Taylor M. Dewberry

Taylor Dewberry is Smith Anderson’s Chief Diversity Officer and an attorney in the firm's Employment, Labor and Human Resources practice group. Her law practice focuses on employment-related counseling and defending employers against claims involving discrimination, wrongful discharge, retaliation, harassment and civil rights claims. She has represented clients in state and federal courts and agencies throughout North Carolina. As Chief Diversity Officer, Taylor works closely with the firm’s Management and D&I Committee in creating and implementing D&I programs and policies to recruit and retain diverse talent, support professional development and foster an inclusive workplace culture.

Taylor continuously seeks innovative ways to advance Smith Anderson’s D&I mission, with her vision rooted in the belief that every individual should feel included and free to be their authentic selves. Her strategic approach to advancing D&I is not only about promoting a culture of belonging within Smith Anderson, but also about influencing the broader legal profession and the overall community. Triangle Business Journal named Taylor a 2024 Leader in Diversity and North Carolina Lawyers Weekly and the Mecklenburg Times recognized Taylor as one of North Carolina’s 50 Most Influential Women in 2024 for her leadership, business acumen, mentoring and community involvement.

Recognition

• Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch^® in America, Labor and Employment Law – Management (2022-2025)
• Triangle Business Journal, Leaders in Diversity Award (2024)
• North Carolina Lawyers Weekly, North Carolina's 50 Most Influential Women (2024)
• The National Black Lawyers Top 100, Top 40 Under 40 (2020)
• Executive Notes Editor, Washington University Journal of Law and Policy

Clerkships

• Judicial Intern, Chief Justice Mark Martin, North Carolina Supreme Court
• Judicial Intern, Judge James A. Wynn Jr., United States Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit

Education

• Washington University School of Law, cum laude, J.D., 2017
• Stanford University, B.A., with honors, American Studies with a minor in African-American Studies, 2014

Bar & Court Admissions

• American Bar Association
  • District 9 Representative, Young Lawyers Division
• North Carolina Bar Association
  • Board of Governors (2024-present)
  • Co-Chair, Young Lawyers Division, Diversity and Inclusion Committee (2018-2022)
  • Co-Chair, Young Lawyers Division, Disaster Legal Services Committee
• Wake County Bar Association
• Executive Board Member, Black Law Students Association

• Advised a Nasdaq-listed pharmaceutical development company in the acquisition of a specialty dermatology company for up to $51 million in up-front and contingent consideration.
• Advised a global contract research organization and drug development services company in a transaction to acquire a provider of mobile-connected self-service platform solutions for decentralized clinical trials that included cross-border employment issues for employees and contractors located in Europe and India.
• Advised a life sciences company on its acquisition of a clinical manufacturing facility for an undisclosed amount.
• Advised a specialty pharmaceutical company in its acquisition of a private pharmaceutical company focusing on pediatric medications.
• Advised a leading contract research organization on the employment law aspects of a definitive agreement to acquire a provider of contract research, clinical and regulatory and other consulting services.
• Defended employers against claims involving discrimination, wrongful discharge, retaliation, harassment, wage and hour, and civil rights claims.
• Represented clients in investigations conducted by the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission.
• Presented on workplace issues, such as recruiting, onboarding and sexual harassment law.
• Conducted an internal investigation into workplace harassment.