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Joseph Thomas Knott, III

Personal Injury Attorney
Ward and Smith, P.A.
Email jtknott@wardandsmith.com
919.277.9178 Fax 919.277.9177
Post Office Box 33009, Raleigh, NC 27636-3009

Joe found his calling in the Federal and State courtrooms of North Carolina over 40 years ago. He has worked as a trial attorney ever since.  He is familiar with many of the insurance professionals, defense lawyers, and trial judges that handle these cases in our state. "We only accept cases we think are meritorious and then prosecute those cases with vigor and passion born of a clear conscience."  "Seeking justice in an unjust world" is Joe's professional motto. For the plaintiff, truth is our only asset. "Telling the truth with argument and evidence to twelve people in a courtroom who want to do the right thing is what I do." 

Joe began his legal career as a trial lawyer in the United States Department of Justice under President Ronald Reagan. There he gained experience defending the United States against federal tort claims arising from personal injury and medical malpractice, as well as prosecuting criminal cases.  In more than 40 years of practice, Joe has tried medical malpractice, personal injury, and first degree murder cases to verdict before a jury. "I stopped counting at 100—and that was a long time ago."

Education

  • J.D., University of North Carolina School of Law, 1980
  • M.Div, Trinity Evangelical Divinity School, 1978
  • B.S., University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, 1974

Professional and Community Affiliations

  • 10th Judicial District Bar
  • North Carolina Advocates for Justice
  • North Carolina Bar Association

Admitted to Practice

  • North Carolina, 1980

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  • 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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