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June 2, 2026
38 Ward and Smith Attorneys Recognized as 2026 Business North Carolina Legal Elites
Ward and Smith is pleased to announce that 38 of the firm’s attorneys have been recognized in the 2026 Legal Elite by Business North Carolina, a peer-selected distinction that highlights lawyers across the state for excellence in their respective practice areas.
Each year, Business North Carolina conducts an extensive ballot of attorneys statewide, asking them to nominate the best lawyers they have observed in practice. Fewer than five percent of practicing attorneys in North Carolina are recognized in the Legal Elite.
Among this year’s honorees, Lance Martin was inducted as a Brand New 2026 member of the Legal Elite Hall of Fame for Bankruptcy, reflecting his consistent recognition by peers over multiple years.
In addition, Brad Evans was recognized in two distinct capacities in 2026: he remains a member of the Legal Elite Hall of Fame for Antitrust, while also earning new 2026 Legal Elite recognition for Litigation.
The following Ward and Smith attorneys were recognized in the 2026 Business North Carolina Legal Elite:
Asheville
Lance P. Martin
Legal Elite Hall of Fame - Bankruptcy
Hayley R. Wells
Employment
Greenville
New Bern
Angela P. Doughty, CIPP/US, AIGP, FIP
Intellectual
Lee C. Hodge
Corporate Counsel
Michael J. Parrish
Litigation
Lauren Taylor Arnette Quinn
Family
Raleigh
Phillip H. Cowan
Family
Alexandra E. Ferri
Construction
Michelle Gonzalez
Real Estate Law
Justin T. Hill
Employment
X. Lightfoot
Employment
Evan M. Musselwhite
Construction
Erica B. E. Rogers
Intellectual
Jason T. Strickland
Construction
Devon D. Williams
Employment
Cameron C. Winfrey
Real Estate Law
Wilmington
Mary Charles Amerson
Family
Adam M. Beaudoin
Business
J. Albert Clyburn
Family
Richard J. Crow
Business
Alexander C. Dale
Appellate
Chris S. Edwards
Appellate
Samuel B. Franck
Real Estate Law
Matthew A. Jones
Business
Justin M. Lewis
Real Estate Law
Avery J. Locklear
Employment
John R. Sloan
Tax and Estate Planning
Jeffery I. Stoddard
Construction
Matthew W. Thompson
Tax and Estate Planning
Jeremy M. Wilson
Litigation
Legal Elite Hall of Fame
Ward and Smith is also proud to recognize the firm’s attorneys who have been inducted into the Business North Carolina Legal Elite Hall of Fame. While Hall of Fame members are no longer eligible to win in the same category due to publication rules, they are recognized annually in the Legal Elite list.
Ward and Smith’s Legal Elite Hall of Fame members include:
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