Samuel B. Franck

North Carolina State Bar Board Certified Specialist in Real Property Law: Commercial Transactions
Ward and Smith, P.A.
Email sbf@wardandsmith.com
910.794.4835 Fax 910.794.4877
Post Office Box 7068, Wilmington, NC 28406-7068

Sam leads the firm's Real Estate practice and is a North Carolina State Bar Board Certified Specialist in Real Property Law: Commercial Transactions. His experience includes all aspects of commercial real estate matters, including counsel regarding strategies to maximize value and limit liability. 

His practice focuses on land use and development, including zoning and other entitlements and public-private partnerships.  He also regularly assists commercial and residential developers in the acquisition, subdivision, development, and sale of real property, including the formation of complex, mixed-use planned communities, commercial and residential condominiums, and multi-tenant commercial projects. 

Education

  • J.D., College of William & Mary Law School, 2002. Moot Court Board
  • B.S., Civil Engineering, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, 1998

Honors and Distinctions*

  • The Best Lawyers in America, Best Lawyers®, 2021-2024
  • "Legal Elite," Business North Carolina, Real Estate, 2018-2019, 2023-2024
  • Rising Star," North Carolina Super Lawyers, 2013-2015

Super Lawyers Logo  Legal Elite 

Professional and Community Affiliations

  • American Society of Civil Engineers
  • Business Alliance for a Sound Economy (BASE) (executive committee, board member)
  • Cape Fear Habitat for Humanity (prior member, board of directors; member, advisory council)
  • Community Associations Institute
  • North Carolina Bar Association — Committee: Community Associations
  • North Carolina Bar Association Leadership Academy (Class of 2012)
  • North Carolina Bar Association — Sections: Real Property (past council member); Zoning, Planning and Land Use
  • North Carolina State Bar Board of Legal Specialization, Real Property Law Specialty Committee Advisory
  • Virginia Bar Association

Admitted to Practice

  • North Carolina, 2006
  • Virginia,  2002 (Associate)

* Please see the following websites for an explanation of the membership standards for the following recognitions: www.bestlawyers.com; businessnc.com/special-sections/legal-elite/; and www.superlawyers.com/north-carolina.

An attorney‑client relationship may only be established through direct attorney‑to‑client communication that is confirmed by the execution of an engagement agreement. The content of any unsolicited email sent to Ward and Smith, P.A., or to any of its attorneys at an email address available on this website, will not create an attorney‑client relationship and the contents of such unsolicited email shall not be considered confidential. Therefore, do not use this website or the email addresses available on this website to provide confidential information about yourself or a legal matter to Ward and Smith or any of its attorneys.

  • American Board of Trial Advocates
  • Legal Elite Business North Carolina 2024
  • Super Lawyers 2021
  • Recognized by Best Lawyers 2023
  • U.S. News Best Lawyers 20234

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