Smith Anderson Earns "Highly Recommended" Ranking and Top Honors in Benchmark Litigation’s 2025 Edition

Benchmark Litigation, widely regarded as “the definitive guide to America’s leading litigation firms and lawyers,” has once again honored Smith Anderson, recognizing 12 of its attorneys as North Carolina “Litigation Stars” in the 2025 edition. The firm was also awarded the prestigious “Highly Recommended” ranking for North Carolina, the highest possible accolade.

Notably, Kerry Shad continues to stand out, gaining national recognition being named in the Top 50 Labor & Employment Litigators list, right on the heels of her recognition in Benchmark’s Top 250 Women (South) list earlier this year.

This year, Smith Anderson also celebrated being named Benchmark’s “North Carolina Firm of the Year” for the fifth consecutive year, further solidifying its reputation for having trial-tested lawyers who combine exceptional courtroom experience with practical business judgment.

Below is the full list of recognized lawyers:

Top 50 Labor & Employment Litigators United States

• Kerry Shad

North Carolina “Litigation Stars”

• Mitch Armbruster
• Cliff Brinson
• John Madden
• Scott Miskimon
• Michael Mitchell
• Jackson Moore
• Carl Patterson, Jr.
• Addie Ries
• Kerry Shad
• Christopher Smith
• Donald Tucker, Jr.
• Kirk Warner

North Carolina “Future Star”

• Isaac Linnartz

Benchmark Litigation focuses exclusively on U.S. litigation. The publication’s results stem from the culmination of a six-month research period where its researchers conduct extensive interviews with litigators and their clients to identify the leading litigators and firms. During these interviews, researchers examine recent casework handled by law firms and ask individual litigators to offer their professional opinions on peers. Law firms cannot pay to be recommended for the guide. Recommendations are based on interviews with private practice lawyers and in-house counsel. For more information, visit https://www.benchmarklitigation.com.