Alan Duncan Receives Advocate's Award

Article Date: Thursday, June 23, 2011

Alan Duncan accepts award from Allison Van Laningham.

Alan W. Duncan of Greensboro was honored recently as the fifth recipient of The Advocate’s Award. Presented by the Litigation Section of the North Carolina Bar Association, the award recognizes “superstars” of the section and the legal profession.

           

Allison Van Laningham, past section chair, presented the award in Asheville on June 23 at the section’s annual meeting, which was held in conjunction with the NCBA Annual Meeting.

           

Previous recipients of the award are Charles Becton, Don Cowan, Grady Barnhill and Jim Williams.

           

Duncan is a partner with Smith Moore Leatherwood and past president of the N.C. Association of Defense Attorneys. He served on the NCBA Board of Governors from 2004-07 and is past chair of the Litigation Section and the Trial Practice Curriculum Committee.

           

“Alan consistently demonstrates the highest ethical standards with each and every case or matter in which he is involved,” writes Patti Ramseur, a law firm colleague and one of several attorneys who wrote in support of the Duncan nomination. “Because of his honesty, integrity, and constant effort to treat everyone in a fair manner, Alan is well-respected by both the attorneys with whom he works as well as opposing counsel.

           

“Alan’s respect for and love of the law is evident from the time and energy he devotes to each and every case, regardless of how big or small the matter.”

           

Duncan is a 1976 graduate of Davidson College and 1979 graduate of the Vanderbilt University School of Law.

 

“I have worked with Alan since he began the practice of law at the firm in 1979,” adds Bynum Hunter. “Alan’s litigation and advocacy skills, professionalism, and commitment to the practice of law are matched by very few in the profession. He consistently strives to provide clients with the highest level of service, while maintaining the highest ethical standards.

 

“Within the firm, Alan serves as a leader and constantly demonstrates his respect for and love of the law and the practice of law. Quite candidly, he is one of the best lawyers I have ever seen, and I have seen a lot of them.”

 

Duncan was honored in 2007 as one of the initial recipients of the NCBA Citizen Lawyer Award, in part for his service on the Guilford County Board of Education, where he has been a member since 2000 and chair since 2002.