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
Analyzing samples On September 6, 2023, the Department of the Navy (“Navy”) announced a framework for evaluating and potentially settling…
Article
Camp Lejeune Water Contamination
Personal Injury and Wrongful Death
Ready to get started?
