Read the Bold Print: What Palazzo v. Bayview Means for Bankruptcy Disclaimers
October 2, 2026
75 Ward and Smith Attorneys Honored by Best Lawyers for 2027
Ward and Smith is proud to announce that 75 attorneys have been recognized by Best Lawyers in America.
First published in 1983, Best Lawyers is one of the legal profession’s most respected peer-reviewed guides. This year, 62 Ward and Smith attorneys were named to The Best Lawyers in America®, including five selected as “Lawyer of the Year” in their respective practice areas and by geographic locations:
- Lance P. Martin, Bankruptcy and Creditor Debtor Rights/Insolvency and Reorganization Law, Asheville, North Carolina
- Lynwood P. Evans, Medical Malpractice Law – Plaintiffs, Raleigh, North Carolina
- Lauren Taylor Quinn, Family Law, Wilmington, North Carolina
- Jeremy Wilson, Personal Injury Litigation – Plaintiffs, Wilmington, North Carolina
- Michael H. Weaver, Bankruptcy and Creditor Debtor Rights/Insolvency and Reorganization Law, Columbia, South Carolina
Lynwood practices from the firm’s Greenville office, and Lauren practices from its New Bern office. Best Lawyers includes Greenville in the Raleigh metro area and New Bern in the Wilmington metro area.
“We are proud to see this exceptional group of attorneys recognized by their peers. Their dedication, expertise and leadership continue to elevate the standard of excellence across the legal profession,” said Phil Greer, CEO of Best Lawyers.
In addition, 13 Ward and Smith attorneys earned Ones to Watch® honors, which recognize associates and other early-career lawyers for outstanding professional achievement within their practice areas.
“Being named to Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch is an extraordinary achievement. Fewer than one percent of practicing attorneys receive this award, and those selected represent the rising leaders shaping the future of the legal profession,” said Greer.
The firm’s recognized attorneys represent 51 practice areas, reflecting the breadth of talent across Ward and Smith and reinforcing the firm’s reputation as a trusted legal partner for clients across North and South Carolina and beyond.
The Ward and Smith attorneys recognized by the Best Lawyers for 2027 are:
Asheville
Lance P. Martin
Lawyer of the Year
Bankruptcy and Creditor Debtor Rights / Insolvency and Reorganization Law
Hayley R. Wells
Employment Law – Management
Leisure and Hospitality Law
Litigation – Labor and Employment
Litigation – Land Use and Zoning
Leisure and Hospitality Law
Litigation – Labor and Employment
Litigation – Land Use and Zoning
Columbia, SC
Michael H. Weaver
Lawyer of the Year
Bankruptcy and Creditor Debtor Rights / Insolvency and Reorganization Law
Litigation – Bankruptcy
Litigation – Bankruptcy
Greenville, NC
Lynwood P. Evans
Lawyer of the Year
Medical Malpractice Law – Plaintiffs
Personal Injury Litigation – Plaintiffs
Personal Injury Litigation – Plaintiffs
Paul A. Fanning
Banking and Finance Law
Bankruptcy and Creditor Debtor Rights / Insolvency and Reorganization Law
Litigation – Bankruptcy
Bankruptcy and Creditor Debtor Rights / Insolvency and Reorganization Law
Litigation – Bankruptcy
J. Michael Fields
Banking and Finance Law
Bankruptcy and Creditor Debtor Rights / Insolvency and Reorganization Law
Bankruptcy and Creditor Debtor Rights / Insolvency and Reorganization Law
New Bern
S. McKinley Gray, III
Employment Law – Management
Litigation – Labor and Employment
Workers' Compensation Law – Employers
Litigation – Labor and Employment
Workers' Compensation Law – Employers
E. Knox Proctor V
Administrative / Regulatory Law
Banking and Finance Law
Corporate Law
Financial Services Regulation Law
Banking and Finance Law
Corporate Law
Financial Services Regulation Law
J. Troy Smith, Jr.
Bet-the-Company Litigation
Business Organizations (including LLCs and Partnerships)
Commercial Litigation
Corporate Law
Business Organizations (including LLCs and Partnerships)
Commercial Litigation
Corporate Law
Raleigh
Wilmington, NC
75 Ward and Smith Attorneys Honored by Best Lawyers for 2027
Commercial Litigation
Litigation – Trusts and Estates
Litigation – Trusts and Estates
Edward J. “Trip” Coyne, III
Business Organizations (including LLCs and Partnerships)
Litigation – Construction
Litigation – Construction
Ryal W. Tayloe
Commercial Litigation
Construction Law
Litigation – Construction
Litigation – Real Estate
Construction Law
Litigation – Construction
Litigation – Real Estate
Jeremy M. Wilson
Lawyer of the Year
Personal Injury Litigation – Plaintiffs
Medical Malpractice Law – Plaintiffs
Medical Malpractice Law – Plaintiffs
About Best Lawyers in America
Best Lawyers is the oldest and most respected lawyer ranking service in the world. Lawyers on The Best Lawyers in America list are divided by geographic region and practice areas. They are reviewed by their peers based on professional expertise and undergo an authentication process to make sure they are in current practice and in good standing.
About Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch in America
Lawyers recognized in Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch in America are divided by geographic region and practice areas. Candidates can only be considered for one recognition at a time, either “Ones to Watch” or traditional Best Lawyer awards. “Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch” is not a seed list to “The Best Lawyers,” and all hopeful candidates must be nominated, vetted by their peers, and undergo an authentication process before they are recognized by Best Lawyers. Lawyers are not required nor allowed to pay a fee to be listed; therefore, recognition by Best Lawyers is considered a singular distinction.
Related Practice Areas
Related Articles
Stay In Touch
