Jerry T. Myers, John W. Narron, Rose H. Stout, and Bettie Kelley Sousa, Partners of Smith Debnam have been selected as 2012 North Carolina Super Lawyers®. Super Lawyers recognizes outstanding lawyers from more than 70 practice areas who have attained a high degree of peer recognition and professional achievement. Selections are made on an annual, state-by-state basis and selection is based on a rigorous process that includes peer nominations, independent research, and review by peer attorneys in the same practice area. Only 5% of a state’s licensed attorneys are named Super Lawyers.
Recognized as a Super Lawyer in Bankruptcy & Creditor/Debtor Rights, Mr. Myers is Smith Debnam's Managing Partner. He concentrates his practice in creditors' rights with an emphasis on debt collection, judgment enforcement, and commercial litigation. Jerry has served as President of the Commercial Law League of America, the nation's preeminent organization of creditors' rights professionals, and is certified in the field of Creditors' Rights Law by The American Board of Certification. Having practiced in the creditors' rights field for more than 20 years, he has written and lectured extensively on debt collection and judgment enforcement. Jerry was also instrumental in forming the North Carolina Creditors Bar Association, a specialty bar whose members are committed to advocating for the rights of those who make credit available, as well as to educating the general public on managing credit effectively. He currently serves as the organization's President.
Mr. Narron has been practicing law in North Carolina since 1977 and has been a partner with Smith Debnam since 1987. John's practice consists of litigation, arbitration, mediation and business transactions. For 34 years, John has provided advice and litigation services to clients in central and eastern North Carolina in all manner of civil disputes frequently involving equitable distribution proceedings, alimony trials, will caveats, employment disputes, personal injury trials and negotiations, and a wide variety of commercial business disputes. John was recognized as a Super Lawyer in Family Law.
Rose Stout, also selected as a Super Lawyer in Family Law, has been practicing since 1985and with Smith Debnam since 1989. Ms. Stout represents clients in all aspects of domestic law, including divorce, custody, equitable distribution, child support and alimony. She has been a North Carolina State Bar Board Family Law Specialist since 1991. She has extensive trial experience at the district court level and has spoken at family law seminars on various family law issues. Rose is a mediator and arbitrator and has acted in both capacities in family law matters.
Ms. Sousa is a Super Lawyer in Business Litigation. Bettie has been with Smith Debnam since 1981 and has a wealth of experience in state and federal courts, including bankruptcy courts, at both trial and appellate levels. She represents mostly businesses and business owners in a variety of matters, including contract drafting and disputes, business break-ups, and employment issues. Bettie has been certified as a Creditors' Rights Specialist by The American Board of Certification (ABC) since 1993 and currently serves as Chair of the ABC. She also serves on the Board of Directors for the Wake County Bar Association and Tenth Judicial Bar, and was recently recognized as a Woman Extraordinaire by Business Leader magazine.
For more information about Smith Debnam, please visit www.smithdebnamlaw.com or the International Society of Primerus Law Firms.
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