Raleigh, NC – October 7, 2025 – Tharrington Smith is pleased to announce that Jason Naulty has joined the firm as an associate in the Education Law section. Raised in a family dedicated to public education, Jason brings a strong appreciation for the challenges and opportunities facing North Carolina’s public schools.
A lifelong North Carolina resident, Jason Naulty developed his appreciation for public service early, attending public schools throughout the state. He earned his Bachelor of Arts in Political Science and Public Policy from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill in 2018. Jason then continued his education at UNC School of Law, graduating with honors in 2025. During law school, he served as a Forum Editor for the North Carolina Law Review, worked as a certified student attorney in the UNC Economic Justice Clinic, and was a board member of the Labor & Employment Law Association. He also gained hands-on judicial and regulatory experience through externships with the U.S. District Court for the Middle District of North Carolina and the North Carolina Court of Appeals, as well as a summer clerkship at the Federal Trade Commission’s Bureau of Consumer Protection. Prior to law school, Jason worked as a paralegal, building a strong foundation in legal practice and preparing him for his legal career.
“I was drawn to Tharrington Smith for two reasons,” Jason said. “First, the firm’s dedication to serving the people and institutions of North Carolina aligns with my commitment to this state. Second, I strongly believe in the value of public education, and being able to support North Carolina’s public schools alongside a team of phenomenal attorneys is a true privilege. My goal is simply to contribute to the incredible work of the Education Section and support our schools in any way I can.”
Melissa Michaud, Education Law partner at Tharrington Smith, added, “Jason brings an impressive combination of experience, dedication, and genuine passion for public education. We are thrilled to have him join our team and look forward to the contributions he will make in supporting public schools throughout North Carolina.”
With a long-standing commitment to supporting public education, Tharrington Smith has been a trusted partner to school boards across North Carolina for more than four decades. Jason’s litigation experience and dedication to advocacy position him to make a significant impact in advancing the firm’s Education Law practice and strengthening the state’s public school system.
About Tharrington Smith, LLP
The attorneys at Tharrington Smith, LLP pride themselves on providing the highest quality professional legal services available. The motto “We don’t deal with cases, we deal with people” is the foundation of our practice, and we have been building successful relationships in the state since 1964. Because of this, our firm has grown practices that reach across North Carolina and has earned a reputation that spreads across the nation. Focusing on the core proficiencies of family law, education law, criminal defense, criminal tax defense, and civil litigation, Tharrington Smith, LLP has helped countless individuals, companies, and governmental boards find lasting resolutions to their legal issues in North Carolina for over 60 years.
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