Smith Moore Leatherwood Names Julie Earp Management Committee Chair
May 12, 2014
GREENVILLE, SC – May 12, 2014 – Julie Theall Earp, a Smith Moore Leatherwood partner in the Greensboro, N.C. office and longstanding member of the firm’s Litigation Practice Group, was elected Chair of the firm’s Management Committee effective April 1, 2014. Ms. Earp is the first female Managing Partner of the firm. She succeeds Rob Marcus, who will resume his commercial litigation practice after serving as Managing Partner for the past four years.
“I am honored by this vote of confidence from my partners,” said Earp, who intends to continue the firm’s focus on meeting client needs in a changing market. “Smith Moore Leatherwood has long been a firm that places great importance on its clients’ successes. Knowing how our clients think and handling the challenges they face in a practical and efficient way is what makes both our clients and this firm successful.”
Though nationally it is rare for women to hold leadership positions at a law firm of its size, Smith Moore Leatherwood has a history of recognizing the contributions of all of its lawyers. Currently, six of the thirteen firm committees are led by women. Terri Harris joins Earp on the firm’s Management Committee, and Tami McKnew, who is resident in the firm’s Greenville, South Carolina office, served as Managing Partner of Leatherwood Walker Todd & Mann, P.C., from 1995 to 2001. Leatherwood Walker Todd & Mann, P.C. combined with Smith Moore LLP in 2008.
Earp has been with Smith Moore Leatherwood since graduating from the University of Georgia School of Law in 1986 and has served the firm in a number of capacities, including five years as the Labor and Employment Practice Area Leader and another five years as a member of the Management Committee. She has been recognized by her peers on multiple occasions as one of North Carolina Super Lawyers “Top 50 Women” and was voted Greensboro Best Lawyers Employment Law “Management Lawyer of the Year” in 2013. Earp is the immediate past chair of the Middle District of North Carolina Chapter of the Federal Bar Association and currently serves as Chair of the Employment Law Practice Group of the North Carolina Association of Defense Attorneys.
“Julie is an excellent attorney and leader, and the Management Committee made a great decision to name her our next Chair,” said Tod Hyche, Partner in Charge of the Greenville office. “She has the talent and energy to continue the positive growth of our firm while keeping the well-being of our clients and their success a top priority.”
About Smith Moore Leatherwood LLP
Clients of Smith Moore Leatherwood LLP receive creative, cost-effective legal services that align with their goals. With seven offices and more than 175 attorneys across North Carolina, South Carolina and Georgia, the firm’s core practice areas are focused on litigation, corporate law, health care, real estate, and labor and employment.
With reputations for excellence and responsive client service, additional practice teams include intellectual property, tax, banking and finance, antitrust, business torts, financial services litigation, appellate, land use and zoning, economic development, and transportation.
For more information about the firm and its attorneys, visit www.smithmoorelaw.com.
