Samuel B. Franck

North Carolina Board Certified Specialist in Real Property Law: Commercial Transactions
Ward and Smith, P.A.
Email sbf@wardandsmith.com
910.794.4835 Fax 910.794.4877
Post Office Box 7068, Wilmington, NC 28406-7068

Sam leads the Real Estate practice. His experience includes all aspects of commercial real estate and community association matters. He regularly assists commercial and residential developers in the acquisition, subdivision, development, zoning, and sale of real property, including the formation of complex, mixed-use planned communities, commercial and residential condominiums, and multi-tenant commercial projects.  

Additionally, Sam represents purchasers and lenders with regard to the evaluation of failed and distressed real estate projects and the development of strategies to maximize value and limit liability in connection with those projects. He also assists developers in the preparation of planned community and condominium documents and represents condominium and community associations on a wide variety of legal matters, including transition issues, restatement and amendment of community documents, and resolution of community issues and disputes.

Sam is a North Carolina Board Certified Specialist in Real Property Law: Commercial Transactions. 

Education

  • J.D., College of William & Mary Law School, 2002. Moot Court Board
  • B.S., Civil Engineering, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, 1998

Honors and Distinctions*

  • The Best Lawyers in America, Best Lawyers®, 2021-2024
  • "Legal Elite," Business North Carolina, Real Estate, 2018-2019, 2023
  • "Rising Star," North Carolina Super Lawyers, 2013-2015

Super Lawyers Logo  Legal Elite 

Professional and Community Affiliations

  • American Society of Civil Engineers
  • Business Alliance for a Sound Economy (BASE) (executive committee, board member)
  • Cape Fear Habitat for Humanity (prior member, board of directors; member, advisory council)
  • Community Associations Institute
  • North Carolina Bar Association — Committee: Community Associations
  • North Carolina Bar Association Leadership Academy (Class of 2012)
  • North Carolina Bar Association — Sections: Real Property (past council member); Zoning, Planning and Land Use
  • North Carolina State Bar Board of Legal Specialization, Real Property Law Specialty Committee Advisory
  • Virginia Bar Association

Admitted to Practice

  • North Carolina, 2006
  • Virginia, 2002

* 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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