Amy P. Wang
Environmental Attorney
T 252.672.5516
F 252.672.5477
E apw@wardandsmith.com
O New Bern, NC
Practice Areas:
Administrative and Regulatory Law, Agribusiness, Coastal Law, Community Associations, Construction, Economic Development, Energy and Utilities, Environmental, Government Relations, Litigation, Natural Disaster and Recovery, Real Estate Development, Zoning and Land Use Planning
Amy leads the firm’s Environmental practice with a focus on regulatory compliance and the environmental aspects of real estate and business transactions, including coastal development. She has built trust with her clients by providing practical business advice and strategies for regulatory compliance by commercial and industrial operations; conducting due diligence; remediating contaminated properties; meeting the requirements of coastal development and stormwater permitting standards; and, redeveloping contaminated properties through Brownfields and regulatory cleanup programs.
Amy’s philosophy of communication and teamwork allows her to establish, maintain, and leverage positive relationships with environmental technical experts and government regulators.
Honors and Distinctions
- “Best Lawyer,” The Best Lawyers in America®, 2019-2026
- Chambers USA, Environment, 2025
- “Legal Elite,” Business North Carolina, Environmental, Hall of Fame, since 2020
- “Legal Elite,” Business North Carolina, Environmental, 2015-2016, 2018-2020
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.
- J.D., Wake Forest School of Law, 1996
- B.A., University of Virginia, 1992
- Craven Community College Foundation, board member, (2015-2023)
- CREW Network, Cape Fear Chapter
- Morgan’s Message, At-Large Ambassador
- New Bern Area Chamber of Commerce, Leadership Craven Alumnus, Class of 2008
- New Bern Heart Society, chair 2015 Heart Ball for the American Heart Association/American Stroke Association,
- North Carolina Bar Association — Section: Environment, Energy & Natural Resources Law, Section Council Member, 2025 ( Section Chair, 2021, Council Vice-Chair 2020, Secretary 2019, Treasurer 2018)
- Urban Land Institute Triangle Chapter, member
- North Carolina, 1996
- All state courts in North Carolina
- United States District Court for the Eastern District of North Carolina
What I admire most about my clients is their spirit – they are energetic, creative, and optimistic, even in the face of legal risks.
The best thing about Ward and Smith is that we exemplify 1+1=3…our whole is truly greater than the sum of our parts.
Surprising things people don’t know about me:
- I lived in Alaska as a child.
- I’d most like to live in Peter Mayle’s Provence because there is fresh air, adventure, and plenty of chilled local rosé.
- My favorite character in fiction is Jason Bourne because he is focused, resourceful, and never stops.
“Don’t be afraid of fear … Throw caution to the winds. Look fear straightaway in its ugly face and barge forward. And when you get past it, turn around and give it a good, swift kick in the ass.”
~ Dame Helen Mirren
Representative Experience
Environmental Compliance Support
- Advising industrial and municipal clients on compliance with NPDES wastewater and stormwater permits and other regulatory requirements.
Environmental Contract Negotiations
- Advising on contracts for the purchase and sale of real estate and businesses, negotiating terms of risk allocation for environmental liability
Brownfields Redevelopment and Property Redevelopment
- Advising clients on redeveloping on redeveloping contaminated properties, including negotiating Brownfields Agreements with the Brownfields Redevelopment Section
Permitting and Regulatory Due Diligence
- Assisting developers and commercial and residential community associations with municipal stormwater requirements
- Conducting due diligence to identify and manage environmental risks associated with real estate transactions
- Assisting corporate and banking clients with projects facing environmental assessment, permitting, and enforcement issues
Permit Transfer Assistance
- Representing community associations and developers negotiating transfers of State stormwater permits
- Facilitating the transfer of State stormwater permits during the sale of commercial and residential properties
Municipal and Industrial Negotiations
- Representing municipalities enforcing NPDES discharge limits against industry to control pollutant-laden wastewater discharges to Publicly Owned Treatment Works
- Advising industrial clients on negotiations with municipal authorities over wastewater and stormwater requirements
Defense Against Environmental Challenges
- Defending agricultural operations against citizen suit claims under the Clean Water Act and Resource Conservation and Recovery Act
- Defending Stormwater and CAMA permits for residential development in the Outer Banks against third-party challenges
- Defending stormwater and CAMA permits against administrative and judicial challenges
Articles + Insights
