Law Firm Pro Bono Award: Anna Stearns
Anna Stearns is the owner and managing partner of Sneed & Stearns, P.A., a boutique law firm based in her hometown of Black Mountain, North Carolina. Anna worked for 15 years as a paralegal to esteemed local attorney Ronald Sneed before attending Campbell University School of Law. After earning her law degree, she went on to serve as Chief of Staff and General Counsel to Chief Justice Cheri Beasley at the North Carolina Supreme Court. Anna later returned home to the mountains to take the reins of the law firm from her long-time mentor and carry on his legacy of providing quality, affordable legal services to the Swannanoa Valley.
Her legal practice focuses on real property, estate planning and administration, small business formation and management, and civil litigation. Deeply committed to community development and disaster recovery, Anna has been actively engaged in both organizational and grassroots relief efforts following Hurricane Helene. She partners closely with Legal Aid of North Carolina, Pisgah Legal Services, and the Swannanoa Grassroots Alliance to deliver legal support and advocacy to impacted residents.
Anna currently serves as President of the Black Mountain-Swannanoa Chamber Foundation, where she is leading efforts aimed at economic recovery and resilience. She also serves on the boards of Black Mountain Savings Bank, the Black Mountain-Swannanoa Chamber of Commerce, and Bounty & Soul. Her leadership is grounded in a lifelong connection to the community and a clear vision for its future.