James K. Dorsett III Receives John B. McMillan Distinguished Service Award

James K. Dorsett III received the John B. McMillan Distinguished Service Award on May 8, 2024, at a ceremony and reception held at the North Carolina State Bar Building in Raleigh. State Bar President A. Todd Brown Sr. and State Bar Councilor Walter Brock presented the award. Byron Kirkland and Kimberly J. Korando from Smith Anderson Law Firm also participated in the presentation.

Mr. Dorsett attended Davidson College where he majored in history and was a member of the school’s varsity tennis team. After graduating from Davidson in 1974, he went to Wake Forest University Law School, from which he received his Juris Doctor in 1977. Mr. Dorsett has practiced law at Smith Anderson since he began his legal career more than 45 years ago, and has excelled in many areas of law, including business, trusts and estates, and insurance litigation. His work includes claims such as will caveats, legal malpractice cases, contract suits, and products liability cases in the state and federal courts. He is also a certified mediator.

Mr. Dorsett has served the North Carolina State Bar in many capacities. He served on numerous state bar committees including the Grievance Committee, the Publications Committee, the Professional Corporations Committee, the Professional Organizations Committee, the Policies & Procedures Committee, the Paralegal Committee, the Appointments Committee, the Consumer Protection Committee, the Executive Committee, and the Administrative Committee. He was also elected president of the State Bar.

Mr. Dorsett also served as director of the Wake County Bar Association and chair of the Endowment Committee. He served on the North Carolina State Bar Foundation including as president and chair, and continues his work with the State Bar on the Client Security Fund Board of Directors. Mr. Dorsett also served in the American Bar Association House of Delegates, has been an  American Bar Foundation life fellow and NC fellowship chair, and has worked with the North Carolina Supreme Court Historical Society. He has received recognition from his peers as an outstanding lawyer by being elected to membership in the American Board of Trial Advocates, the American Counsel Association, and the International Society of Barristers.

Outside of the legal profession, Mr. Dorsett has been active in his community. He has served as president of Food Runners Collaborative, Inc. He has also served on the boards of other charitable organizations including Legal Services of North Carolina and on the Board of Visitors of Davidson College. He is past-president of the Rotary Club of Raleigh and remains active in its service projects. Mr. Dorsett received the Federal Bar Association’s Judge David Daniel Award for Excellence in the Legal Community and the Citizen Lawyer Award from the North Carolina Bar Association.

Mr. Dorsett’s dedication to the profession and his exemplary reputation makes him a most worthy recipient of the John B. McMillan Distinguished Service Award.