Atty. Ryan M. Smith
Ryan Smith is co-head of the Investment Team and a member of the Management Committee. For over 20 years, he has built a practice that represents clients on a variety of complex leveraged financings, senior and junior capital lending transactions, private equity and other equity investments, and corporate transactions.
Banking And Finance Law Attorney · Serving Charlotte, NC · 30+ Years Experience
Profile Summary
About Ryan M. Smith at a Glance
Ryan M. Smith is a business attorney based in Charlotte, North Carolina, practicing at Moore & Van Allen PLLC. They have 30+ years of legal experience, licensed to practice since 1996. Admitted to practice in North Carolina (1996). Educated at The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill (J.D., 1996) and The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill (BA, 1993). Recognitions include Best Lawyers in America — Banking and Finance Law (2026), Best Lawyers in America — Additional Areas of Practice: (2026), and Best Lawyers in America — Private Funds / Hedge Funds Law (2026). Serves clients in Charlotte, NC and the surrounding metropolitan area.
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About Ryan M. Smith
- Ryan Smith is co-head of the Investment Team and a member of the Management Committee
- For over 20 years, he has built a practice that represents clients on a variety of complex leveraged financings, senior and junior capital lending transactions, private equity and other equity investments, and corporate transactions
- Ryan’s primary focus is in finance and equity investment transactions
- As counselor to lenders and passive and controlling stakeholders, he represents a variety of finance companies, business development companies (BDC’s), small business investment companies (SBIC’s), hedge funds, private equity funds, and other private capital investors in connection with leveraged transactions, acquisition financings, going-private transactions, management buyouts, growth investments, and other finance and equity related transactions
- For over 20 years, Ryan has represented his clients in transactions that have ranged from $1 million to $1 billion
- He also has extensive experience in the focus areas that impact these transactions from intercreditor relationships to each class of equity securities issued in the capitalization of an enterprise
Practice Areas Explained
Ryan M. Smith's Areas of Legal Practice
Each practice area below reflects the types of cases Ryan M. Smith handles, with a practical overview of what that area of law involves and how it may apply to your situation in Charlotte.
Business & Corporate Law in Charlotte
Business attorneys advise founders and growing companies on entity formation, contracts, financing, M&A, and dispute resolution.
Ryan M. Smith is one of 497,491 business attorneys indexed nationally. Browse business attorneys in North Carolina →
Jurisdictional Context
Why Local Counsel Matters in Charlotte
Practicing law in North Carolina. Legal matters in North Carolina are governed by state-specific rules of civil and criminal procedure, statutes of limitations, and substantive law. Cases originating in Charlotte are typically filed in the local municipal court or the appropriate North Carolina state district court, depending on subject matter and amount in controversy. An attorney licensed in North Carolina brings working knowledge of local procedural deadlines, judicial practices in this venue, and the substantive law that applies to cases brought here. Out-of-state attorneys generally cannot represent clients in North Carolina courts without local counsel or pro hac vice admission.
Charlotte Courts and Legal Process
Choosing a Charlotte-based attorney means your counsel already knows the local docketing timelines, preferred filing formats, and how individual judges typically rule on procedural motions — details that only come from practicing in this jurisdiction day after day. That local familiarity can translate to better strategy, faster filings, and fewer costly surprises.
Looking for additional North Carolina attorneys? Browse all attorneys in Charlotte or all attorneys in North Carolina.
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Professional Profile
Why Clients in Charlotte Choose Ryan M. Smith
Selecting an attorney is one of the most consequential decisions you can make when a legal matter arises. Below are the core qualities that distinguish Ryan M. Smith's practice in the field of business.
Decade-Tested Legal Experience
Ryan M. Smith brings 30+ years of hands-on legal practice — enough to have navigated the recurring fact patterns, procedural traps, and negotiation dynamics that shape case outcomes.
Focused Business Practice
Concentrating on business means Ryan M. Smith's knowledge of relevant statutes, case law, and procedural nuances stays current — unlike generalist practices that spread attention across unrelated fields.
Local Presence in Charlotte
A Charlotte-based practice means Ryan M. Smith attends hearings in the same courthouses, knows the local clerks, and understands the unwritten scheduling norms that affect every case filed here.
Case Types
Common Legal Issues Ryan M. Smith Handles in Charlotte
Below is a representative sample of the types of matters Ryan M. Smith has experience with under North Carolina law. If your situation involves one of these case categories, this attorney may be well positioned to help you understand your options.
This list is illustrative, not exhaustive. Contact Ryan M. Smith directly to discuss the specifics of your situation.
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How People Find Ryan M. Smith Online
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Ryan M. Smith's Practice Areas & Specializations
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