Benjamin (Ben) Smith is one of approximately twenty board-certified utilities law specialists in North Carolina and is Vice Chair of the North Carolina State Bar Utilities Specialty Committee. Ben advocates at state public service commissions on issues related to nearly all applicable energy policies, from generation through distribution. His energy expertise is not technology limited, and his background is robust in solar, storage, offshore and onshore wind, natural gas, new or advanced nuclear and related technologies, and coal. Prior to joining the firm, Ben was Associate General Counsel at the North Carolina Sustainable Energy Association (NCSEA), where he developed policy goals, positions, and desired outcomes, including implementing initiatives, campaign plans, and strategies to achieve policy goals and desired outcomes related to the future of energy in North Carolina. In addition to his energy regulatory work, Ben helps develop, negotiate, and draft energy contracts and has a litigation practice focused on energy and energy offtake or procurement related issues.
Benjamin is listed in the 2024, 2025 and 2026 editions of Chambers USA: America’s Leading Lawyers for Business for Energy and Natural Resources. He was recognized in The Best Lawyers in America® in 2025 and 2026 in the area of Environmental Law. Benjamin was named a “Legal Elite” in 2024 by Business North Carolina magazine for Environmental Law.
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Saint Louis University School of Law J.D. (2009)
Indiana University B.A., Journalism and English (2006)
North Carolina (2014)
U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Eastern District of North Carolina
U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Middle District of North Carolina
U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Western District of North Carolina
U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit
U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of North Carolina
U.S. District Court for the Middle District of North Carolina
U.S. District Court for the Western District of North Carolina
Leading with Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion Certificate (2022)
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