Private Wealth Law
North Carolina
3 years ranked
INDIVIDUAL PROFILE
Deborah McDermott
High Net Worth 2026
Ranked in 1 practice area
About
Provided by Smith, Anderson, Blount, Dorsett, Mitchell & Jernigan, LLP
High Net Worth
Practice Areas
Debbie McDermott is a member of Smith Anderson’s Trusts and Estates practice and advises clients on estate planning, estate administration and other trusts and estates matters.
As a North Carolina Board Certified Specialist in Estate Planning and Probate Law and a Certified Financial PlannerTM, Debbie has extensive experience advising high net worth individuals on matters including wealth transfer, asset protection and charitable planning. Prior to joining Smith Anderson, Debbie worked for a regional law firm where she advised clients on a range of estate planning and elder needs, especially ultra-high net worth individuals. Before attending law school, Debbie served as an associate director of gift planning at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill where she worked with ultra-high net worth donors to create strategic plans for planned gifts and other philanthropy. She also worked as a financial planner at Suntrust Bank where she advised both individual clients and small businesses on matters related to business succession, risk management and estate and tax planning.
Debbie enjoys the arts, attending live sports, entertainment, and arts events.
Professional Memberships
Certified Financial Planner, TM
Chambers Review
Provided by Chambers
Chambers High Net Worth
Private Wealth Law - North Carolina
Band 2
Individual Editorial
Deborah McDermott frequently advises wealthy clients on domestic and cross-border trusts and estates matters.
Strengths
Provided by Chambers
Deborah has the ability and people skills to clearly and concisely respond and explain complicated legalese to the client. We are extremely fortunate to have Deborah as our estate and wealth attorney.
Private Wealth LawChambers High Net WorthDeborah McDermott was very knowledgeable and easy to work with throughout the process.
Private Wealth LawChambers High Net WorthDebbie McDermott communicated very well. I understood what information she needed from me, and she responded in a timely way when I needed information from her.
Private Wealth LawChambers High Net WorthDeborah McDermott has been easy to communicate with and has delivered a plan consistent with our conversations. Her responsiveness has been outstanding.
Private Wealth LawChambers High Net WorthIt is a pleasure to work with Debbie McDermott. She is very knowledgeable in the estate and trust area, where she does a superb job advising and assisting with many complex matters. Debbie is prompt with her responses and very thorough with her research.
Private Wealth LawChambers High Net Worth
Ranked Individuals at Smith, Anderson, Blount, Dorsett, Mitchell & Jernigan, LLP (3)
North Carolina
Deborah McDermott
Private Wealth Law
View profile 
Kimberly Quarles Swintosky
Private Wealth Law
View profile 
Ansley Chapman Cella
Private Wealth Law
View profile
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