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John M. Martin

North Carolina State Bar Board Certified Specialist in Family Law
Ward and Smith, P.A.
Email jmm@wardandsmith.com
252.215.4011 Fax 252.215.4077
Post Office Box 7068, Wilmington, NC 28406-7068
Post Office Box 8088, Greenville, NC 27835-8088

John's practice experience encompasses various areas of litigation.  He has represented many clients in personal injury and wrongful death cases and has obtained multi-million dollar verdicts in these types of cases.  Other areas of his litigation practice in Greenville and Wilmington include representation of clients in business and corporate litigation and in family law, with an emphasis on equitable distribution cases involving significant and complex assets. 

John is certified by the North Carolina State Bar as a Board Certified Specialist in Family Law.

Education

  • J.D., Wake Forest School of Law, 1975. Associate Editor, Wake Forest Law Review.
  • B.A., with high honors, North Carolina State University, 1972

Honors and Distinctions*

  • The Best Lawyers in America, Best Lawyers®, 1995-2025
  • "Legal Elite," Business North Carolina, 2009, 2020-2024
  • "Super Lawyer," Business Litigation, North Carolina Super Lawyers, 2006-2024
  • "Top 100: North Carolina Super Lawyer," North Carolina Super Lawyers, 2018, 2020

Best Lawyers - Firm Logo  Super Lawyers Logo

Professional and Community Affiliations

  • American Association for Justice
  • North Carolina Advocates for Justice — Sections: Auto Torts, Family Law, Professional Negligence
  • North Carolina Bar Association — Sections: Dispute Resolution; Family Law, council member; Litigation

Admitted to Practice

  • North Carolina, 1975
  • All state courts in North Carolina
  • United States Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit
  • United States District Court for the Eastern and Middle Districts of North Carolina

* 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 2025
  • U.S. News Best Lawyers 20234
  • 2024 Chambers USA

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