Campbell Law alumni honored among N.C. ‘Excellence in Law’ recipients

RALEIGH - Six Campbell Law School alumni have been selected among the North Carolina Lawyer's Weekly 2026 "Excellence in Law" recipients. They were honored at an event, which recognizes excellence in all areas of the local legal community, on April 23 at the Friday Conference Center in Chapel Hill.

"Leaders in the Law" is an annual award that honors legal professionals licensed and practicing law in the state of North Carolina, who have gone above and beyond in their profession and their community. These honorees represent the most influential individuals within our state's legal community.

Chosen among the "Leaders in the Law" were Elizabeth Greene '99 of Bradley Arant Boult Cummings; John Martin '85 of Cranfill Sumner LLP and Will Owens '06 of Owens & Miller PLLC. Leaders in the Law are members of the bar who have made important contributions to the practice of law in the state and to the local legal community and/or the community at large, according to the publication.

McKinley "Ken" Gray III '93 of Ward and Smith PA was named among the Legal Icons. Icons are individuals with at least 30 years or more of legal practice. The award honors individuals who are impeccable leaders, have made a lasting impact in the legal profession and have demonstrated an exemplary career.

Among the Legal Phenoms, or those with 10 years or less in their legal practice, were Phillip Fajgenbaum '17 of Parker Poe and Melissa Tulis Smith '16 of Smith Debnam Narron Drake Saintsing & Myers LLP. The Legal Phenom award is given to those who have made an impact in the legal community early on in their career.

ABOUT CAMPBELL LAW SCHOOL

Since its founding in 1986, Campbell Law has developed lawyers who possess moral conviction, social compassion, and professional competence, and who view the law as a calling to serve others. Among its accolades, the school has been recognized by the American Bar Association (ABA) as having the nation's top Professionalism Program and by the American Academy of Trial Lawyers for having the nation's best Trial Advocacy Program. Campbell Law boasts nearly 5,000 alumni, who make their home in nearly all 50 states and beyond. In 2026, Campbell Law is celebrating 50 years of graduating legal leaders and 17 years of being located in a state-of-the-art facility in the heart of North Carolina's Capital City.

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