Best Lawyers® has recognized 49 Ward and Smith attorneys in more than 30 practice areas from across the firm’s five offices.
The 2022 edition of the prestigious guide named 42 attorneys as “The Best Lawyers in America,” seven were recognized as “Ones to Watch,” and two were honored as “Lawyer of the Year.”
Released annually since 1983, Best Lawyers® highlights the most accomplished and highly acclaimed legal practitioners in their respective practice areas. The recognition is based entirely on peer review, and 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.
The Ward and Smith attorneys recognized in the 2022 edition of Best Lawyers® are:
Asheville

Jenny Boyer (2022)
- Tax Law
- Trusts and Estates
Bill Durr (2013)
- Construction Litigation
- Family Law
Zac Lamb (2019)
- Tax Law
- Trusts and Estates
Norman Leonard (2022)
- Litigation – 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)
- Antitrust Law
- 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
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)
Raleigh

Jeff Bandini (2012)
Danny Brader (2021)
- Bankruptcy and Creditor Debtor Rights/Insolvency and Reorganization Law
Joe DelPapa (2021)
Xavier Lightfoot (2021)
- Litigation – Construction
- Litigation – Labor and Employment
Steven Long (2010)
- Employee Benefits (ERISA) Law
- Tax Law
Evan Musselwhite (2021)
- Construction Law
- Litigation – Construction
Gary Rickner (1995)
- Bet-the-Company Litigation
- Commercial Litigation
Erica Rogers (2021)
- Intellectual Property Law
Tyler Russell (2020)
- Bankruptcy and Creditor Debtor Rights / Insolvency and Reorganization Law
Jason Strickland (2019)
- Litigation – Construction
Wilmington

B.T. Atkinson (2010)
- Securities/Capital Markets Law
Jenna Butler (2010)
- Commercial Litigation
- Litigation – Securities
- Litigation – Trusts and Estates
- Personal Injury Litigation – Plaintiffs
Virginia Carter (2022)
Trip Coyne (2016)
- Business Organizations (including LLCs and Partnerships)
- Litigation – Construction
Chris Edwards (2021)
Sam Franck (2021)
- Community Association Law
Paige Inman (2021)
- Family Law
- Litigation – Trusts and Estates
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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