Alison Smith, NCAJ NEXT Leadership Program

Alison Smith is one of the 11 members of the NCAJ NEXT Leadership Program class of 2025. The program identifies the state’s emerging trial lawyer leaders.

Lives in: Raleigh

Law degree from: Campbell University School of Law

Works as: Attorney at Edwards Beightol

Why do you want to participate in the NCAJ NEXT Program? I want to foster connections with other young trial attorneys and learn how to become an effective leader within my legal community.

In what ways are you involved in NCAJ or other legal organizations? I am the 2024-2-25 New Lawyes Division Law School Outreach Co-chair, and I am a member of the NLD, Women’s Caucus, Civil Rights section, and Professional Negligence section. I am also a member of the NC State Bar, 10th Judicial District Bar, Wake County Bar Association, and National Asian Pacific American Bar Association.

How and or why is the idea of civil or criminal justice important to you? Civil justice is important to me because it fills in the gaps left behind by the criminal justice system. The criminal justice system is not designed to compensate victims, nor is it designed to hold defendants directly accountable to their victims. The civil justice system, however, is. Further, it allows anyone – regardless of health or wealth – to challenge even the largest companies that, otherwise, would be untouchable and unaccountable.

Where do you see NCAJ as an organization in five to 10 years? Within the next five to 10 years, I see the NCAJ as a household name among not only trial lawyers and legal assistants but also law students interested in trial work. I did not know about NCAJ while I was in law school, but I wish I had. To that end, I am serving as 2024-2025 NLD Law School Student Outreach Co-chair.

Through my participation in NCAJ’s NEXT Leadership Program, I hope to… create lasting connections with other young trial lawyers in my state and to develop strong leadership skills that will allow me to better serve my community.

Outside of work … I enjoy riding dirt bikes with my husband, playing video games with my older son, taking my toddler for stroller walks, and cuddling with my two cats. I am also an avid fan of “Lord of the Rings” and all things sour green apple.