Bill Martin retired from his legal practice at the end of 2025, concluding a distinguished career dedicated to serving businesses and individuals throughout the region.

Bill asks that past clients or new clients referred to him contact Sam Franck, leader of Ward and Smith’s Real Estate Team, for assistance.

Bill’s experience included representing lending institutions, companies, individuals, and community associations in a wide variety of commercial real estate matters.  Bill regularly represented lenders and borrowers in loan transactions; purchasers and sellers in the negotiation and preparation of real estate letters of intent and purchase agreements; landlords and tenants in the negotiation and preparation of commercial and retail leases; developers in the creation of restrictive and protective covenants for planned communities; developers, community associations, and property owners regarding the interpretation and application of restrictive and protective covenants; and purchasers, owners, and lenders regarding title and title insurance issues.  He was also experienced in the licensing and legal responsibilities of real estate brokers and firms.

Prior to joining the Firm, he served terms as the Chief Federal Public Defender for the United States District Courts for the Eastern and Middle Districts of North Carolina.