41 Ward and Smith Attorneys Named to “Best Lawyers in America®” for 2021

Ward and Smith is proud to announce that nearly half of the firm’s attorneys have been recognized by one of the most respected and trusted attorney rating services in the country.

Forty-one attorneys were named “Best Lawyers in America” by Best Lawyers® for 2021, with five receiving this recognition for the first time. Released annually since 1983, this list highlights the most accomplished and highly acclaimed legal practitioners in their respective practice areas.

Recognition by Best Laywers® is based entirely on peer review. The publication’s methodology is designed to capture the consensus opinion of leading lawyers about the professional abilities of their colleagues, as accurately as possible. You can read more about Best Lawyer’s methodology here.

Ward and Smith’s 2021 Best Lawyers® are: 

ASHEVILLE

Jenny Boyer

• Tax Law
• Trusts and Estates

Bill Durr (2013)

• Construction Litigation
• Family Law

Zac Lamb (2019)

• Tax Law
• Trusts and Estates

Norman Leonard

• Limitation – Banking and Finance

Lance Martin (2015)

• Bankruptcy and Creditor Debtor Rights / Insolvency and Reorganization Law

Joanne Badr Morgan (2020)

• Banking and Finance Law
• Real Estate Law

Bill Wolcott (2018)

• Real Estate Law

GREENVILLE

Drake Brinkley (2020)

• Real Estate Law

Charles Ellis (1995)

• Medical Malpractice Law – Plaintiffs
• Personal Injury Litigation – Plaintiffs

Brad Evans (2016)

• Commercial Litigation
• Litigation – Construction

Lynwood Evans (2013)

• Medical Malpractice Law – Plaintiffs
• Personal Injury Litigation – Plaintiffs

Paul Fanning (2011)

• Banking and Finance Law
• Bankruptcy and Creditor Debtor Rights / Insolvency and Reorganization Law
• Litigation – Bankruptcy

Michael Fields (2018)

• Banking and Finance Law
• Bankruptcy and Creditor Debtor Rights / Insolvency and Reorganization Law

Merrill Jones (2013)

• Corporate Law

John Martin (1995)

• Family Law
• Personal Injury Litigation – Plaintiffs

NEW BERN

Don Eglinton (2009)

• Commercial Litigation
• Copyright Law
• Litigation – Construction
• Litigation – Intellectual Property
• Litigation – Patent
• Patent Law
• Trademark Law

Ken Gray (2009)

• Litigation – Labor and Employment
• Workers’ Compensation Law – Employers

Bill Lathan (2005)

• Banking and Finance Law
• Financial Services Regulation Law

Bill Martin (2013)

• Real Estate Law

Cliff Parson (2021)

• Real Estate Law

Greg Peacock (2010)

• Litigation – Trusts and Estates
• Trusts and Estates

C. H. Pope (1995)

• Land Use and Zoning Law
• Real Estate Law
• Timber Law

Knox Proctor (2010)

• Administrative / Regulatory Law
• Banking and Finance Law
• Corporate Law
• Financial Services Regulation Law

Lauren Quinn (2021)

• Family Law

Eric Remington (2020)

• Land Use and Zoning Law

Clint Routson (2005)

• Real Estate Law

Ryan Simmons (2021)

• Patent Law

Troy Smith (1987)

• Bet-the-Company Litigation
• Business Organizations (including LLCs and Partnerships)
• Commercial Litigation
• Corporate Law

Amy Wang (2019)

• Environmental Law

Leigh Wilkinson (2010)

• Health Care Law

Ken Wooten (2005)

• Bet-the-Company Litigation
• Commercial Litigation
• Litigation – Construction 

RALEIGH

Jeff Bandini (2012)

• Real Estate Law

John Cella (2018)

• Employee Benefits (ERISA) Law
• Tax Law
• Trusts and Estates

Joe DelPapa (2021)

• Corporate Law

Steven Long (2010)

• Employee Benefits (ERISA) Law
• Tax Law

Gary Rickner (1995)

• Bet-the-Company Litigation
• Commercial Litigation

Tyler Russell (2020)

• Bankruptcy and Creditor Debtor Rights / Insolvency and Reorganization Law

Jason Strickland (2019)

• Litigation – Construction

WILMINGTON

Jenna Butler (2010)

• Commercial Litigation
• Litigation – Securities
• Litigation – Trusts and Estates
• Personal Injury Litigation – Plaintiffs

Trip Coyne (2016)

• Business Organizations (including LLCs and Partnerships)
• Litigation – Construction

Sam Franck (2021)

• Community Association Law

John Sloan (2018)

• Trusts and Estates

Ryal Tayloe (2009)

• Bet-the-Company Litigation
• Commercial Litigation
• Construction Law
• Litigation – Construction
• Litigation – Real Estate

Jeremy Wilson (2020)

• Personal Injury Litigation – Plaintiffs