William S. Durr

Litigation Attorney
Ward and Smith, P.A.
Email wsd@wardandsmith.com
828.348.6062 Fax 828.348.6077
Post Office Box 2020, Asheville, NC 28802-2020

Bill's practice experience encompasses civil litigation in both the state and federal courts. He has represented clients in a broad variety of complex construction, business, and commercial disputes.  His civil litigation experience includes depositions, pre-trial and dispositive motions, mediations, arbitrations, jury trials, and appeals. Other areas of his litigation practice include insurance coverage disputes, personal injury, agribusiness litigation, and representation of professional athletes and other high net worth individuals in a variety of family law matters. Prior to joining the firm, Bill practiced civil litigation in Binghamton, New York. He also presided over numerous jury trials in his capacity as the Acting Village Justice and Village Justice for the Village of Johnson City, New York.

Education

  • J.D., Washington University School of Law, 1990. Order of Barristers.
  • B.A., University of Rochester, 1987

Honors and Distinctions*

  • "Legal Elite," Business North Carolina, Construction, 2023
  • "The Best Lawyers in America," Best Lawyers®, 2013-2023

Professional and Community Affiliations

  • Asheville Downtown Association, Board of Directors President, Former Executive Committee Secretary
  • American Angus Association
  • American Bar Association — Sections: Antitrust Law; Family Law; Litigation
  • Asheville Area Chamber of Commerce (Leadership Asheville Alumnus, Class XXXIII)
  • Asheville Home Builders Association
  • North Carolina Angus Association
  • North Carolina Bar Association — Sections: Antitrust and Complex Business Disputes Law; Business Law; Construction; Family Law; Litigation
  • Virginia Angus Association
  • Harry C. Martin American Inn of Court

Admitted to Practice

  • North Carolina, 2001
  • All state courts in North Carolina
  • United States District Court for the Eastern, Middle, and Western 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 2021
  • Super Lawyers 2021
  • Recognized by Best Lawyers 2023
  • U.S. News Best Lawyers 2023

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