Ward and Smith celebrates a remarkable accomplishment as 31 of our attorneys have been recognized in Business North Carolina's Legal Elite for 2023.
Outstanding among this group was one of the highest ranked attorneys chosen for induction into this year's Legal Elite Hall of Fame for getting the most votes in a specific category.
Since 2002, Business North Carolina has recognized exceptional North Carolina lawyers. Winners are chosen not by the editors but by their peers. This prestigious list is highly selective, with around four percent of the state's attorneys being chosen for inclusion each year, and even fewer receive the Hall of Fame distinction.
The 31 Ward and Smith attorneys recognized are:
Asheville
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| Joanne Badr* Real Estate Law, Hall of Fame |
Bill Durr Construction |
Grant Osborne Employment |
Hayley Wells Employment |
Greenville
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| Drake Brinkley Real Estate Law |
Lynwood Evans Litigation |
Paul Fanning Bankruptcy |
John Martin Family |
New Bern
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| Angela Doughty Intellectual Property |
Lee Hodge Business |
Cliff Parson Real Estate Law |
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| Greg Peacock Tax and Estate Planning |
Lauren Quinn Family |
Ryan Simmons Intellectual Property |
Raleigh
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| Payton Collier Bullard Young Guns |
Steve Long Tax and Estate Planning |
Evan Musselwhite Construction |
Jason Strickland Construction |
Devon Williams Employment |
Wilmington
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| Adam Beaudoin Business |
Jenna Butler Antitrust |
Richard Crow Corporate |
Alex Dale Appellate |
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| Chris Edwards Appellate |
Sam Franck Real Estate Law |
Paige Inman Family |
Will Oden Employment |
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| Ryal Tayloe Construction |
Matt Thompson Tax and Estate Planning |
Allen Trask Litigation |
Jeremy Wilson Litigation |
Legal Elite Hall of Fame
Joanne Badr Morgan made a stunning debut on the Legal Elite list, picking up the most votes in Real Estate Law and joining an exclusive Hall of Fame that includes esteemed Ward and Smith alumni. She joins Jim Creekman (retired), Brad Evans, Amy Wang, and David Ward (Counsel Emeritus). Per Business North Carolina's rules, they are no longer eligible to win in the same category but are recognized each and every year.
