VIEW BIO"During my time as a Ward and Smith summer associate, I improved upon the skills that now contribute to my success as an attorney. The Summer Associate Program offers incredible opportunities for hands-on experience and mentorship. Ward and Smith's Program is unique, offering summer associates the chance to visit each of the five office locations and build meaningful professional connections along the way."
Hannah M. Daigle
Ward and Smith's reputation for excellence not only includes our approach to client service but in how we value our people.
We pride ourselves on having a culture that fosters collaboration, mentorship, and teamwork in a collegial professional environment.
We invest in our attorneys from the time they graduate law school or join as a lateral all the way through retirement. Our investment in the professional development of each attorney centers around four primary areas: (1) acquiring technical legal skills and experience; (2) learning to become a collaborative team member; (3) producing leaders; and (4) building a successful network of clients, referral sources and colleagues.
At Ward and Smith, we are always looking for professionals who want to build a career with us. If you are looking for professional growth opportunities in a supportive work environment, Ward and Smith is the law firm for you.
Our Roadmap Starts at Orientation
Your success is key to Ward and Smith's success. We know you will achieve more in your legal career with support and guidance that enables you to transition quickly, efficiently, and thoroughly into our system. Our goal is to create camaraderie from day one while introducing you to the firm's history, culture, governance, and practice structure.
For laterals, we offer an integration plan to ensure a seamless transition for your clients into the firm, while positioning you to expand your practice and become a productive member of the Ward and Smith team. Support is provided from your practice section, firm management, and various members of the professional development and marketing teams.
Training
The cornerstone of a successful law practice is to be a technically sound lawyer. At Ward and Smith, our training approach includes hands-on technical training from within your section. This training follows the section’s Career Profile. The Career Profile benchmarks technical training which is achieved in progressive stages. The firm also provides administrative and marketing career profiles that guide lawyers to a full professional development experience.
Our lawyers also attend internal and external training programs including Continuing Legal Education programs (CLEs). Additionally, Ward and Smith attorneys are often asked to speak to local and national audiences in their areas of expertise.
Leadership
As part of our attorney development, Ward and Smith annually selects motivated attorneys to participate in various community leadership programs. We are proud of the many attorneys who have achieved success in the North Carolina Bar Association’s Leadership Academy and in the Chamber of Commerce Leadership Programs in Asheville, Greenville, New Bern, Raleigh, and Wilmington.
Inside the firm, Ward and Smith offers numerous options for leadership based on merit and performance rather than seniority. Whether you are supervising other attorneys or in your first year of practice sharing the stage with a seasoned attorney at a client seminar, attorneys with the right skill set are asked to contribute. A sampling of our leadership opportunities include:
- Practice Section Leader
- Practice Group Leader
- Geographic Team Leader
- Committee Chair
- Section Meeting Leader
- Seminar Presenters
- Special Project Leader
- Co-Managing Director
Networking
To today’s global marketplace, staying connected is essential to success in law and in business. At Ward and Smith, we apply that philosophy by investing in technology platforms that allow attorneys to be efficient and effective in the practice of law. The firm invests in numerous databases that allow attorneys and staff to conduct comprehensive legal research in the most efficient manner on behalf of clients. We also leverage Zoom, Teams, and other platforms to communicate "anytime, anywhere" as needed.
Aside from our internal networks, Ward and Smith is active in external strategic networks. Ward and Smith is a member of The Law Firm Alliance, a strategic alliance of 50+ mid-sized law firms across North America, Europe, and Asia offering a wide range of legal and industry specialties. Members share information regarding improving legal services, firm governance, and effective marketing strategies as well as in-network client referrals. The firm also associates with State Law Resources, an international network of independent law firms with government relations practice groups. State Law Resources connects businesses, trade associations and public policy coalitions to the highest quality legal representation across jurisdictions.
As a highly networked law firm committed to developing talent and future leaders, Ward and Smith takes pride in providing a collaborative work environment that leverages technology and uses problem-solving skills and solution-based thinking to achieve optimal outcomes for clients. We look forward to having you join us on this professional journey.
