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)
GREENVILLE
Drake Brinkley (2020)
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)
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)
Cliff Parson (2021)
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)
Eric Remington (2020)
Clint Routson (2005)
Ryan Simmons (2021)
Troy Smith (1987)
- Bet-the-Company Litigation
- Business Organizations (including LLCs and Partnerships)
- Commercial Litigation
- Corporate Law
Amy Wang (2019)
Leigh Wilkinson (2010)
Ken Wooten (2005)
- Bet-the-Company Litigation
- Commercial Litigation
- Litigation – Construction
RALEIGH
Jeff Bandini (2012)
John Cella (2018)
- Employee Benefits (ERISA) Law
- Tax Law
- Trusts and Estates
Joe DelPapa (2021)
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)
Ryal Tayloe (2009)
- Bet-the-Company Litigation
- Commercial Litigation
- Construction Law
- Litigation – Construction
- Litigation – Real Estate
Jeremy Wilson (2020)
- Personal Injury Litigation – Plaintiffs
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