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    • Bettie Kelley Sousa
    • John M. Sperati
    • Richard J. Steele
    • Rose H. Stout
    • Alicia J. Whitlock
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Bettie Kelley Sousa has been practicing law with Smith Debnam since becoming licensed in 1981. She has a wealth of experience in state and federal courts, including bankruptcy courts, at both trial and appellate levels. She represents mostly businesses -- both large and small -- in a variety of matters, including contract drafting and disputes, and employment issues. 

Ms. Sousa prides herself in efficiently finding peaceful resolutions for her clients. She is skilled at avoiding litigation and locking down agreements to avoid further disputes. But, if a case requires litigation, she is an accomplished trial lawyer, having represented both plaintiffs and defendants in her many years of practice
   

Admissions

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North Carolina State Bar

North Carolina Courts:
          Supreme Court 
          Court of Appeals 
          Superior Courts
          District Courts

Federal Courts:
          U.S. Supreme Court          
          U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit 
          U.S. District Courts
                    Eastern District 
                    Middle District 
                    Western District
          U.S. Bankruptcy Courts
                    Eastern District 
                    Middle District 
                    Western District

Certifications 

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Certified Creditors' Rights Specialist by the American Board of Certification since 1993

Education

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J. D., Wake Forest University School of Law, 1981

A.B., University of North Carolina, 1978

Professional Affiliations

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American Bar Association
          Litigation Section
          Labor & Employment Law Section

American Board of Certification
          Board of Directors
          Secretary (2008)
          Member, Executive Committee
          Past-Chairman, Standards Committee

North Carolina Bar Association
          Business Law Section
          Labor and Employment Law Section

Commercial Law League of America

Wake County Bar Association
          Past President, Young Lawyers' Division
          Past Member, Board of Directors

Civic Involvement

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St. Michael's Episcopal Church: Lay Reader, former Sunday School Teacher

Meals on Wheels Volunteer