Smith Anderson Elevates Three Exceptional Attorneys to Partnership

Smith Anderson is pleased to announce that Blake Simpson Fricks, Ed Roche and Lee Strasburger have become partners, continuing the firm’s 111-year tradition of recognizing and cultivating top-tier legal talent.

Blake serves dual roles at Smith Anderson – a practicing corporate and IP attorney and the firm’s Chief Talent Officer in charge of recruiting and professional development of lawyers. While maintaining a trademark practice with a focus on trademark portfolio creation, maintenance, protection and strategy, Blake routinely collaborates with the firm’s managing partner, administrative leadership and Lawyer Development Committee in her CTO role to drive and maintain professional and business development programming and initiatives for lawyers. She is recognized by Best Lawyers® in Litigation – Intellectual Property. Blake obtained her J.D. from the University of North Carolina School of Law.

Ed is a commercial litigator helping businesses navigate complex disputes at the administrative, trial and appellate levels, in state and federal courts across the country. He handles a wide range of business disputes, including employment and intellectual property cases, claims for breach of contract, unfair trade practices, breach of fiduciary duty and violations of securities laws, as well as government investigations and responses to subpoenas. Ed is recognized by Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch® in America for Commercial Litigation; Litigation – Intellectual Property and Litigation – Labor and Employment. He earned his J.D. from the University of North Carolina School of Law.

Lee practices with Smith Anderson’s Technology team, representing Life Sciences and AgTech clients in complex, mission-critical transactions. A registered patent attorney, Lee advises on structuring and negotiating business arrangements related to the discovery, development, supply and commercialization of agricultural biotechnology, pharmaceuticals, diagnostics and medical devices. He earned his J.D. from Emory University School of Law.