies across a span of industries. Byron regularly advises clients with regard to general business, capital-raising financing and corporate law matters and maintains an active venture capital and private equity fund practice, representing venture capital and private equity funds. He assists funds with their portfolio company investments, mergers and acquisitions and fund formation matters.

Byron’s leadership and legal talent have earned him significant recognition. Chambers USA has recognized him in Corporate/M&A law (2004-2024), and he has been named to The Best Lawyers in America® list for multiple practice areas, including:

• Corporate Law (2007–2025)
• Mergers & Acquisitions Law (2007–2025)
• Securities/Capital Markets Law (2007–2025)
• Venture Capital Law (2007–2025)
• Leveraged Buyouts & Private Equity Law (2022–2025)
• Private Funds/Hedge Funds Law (2024–2025)

Byron has also been honored with the "Lawyer of the Year" title multiple times by Best Lawyers®:

• Leveraged Buyouts & Private Equity Law: 2023 and 2025 in Raleigh
• Corporate Law: 2022 in Raleigh
• Mergers & Acquisitions Law: 2013 and 2018 in Raleigh
• Securities/Capital Markets Law: 2011 and 2016 in Raleigh

Business North Carolina has honored Byron with a spot on its list of the state’s “Legal Elite” and named him to its annual Power List for the past four years.

Beyond his technical talents, Byron is recognized for his approachable leadership style. As NCLW notes: “He is known for his welcoming presence and is quick with enthusiastic greetings … and his door is always open.”

The full NCLW story can be viewed here.