For the second consecutive year, Business North Carolina has selected Co-Managing Directors Brad Evans and Devon Williams for inclusion in its 'Power List' for 2022.
According to the publication, the list "is a collective report on the state’s most influential leaders" and is compiled based on interviews with business community officials, research, and reader suggestions. The resulting list honors individuals in 18 different categories, ranging from agriculture to information technology and law to transportation, who made a particularly noteworthy impact on their communities and profession.
This year, nearly 50 attorneys from across the state were recognized in the law category, which "reflects only a sampling of some of the most powerful, most of whom work for larger firms in the bigger metro areas. This list focuses mainly on those chosen for leadership positions. The magazine published a special featurette with profiles of the honorees. Here are Brad and Devon's profiles.
BRADLEY EVANS
co-managing director | Ward and Smith
Greenville
The Ahoskie native, 46, has a significant case history in civil litigation, trade-secret misappropriation, intellectual property infringement, corporate dissolution and antitrust disputes. He has undergraduate and law degrees from Wake Forest University.
Pre-workday motivation: My morning workout with a great group of friends. Doing something strenuous before the sun comes up makes me feel that I can handle whatever else I may run into that day.
Key to industry success: Responsiveness — our clients must feel that their challenges are our challenges, and we treat them with the same level of attention and urgency that they do.
Best advice: Never do anything halfway. If it’s worth doing, it’s worth doing right.
Three people to share a meal: C.S. Lewis, Ernest Hemingway and Jerry Garcia.
Proud family accomplishment: Someone once wrote of my grandfather, “He loved the land of eastern North Carolina and the people who live close to it.” I would love for that to be said of all of us.
Favorite hobby: Bird hunting in winter and offshore fishing in summer.
Where to entertain a visitor: Dickinson Avenue corridor in Uptown Greenville, which has seen a wonderful rebirth in recent years.
DEVON WILLIAMS
co-managing director | Ward and Smith
Raleigh
Williams, 35, joined Ward and Smith after graduating from Campbell University School of Law. She specializes in labor and employment law. She is a member of the Junior League of Raleigh and the Young Lawyers division of the American Bar Association.
Pre-workday motivation: My rambunctious toddler and coffee.
Best advice: “Things happen for a reason.” — my parents. From an early age, my parents raised me to believe that God is in control, and He has a plan. This advice, faith or life lesson, however you want to interpret it, taught me to see roadblocks and detours as having a purpose in setting me on the right path toward success and happiness. It helps me keep things in perspective and see the bigger picture.
Three people to share a meal: Kate McKinnon, Melissa McCarthy and Rebel Wilson.
Favorite hobby: I love cycling and the great outdoors.
Where to entertain a visitor: We live within walking distance of Bond Brothers Beer Co. in downtown Cary and enjoy taking friends to its courtyard.
