Madeline C. Lipe

Business and Community Associations Attorney
Ward and Smith, P.A.
Email mclipe@wardandsmith.com
910.794.4819 Fax 910.794.4877
Post Office Box 7068, Wilmington, NC 28406-7068

Madeline has a diverse practice, focusing on community associations, business, and zoning and land use matters. 

As a community associations attorney, Madeline frequently advises boards and members regarding the formation of new community associations, corporate governance, procedural requirements, governing document amendments, fiduciary duties, inspection rights, collection issues, and rule adoption and enforcement.

Additionally, Madeline works with businesses and their ownership and management teams on various transactions, such as mergers and acquisitions and investments, and regularly assists companies with business entity formations and general corporate and contractual matters.

Madeline also devotes a portion of her practice to helping clients navigate zoning and land use issues, including, but not limited to, zoning and rezoning matters, special use permits, conditional use permits, and variances.

In 2019, Madeline was a Ward and Smith summer associate. Prior to joining the firm, She served as a judicial extern for North Carolina Supreme Court Justice Paul Newby, where she wrote legal memoranda and researched state and federal law as it pertains to civil and criminal matters, including business law and community associations matters.

Madeline graduated cum laude from Campbell University School of Law, where she was a member of Campbell Law Moot Court and Campbell Law Mock Trial Team. She won several recognitions and awards, including earning the top prize in the 2018 Richard A. Lord Moot Court Competition, as well as being awarded the Best Oralist in that same tournament. Madeline also attended Baylor Law School’s Academy of the Advocate held in St. Andrews, Scotland, where she studied trial advocacy.

Education

  • J.D., cum laude, Campbell University School of Law, 2020
  • B.S., magna cum laude, Appalachian State University, 2013

Honors and Distinctions*

  • Calhoun Advocacy Award – awarded for the best performance in the trial and appellate advocacy program.
  • Order of Barristers – national society recognizing outstanding performance in the art of advocacy.
  • Leadership High Point, Class of 2015

Professional and Community Affiliations

  • CREW Network, Cape Fear Chapter
  • The Community Associations Institute – North Carolina Chapter, Legislative Action Committee, Secretary, delegate, present - 2024

Admitted to Practice

  • North Carolina, 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.

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  • 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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