Avery J. Locklear

Labor and Employment Attorney
Ward and Smith, P.A.
Email ajlocklear@wardandsmith.com
910.794.4836 Fax 910.794.4877
Post Office Box 7068, Wilmington, NC 28406-7068
Post Office Box 2020 Asheville, NC 28802-2020

Avery has a diverse practice that focuses on labor and employment law. She helps businesses of all sizes, as well as individual employers and human resources professionals. Avery is committed to finding practical, efficient solutions to the challenges that employers face every day. 

Avery is a graduate of the University of North Carolina School of Law. While attending, she was highly involved on campus, serving as President of Women in Law, Vice President of both Carolina Law Ambassador and Law Students Against Sexual Domestic Violence, working as an Innocence Project case manager, and completing more than 100 hours of pro bono service.

Prior to joining Ward and Smith full-time, Avery worked as a Summer Associate.

Education

  • J.D., with honors, University of North Carolina School of Law, 2022
    • North Carolina Law Review Vol. 100, Articles Editor
      • Are you Native? 100 N.C. L. Rev. F. 118 (2022)
  • B.A., summa cum laude, University of North Carolina at Pembroke, 2019; Elite 15 Recipient

Professional and Community Affiliations

  • UNC-Pembroke Braves Club, Member

Admitted to Practice

  • North Carolina, 2022

About Me

I have a dog named Frances, but her friends call her "Frankie." 

Some of my favorite things are being a unicyclist and cheering on the Panthers from Bank of America Stadium, even when they're not doing well.

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 2021
  • Super Lawyers 2021
  • Recognized by Best Lawyers 2023
  • U.S. News Best Lawyers 2023

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