Smith Anderson partners Sammy Sammy Thompson and Marks Arnold each have received the Boys & Girls Clubs of America National Service to Youth Award honoring their long-standing service to the Wake County Boys & Girls Clubs, which started as the Raleigh Boys Club 40 years ago. Their significant contributions include Mr. Thompson's service on the Wake County Boys & Girls Clubs' board for 30 years and Mr. Arnold's service for 15 years. The Boys & Girls Clubs of America provides programs to enable all young people, particularly those with the greatest need, to reach their full potential as productive, caring and responsible citizens. The organization core beliefs include providing a safe place to learn and grow; ongoing relationships with caring, adult professionals; life enhancing programs and character developing experiences. The core programs include Character & Leadership Development; Education & Career Development; Health & Life Skills; The Arts; and Sports, Fitness & Recreation.
A defense litigator for 39 years, Mr. Thompson has tried approximately 300 cases in all Federal and State trial courts in North Carolina. His experience includes all North Carolina appellate courts, as well as the United States Fourth Circuit Court of Appeals. Mr. Arnold has practiced corporate law for 28 years and regularly works with clients on matters such as mergers and acquisitions, general corporate, commercial and contract.