Alex Dale and Gary Rickner Named “Litigation Stars” in Benchmark Litigation 2021

The definitive guide to America’s leading litigation firms and attorneys is recognizing two Ward and Smith attorneys. 

Benchmark Litigation has named Alex Dale and Gary Rickner “Local Litigation Stars” in its 2021 edition. Benchmark’s results are determined through six months of research, which includes extensive interviews with clients to identify the leading litigators and firms. According to the publication, the guide reflects only those attorneys “who are highly regarded by their peers and possess a strong case record and positive client feedback.”

Alex’s practice experience encompasses a broad range of business law matters, including experience representing individuals, start-ups, small businesses, and multi-national companies in a variety of fields. His experience includes intellectual property transactional matters, corporate governance, business organization and succession planning, contract negotiation, and complex business litigation. Alex also has taken numerous cases to final decision in the areas of breach of contract litigation, trusts and estates litigation, securities and investment advisor litigation, corporate litigation, and complex business litigation. He leads the firm’s Appellate Practice Group and Business Litigation Practice Group. 

Gary is a diverse trial lawyer whose litigation practice includes all forms of commercial and business disputes and product liability defense. He has tried to verdict in excess of 70 jury trials, including a wide variety of jury cases in state and federal courts in North Carolina and before the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority. Gary regularly defends banking, development, and private institution clients in matters such as contract breaches, business disputes, fraud, and class action litigation of all types. He also represents manufacturers in product liability matters.

Benchmark exclusively covers the litigation and disputes market in North America, covering the U.S., Canada, and Mexico which differentiates them from other legal directories that cover a broader spectrum of legal services and geography. This allows them to provide a much more in-depth analysis of the litigation and disputes market. Benchmark is also editorially driven, rather than statistically driven, and strives to avoid being over-inclusive.