Ward and Smith Ranked by Best Law Firms® in 2026
November 6, 2025
Ward and Smith, P.A., has been recognized in the 2026 Edition of Best Law Firms®. The firm was ranked by Best Law Firms in 30 practice…
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68 Ward and Smith Attorneys Honored by Best Lawyers® for 2026
August 21, 2025
Ward and Smith is proud to share that 68 attorneys have been recognized by Best Lawyers in America®. Of those honored, 55 were named to…
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25 Ward and Smith Attorneys Shine in 2025 Super Lawyers and Rising Stars Lists
February 18, 2025
Ward and Smith is thrilled to announce that 25 of its attorneys have earned spots on the prestigious North Carolina Super Lawyers and North…
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A Year in Review: Ward and Smith’s Most Read Legal Insights in 2024
December 23, 2024
As we prepare to close out 2024, we’re taking a moment to reflect on the articles that captured the attention of our readers this…
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Ward and Smith Ranked by Best Law Firms® in 2025
November 11, 2024
Ward and Smith has been honored in the 2025 edition of Best Law Firms®. The firm has made its mark in the legal field by being ranked…
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67 Ward and Smith Attorneys Recognized by Best Lawyers® in America for 2025
August 15, 2024
Ward and Smith is pleased to announce that 67 attorneys have been recognized by Best Lawyers®. Fifty-four attorneys were chosen for inclusion in…
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What Landowners Need to Know About Solar Farm Leases in North Carolina
July 2, 2024
In 2007, the North Carolina General Assembly established the Renewable Energy Efficiency Portfolio Standards (“Standards”), which required that all investor-owned utilities in the…
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Navigating Easement Disputes in North Carolina
May 17, 2024
An easement is a right to make some specific use of land owned by another. Because easements involve the easement owner using land owned…
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21 Ward and Smith Attorneys Honored by North Carolina Super Lawyers in 2024
January 16, 2024
North Carolina boasts an impressive array of legal talent, and this year, we’re thrilled to announce that 21 of our attorneys have been recognized…
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Ward and Smith Ranked in 2024 “Best Law Firms”
November 2, 2023
Ward and Smith has been ranked in the Best Lawyers® “Best Law Firms” list regionally in 27 practice areas. Firms included in the 2024 “Best Law Firms”…
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Ward and Smith Welcomes Five New Attorneys
October 5, 2023
Ward and Smith is delighted to welcome a dynamic cohort of five attorneys. Representing a breadth of capabilities spread throughout multiple offices, these professionals…
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52 Ward and Smith Attorneys Recognized by Best Lawyers in America® for 2024
August 17, 2023
Ward and Smith proudly celebrates an incredible achievement—over half of our esteemed attorneys have gained recognition from one of the nation’s most respected legal…
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Ward and Smith Celebrated in 2023 Edition of Best Law Firms
November 3, 2022
Ward and Smith shines bright in the 2023 edition of “Best Law Firms.” U.S. News & World Report and Best Lawyers® released their annual rankings that recognize…
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Community Association Building Blocks: Community Drainage and Flooding and Architectural Control Parameters
February 4, 2022
Many homeowners in North Carolina experience issues with excessive surface water flow and localized nuisance flooding after rain events. How communities deal with these…
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Land Use and Zoning Basics for Community Associations
January 28, 2022
Recently, I detailed a variety of land use laws and land use regulations pertinent to community associations and community association managers. The webinar, which…
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Register for the Last Community Association Building Blocks Webinar of the 2021
December 6, 2021
Join us for the last Community Association Building Blocks webinar of the year on December 9. Attorney Clint Cogburn will discuss how zoning and land use…
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Sign up Today for NCBA’s Zoning, Planning, & Land Use CLE
April 7, 2021
Registration for the North Carolina Bar Association’s zoning and land use webcast is still open! The one-day CLE, hosted by the Zoning, Planning &…
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Media Mention: Eric Remington Secures $3.1M Settlement in Eminent Domain Case
March 16, 2021
Attorney Eric Remington has secured a $3.1 million settlement for a local developer at the center of an eminent domain claim against the North…
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Short-Term Rentals Regulations: Not Always a Day at the Beach for Municipalities
March 3, 2021
The explosion of short-term rental properties through North Carolina – from mountain cities to coastal destinations, and cities and towns in between – has…
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Ward and Smith adds Depth to Litigation Bench with Clint Cogburn
September 16, 2020
Bolstering the firm’s Litigation and Land Use practice, Ward and Smith today announced the addition of a new attorney to its roster. Clint Cogburn…
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41 Ward and Smith Attorneys Named to “Best Lawyers in America®” for 2021
August 20, 2020
Ward and Smith is proud to announce that nearly half of the firm’s attorneys have been recognized by one of the most respected and trusted…
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Wave Goodbye to the Waiver Defense in Some Landlord/Tenant Disputes
July 17, 2020
On May 1, 2020, in Winston Affordable Housing, LLC v. Roberts, the North Carolina Supreme Court clarified the law surrounding a landlord’s acceptance of…
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North Carolina Extends Certain Real Property Development Approvals
May 8, 2020
This week the General Assembly of North Carolina provided some relief to developers with active development approvals. Pursuant to Senate Bill 704, signed into…
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NC Anti-Indemnity Statute Update, New Changes Now in Effect
August 7, 2019
On July 8, 2019, Governor Roy Cooper signed into law HB 871, significantly altering North Carolina’s anti-indemnity statute, N.C. Gen. Stat § 22B-1 (“Anti-Indemnity…
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They Are Taking Our Common Area!
February 8, 2019
The power of eminent domain, also referred to as condemnation, refers to the power of the government or other quasi-governmental entity, such as a…
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Pre-Closing Due Diligence with Commercial Real Estate Helps Avoid Post-Closing Remorse
July 25, 2018
Your business has taken off, and you’ve been searching for that perfect 7,500 square foot building on an acre of land close to town,…
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Real Property: More Than Meets the Eye
May 30, 2018
Each parcel of real property is a unique asset. It is typically well understood that location is paramount, and that size, elevation, and other…
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Focus on Military Readiness Means More Construction Work on Military Bases
April 25, 2018
The United States military is the most powerful warfighting force in world history. But Secretary of Defense Jim Mattis made a stark observation in…
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NC Department of Transportation Condemnation: What Do They Mean By Permanent Utility Easement?
January 15, 2018
When the North Carolina Department of Transportation (“DOT”) exercises its power of eminent domain, in addition to taking private property in fee simple, it…
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TAKEN! Historic Eminent Domain Decision: NCDOT Must Pay When it Files a Transportation Corridor Protection Map
June 16, 2016
On June 10, 2016 the North Carolina Supreme Court affirmed the decision of the North Carolina Court of Appeals in the case of Kirby…
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Real Estate Developers – Proper Planning is Key to Maximizing The After-Tax Return on a Development Project
August 18, 2015
Before starting a new development project, residential and commercial real estate developers should focus on properly structuring the acquisition and development of the property…
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Supreme Court of North Carolina Recognizes Compensable Right in Approved Subdivision Development Plan
June 25, 2015
Introduction The power of eminent domain, or “condemnation,” is the power of the government and certain regulated public utilities to take private property for…
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Resolving Your Property Zoning Problems
November 12, 2014
What do you do when you’ve found the perfect location for your business or project, but you discover that it’s not properly zoned for…
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How Not To Get Zoned Out Of Your Transaction Or Project
December 4, 2013
Commercial real estate transactions and projects have become more complex and expensive. So, analyzing zoning and land use restrictions prior to the closing has…
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Here Comes the Sun – And It’s Alright (As Long as You Have a Good Solar Lease)
January 30, 2013
The North Carolina General Assembly is requiring North Carolina utilities to purchase energy from renewable sources. The hot sun beating on you and your…
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Is a Restrictive Covenant With a Limitation on “Stories” Enforceable?
December 21, 2012
Consider the following scenario: Your client, a builder of residential homes, purchases six vacant lots in a partially developed subdivision consisting of 100 lots.…
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Do Subjective Preservation Standards Trump Objective Zoning Standards?
June 28, 2012
Numerous North Carolina municipalities and counties have established historic preservation commissions (“HPCs”). Pursuant to N.C. Gen. Stat. Chpt. 160A, Art. 19, Part 3C, HPCs…
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Development Agreements – Long-Term Projects, Extended Vested Rights, and Infrastructure Expense Reimbursements
March 10, 2010
Legal Update As coastal North Carolina continues to see increased interest in living in untapped areas of the “inner banks” and the resulting population…
