Out of Tune: Trade Secret Theft and Employment Law Case Study
March 31, 2026
Three Ward and Smith attorneys shared practical insights and strategies for responding to the theft of trade secrets, by sharing the example of a…
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The Greatest Hits of Employment Law for In-House Counsel: DEI and Looking Ahead for 2026
March 27, 2026
During Ward and Smith’s annual In-House Counsel Seminar, four attorneys from the firm placed a spotlight on recent topics that are striking a chord…
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Creating Harmony: AI Governance Playbook
March 24, 2026
During Ward and Smith’s annual In-House Counsel seminar, Mayukh Sircar, a cybersecurity, data privacy, and technology attorney, shared comprehensive guidance on the strategic role…
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The Greatest Hits of Employment Law for In-House Counsel: Immigration and the NLRB
March 20, 2026
During Ward and Smith’s annual In-House Counsel Seminar, four attorneys from the firm placed a spotlight on recent topics that are striking a chord…
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The Critical First Hour for In-House Counsel: Why Crisis Communications Can’t Wait
March 13, 2026
In a rapidly evolving crisis situation where time is of the essence, in-house attorneys are often the first people to receive a call from…
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The M&A Symphony for In-House Counsel: Orchestrating Successful Deals
March 10, 2026
During Ward and Smith’s annual In-House Counsel Seminar, Richard J. Crow provided an overview of the continually evolving landscape of mergers and acquisitions. The…
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Rapid Fire Remix: North Carolina Government Relations, Utilities, and Natural Disaster Recovery
March 6, 2026
Three Ward and Smith attorneys shared pitch-perfect insights on complex legal topics with crowd-moving implications, including the state budget and politics, utilities law, insurance…
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2025 In-House Counsel Seminar Insights
March 6, 2026
Practical Insights for Today’s Corporate Legal Leaders Ward and Smith understands that in-house counsel serve as both legal advisors and strategic business partners. The…
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ICE Enforcement Sweeps North Carolina: What Employers Need to Know
November 25, 2025
This past week, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents conducted coordinated enforcement operations across major cities in North Carolina, sparking public outcry, widespread…
Firm News
Media Mention: Ward and Smith Attorneys Featured in The Licensing Journal
July 10, 2025
Ward and Smith attorneys Gavin Parsons, Mayukh Sircar, CIPP/US, and Devon Williams are featured in the June 2025 issue of The Licensing Journal for their…
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Dangerous Traps in the Fourth Circuit: Three Easy Ways to Lose an Issue on Appeal
May 23, 2025
One of the core competencies of a good appellate lawyer is spotting arguments that have been preserved. Whether you’re the appellant or the appellee,…
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Preventing Trade Secret Theft: Proactive Strategies for In-House Counsel
May 6, 2025
Ed. Note: This is the last in a series of articles taken from Gavin Parsons’ CLE presentation for the North Carolina Bar Association’s Antitrust…
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Maximizing Recovery in Trade Secret Cases: A Guide to Damages and Remedies
April 29, 2025
Ed. Note: This is the fourth in a series of articles taken from Gavin Parsons’ CLE presentation for the North Carolina Bar Association’s Antitrust…
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Litigating Trade Secret Cases: A Strategic Guide for In-House Counsel
April 22, 2025
Ed. Note: This is the third in a series of articles taken from Gavin Parsons’ CLE presentation for the North Carolina Bar Association’s Antitrust…
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Understanding Trade Secret Misappropriation: A Guide for In-House Counsel
April 15, 2025
Ed. Note: This is the second in a series of articles taken from Gavin Parsons’ CLE presentation for the North Carolina Bar Association’s Antitrust…
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Trade Secret Protection in 2025: What In-House Counsel Need to Know
April 8, 2025
Ed. Note: This is the first in a series of articles taken from Gavin Parsons’ CLE presentation for the North Carolina Bar Association’s Antitrust…
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The AI Royal Flush: The Five Foundations of Artificial Intelligence, Part 2
February 11, 2025
This is Part 2 of a summary of Ward and Smith Certified AI Governance Professional and IP attorney Angela Doughty’s comprehensive overview of the potential…
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The Five Foundations of Artificial Intelligence for In-House Counsel, Part 1
February 7, 2025
During their annual In-House Counsel Seminar, Ward and Smith Certified AI Governance Professional and privacy and data security attorney Angela Doughty provided a comprehensive…
Firm News
Media Mention: Ward and Smith’s In-House Counsel Seminar Spotlighted in Triangle Attorney At Law Magazine
January 27, 2025
Ward and Smith’s eagerly awaited In-House Counsel Seminar, held in November 2024 at The Umstead Hotel and Spa, has been highlighted in the latest…
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On a Roll: Hot Topics for In-House Counsel
January 24, 2025
We explore several critical areas affecting businesses in our coverage of Ward and Smith’s 2024 In-House Counsel seminar. Initially, we examine anticipated tax policy…
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The DEI Stalemate: Paying the Price for the Wrong Move – Part 2
January 21, 2025
Three Ward and Smith attorneys described what can happen when a DEI initiative goes wrong, placing an organization in a legal stalemate with its…
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The DEI Stalemate: Paying the Price for the Wrong Move – Part 1
January 17, 2025
Three Ward and Smith attorneys described what can happen when a DEI initiative goes wrong, placing an organization in a legal stalemate with its…
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Upping the Ante: New Rules and Regulations in Play for In-House Counsel
January 7, 2025
Four Ward and Smith team members delivered concise, actionable insights on projected governmental and policy changes resulting from the recent elections, the Corporate Transparency…
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The House Advantage: Wisdom from In-House Counsel
January 3, 2025
In a question-and-answer session moderated by Trip Coyne, a Ward and Smith attorney who previously served as the CEO of a multinational consumer products…
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Reflections from the 2024 AJEI Summit: A Focus on Appellate Innovation and Integrity
November 20, 2024
Last week, I had the pleasure of attending the 2024 Appellate Judges Education Institute (AJEI) Summit in Boston, Massachusetts. The Summit was an enriching…
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Strategize Like a Grandmaster: RSVP for Our 2024 In-House Counsel Seminar
October 3, 2024
Calling all in-house counsel! Are you ready to elevate your legal game and stay ahead of the pack in today’s dynamic legal landscape? Ward…
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A Short Refresher On Discrete Legal Issues During Natural Disasters
September 20, 2024
As they say, an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure. In that spirit, what follows are certain pay and leave issues…
Firm News
Join Ward and Smith at the 2024 RTAC-ACC Annual Fall Reception
September 19, 2024
Ward and Smith is excited to invite you to one of the most anticipated events of the year for in-house counsel—the 2024 RTAC-ACC Annual…
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Unlock a Winning Strategy at Ward and Smith’s In-House Counsel Seminar: Pre-register Now!
August 23, 2024
Attention all in-house counsel! It’s time to mark your calendars and get your game faces on because Ward and Smith’s 2024 In-House Counsel Seminar is…
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Decoding Success: A Discussion of the In-House Experience
April 30, 2024
In a question and answer session moderated by Ken Gray, leader of Ward and Smith’s Labor and Employment Practice Group, two in-house attorneys from…
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Generative Artificial Intelligence for Legal Departments
April 9, 2024
In a recent presentation by Ward and Smith attorney Angela Doughty, in-house counsel received an overview of Artificial Intelligence (AI), how it can be…
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A Swift Debriefing: Rapid Fire Legal Update
March 26, 2024
At Ward and Smith’s recent In-House Counsel event, four Ward and Smith attorneys shared insights on a variety of legal topics, including updates from…
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An Interview with EEOC Director Tom Colclough
December 1, 2023
Attendees of Ward and Smith’s recent annual Employment Law Symposium received insights on key employment law developments in an interactive discussion between Emily Massey,…
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Messy “Real Life” LARP: An Employer’s Accident Response Deconstructed for In-House Counsel
November 1, 2023
During Ward and Smith’s annual Employment Law Symposium, three attorneys provided insights on a fictional construction company’s reaction to a serious job site accident.…
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AI: Legal Déjà Vu or Revolution?
June 7, 2023
As the Artificial Intelligence (AI) hype continues, you may feel a sense of déjà vu. But after attending the recent Corporate Legal Operations Consortium…
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Riding the Rapids: Staying Afloat in the Legal Waters
February 22, 2023
Five Ward and Smith attorneys delivered keen guidance on a host of matters pertinent to in-house counsel and company preparation for the imminent economic…
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On the Grid: Data and Privacy Protection Act
February 17, 2023
In a presentation by Ward and Smith attorney Angela Doughty, In-House Counsel Seminar attendees received an overview on a variety of topics relevant to…
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Ward and Smith’s In-House Counsel Seminar Featured in NC Triangle Attorney At Law Magazine
February 1, 2023
The January 2023 edition of NC Triangle Attorney At Law Magazine featured Ward and Smith’s In-House Counsel Seminar. The article was an overview of the firm’s premier…
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Registration Now Open for Ward and Smith’s 2022 In-House Counsel Seminar
November 2, 2022
Ward and Smith’s signature CLE for corporate counsel is back in person. Registration is now open for the 2022 In-House Counsel Seminar on Friday, December…
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Where Can Your Company Be Sued? The Basics of Personal Jurisdiction
September 7, 2022
In recent years, the United States Supreme Court has issued two opinions, in the cases of BNSF Railway Co. v. Tyrrell and Bristol-Myers Squibb Co.…
Firm News
Ken Gray to Moderate RTAC-ACC 2022 Biennial Institute Webinar Panel
February 14, 2022
Labor and employment attorney Ken Gray will moderate a panel during the 2022 Biennial Institute webinar on February 16. The one-day virtual event is hosted…
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Rapid Fire Legal Update on Tax Provisions, E-Discovery, Lobbying Issues, and ADA Compliance
January 26, 2022
We recently provided timely updates on new tax provisions, electronic discovery, lobbying issues, and ADA compliance during Ward and Smith’s 2021 Virtual In-House Counsel Webinar. The…
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Inside Out: Employment Law LARP
January 21, 2022
Three Ward and Smith labor and employment attorneys analyzed a number of real-life situations many employers are dealing with in the current landscape. The…
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Split Decision: SCOTUS Stays OSHA ETS, While Upholding CMS Vaccine Mandate
January 13, 2022
On January 13, 2022, in a 6-3 per curiam opinion in NFIB v. OSHA, the United States Supreme Court ordered the OSHA ETS be…
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Upside Down: Privacy and Data Security LARP
January 12, 2022
A Ward and Smith attorney, Information Technology professional and Privacy Officer outlined a variety of best practices and tips for businesses dealing with data…
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Registration is Now Open for Ward and Smith’s 2021 In-House Counsel Seminar
October 28, 2021
2021 has been a topsy-turvy year filled with an ever-shifting world of rules and regulations. We’re helping in-house counsel sort everything out at our 2021…
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Understanding Attorney-Client Privilege
October 1, 2021
Attorney-client privilege. Most people have heard of it, and most have a general idea of what it means. But what, exactly, is attorney-client…
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Local Counsel in North Carolina’s Federal Courts
February 12, 2021
In federal court, the rules for out-of-state counsel’s participation vary from district to district. For out-of-state counsel seeking to appear in federal court in…
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Register Now for Ward and Smith’s 2020 In-House Counsel Seminar
November 17, 2020
In-house counsel, we’ve got your playbook for 2020 and beyond. Sign-up today for our In-House Counsel Seminar on Thursday, December 3. This virtual event…
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Corporate Counsels Discuss Managing Internal and External Relationships
September 11, 2020
A panel of general counsels discussed how they manage internal and external relationships in the first panel of Ward and Smith’s 2019 In-House Counsel…
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Executives Explore the Ins and Outs of Managing Vendors and Vendor Risk in Compliance-Intensive Industry
September 9, 2020
Three executives from First Citizens Bank explained how they manage vendor and supplier relationships, including issues such as risk management and compliance, during a…
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Panelists Talk Diversity and Inclusion From Personal and Professional Perspectives
August 19, 2020
Two panelists and an employment attorney delved deep into some of the tricky issues that companies can face as they seek to strengthen their…
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Top 10 Technology Trends and Topics for Attorneys to Watch
March 6, 2020
From technical competency to artificial intelligence to cybersecurity, Ward and Smith’s Director of Information Technology Charles Collins counted down the top 10 most critical…
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In-House Counsel Seminar Insights: Group Exercise Highlights Tricky Employment Law Issues
February 7, 2020
Hammertime Security is a nationwide cybersecurity firm whose in-house counsel faces a slew of tricky legal problems: Managers posting unprofessional content on social media…
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Attorneys Provide Updates on Rapidly Changing Aspects of Employment Law
August 16, 2019
Several Ward and Smith attorneys provided updates on some of the fastest-changing areas of employment law during the firm’s 2019 Employment Law Symposium. In…
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NC Attorney General Talks Opioid Epidemic at Employment Law Symposium
July 31, 2019
North Carolina Attorney General Josh Stein identified opioid abuse and cybersecurity as top challenges businesses face, while also giving attendees at Ward and Smith’s…
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From Facebook to FMLA to Furry Friends—Frequently Asked Questions in Employment Law
May 3, 2019
The questions we receive as labor and employment attorneys vary based on many factors such as organizational changes a business is experiencing, new laws…
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Discovery for a Modern Age: E-Discovery, Metadata, and Cost Savings
February 6, 2019
Electronic discovery (“e-discovery”) isn’t the most popular legal topic out there. Even so, as the law becomes more technology-driven, e-discovery is quickly becoming a…
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In-House-Counsel Seminar Insights: Ethics and Professional Responsibility in the #MeToo Era
February 4, 2019
Ward and Smith employment law attorneys Ken Gray and Emily Massey gave corporate attorneys at the firm’s 2018 In-House Counsel Seminar a refresher in…
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In-House Counsel Insights: What In-House Counsel Need to Know About Blockchain
January 25, 2019
A trio of blockchain experts helped corporate attorneys attending Ward and Smith’s 2018 In-House Counsel Seminar understand the ins and outs of blockchain technology.…
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In-House Counsel Seminar Insights: How General Counsel can Successfully Collaborate with Outside Attorneys
January 18, 2019
Three senior in-house attorneys discussed best practices for collaborating with outside counsel during a panel discussion at Ward and Smith’s 2018 In-House Counsel Seminar,…
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How To Avoid Becoming A #MeToo Statistic In 2019
November 30, 2018
A new lawsuit for sexual harassment is filed almost on a daily basis somewhere in the United States. Most of these lawsuits could have…
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Preregister for our 2018 In-House Counsel Seminar
August 31, 2018
North Carolina In-House Attorneys, reserve your seat today for Ward and Smith’s 2018 In-House Counsel Seminar on November 30 at the Umstead Hotel in…
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Key 2018 Legal Updates for Employers: Report from Ward and Smith’s 2018 Employment Law Symposium
July 27, 2018
This is the third in a series of articles summarizing key topics addressed at the Ward and Smith, P.A. 2018 Employment Law Symposium held…
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Employment Law Symposium: Preventing and Dealing with Workplace Harassment
July 11, 2018
This is the second in a series of articles summarizing key topics addressed at the Ward and Smith, P.A. 2018 Employment Law Symposium held in Wilmington, North Carolina. …
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Employment Law Symposium Insights: Dealing with Workplace Discrimination
June 13, 2018
This is the first in a series of articles summarizing key topics discussed at Ward and Smith’s 2018 Employment Law Symposium. Recently, Thomas M.…
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Save the Date: Ward and Smith to Host In-House Counsel Seminar
September 5, 2017
Ward and Smith, P.A. will host a seminar designed for attorneys serving in an in-house counsel role on December 1 at the Umstead Hotel…
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Giving Up the Home Court Advantage: Forum Selection Clauses
August 15, 2011
Litigation is an unfortunate but increasingly common cost of doing business. Where you litigate is often as important as – and sometimes more important…
