M. Riana Smith Founding Partner Smith Bowers, Raleigh

North Carolina Lawyers Weekly Staff//April 28, 2025//

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A founding partner with Smith Bowers, M. Riana Smith focuses her practice in all areas of business law and litigation, with clients in a variety of industries.

In Smith’s business law practice, she often acts as general counsel for her clients. In her construction law practice, she handles all matters related to the construction industry, including all phases of construction, contract drafting and negotiations, litigation, lien and bond claims, employment matters, and land planning and development.

Smith is known for her combination of transactional skills and litigation experience, which allows her to help clients to be proactive and navigate common pitfalls. But if litigation becomes unavoidable, she is experienced in representing her clients in both state and federal court, as well as in alternative dispute resolution proceedings.

She is a past chair of both the N,C. Bar Association construction law and small firm and technology sections.