Ward and Smith, P.A., is pleased to announce the opening of its Columbia, South Carolina, office on October 13, 2025, marking a significant milestone in the firm's strategic expansion and its commitment to serving clients throughout the Carolinas.
The Columbia office will be led by Michael H. Weaver, an experienced business and creditors' rights attorney who brings deep knowledge of South Carolina's legal landscape and strong relationships throughout the business community.
"Opening our Columbia office represents an exciting new chapter for Ward and Smith," said Co-Managing Director Brad Evans. "For years, we have served clients with connections to South Carolina, and this expansion allows us to deepen those relationships and better serve the region's growing business community. Columbia's strategic location in the heart of South Carolina makes it an ideal location for us to establish our presence in the state."
Co-Managing Director Devon Williams added, "Michael's leadership will be instrumental in building our practice in Colombia. His extensive experience and strong reputation in South Carolina's legal community position us well to serve clients facing complex business challenges throughout the state."
Ward and Smith, with 120 attorneys, has offices in Asheville, Greenville, New Bern, Beaufort, Raleigh, and Wilmington, North Carolina. The firm's expansion into South Carolina reflects its commitment to providing comprehensive legal services across the region.
The Columbia office will offer clients access to Ward and Smith's key practice areas, with particular strength in bankruptcy and creditors' rights, business and corporate law, commercial litigation, real estate, community associations, estates litigation, employment law, and financial services. Michael will work alongside a robust team of Ward and Smith attorneys already licensed in South Carolina, including:
- B.T. Atkinson, a veteran banking attorney with nearly 30 years of experience who focuses on corporate, securities, and regulatory matters in the financial services space
- Payton Collier Bullard, whose litigation practice includes intellectual property litigation, trade secrets, and trusts and estates matters
- Edward J. "Trip" Coyne, III, who has significant experience in complex and high-stakes litigation matters and provides general business counsel to domestic and international clients
- Avery Locklear, who provides comprehensive labor and employment counsel to businesses across diverse industries
- Marianna Baggett McMurry, who focuses on commercial and land use litigation
- Aulie Strickland, who represents national builders and developers in real estate transactions throughout North and South Carolina
- Emily Sullivan, a real estate attorney focused on real estate transactions, development, and commercial landlord-tenant matters
- Amy Wooten, who co-chairs the firm's Insurance Counseling and Recovery Practice and handles community associations litigation matters
South Carolina clients will benefit from the firm's collaborative approach, which leverages the experience of team attorneys to deliver comprehensive solutions.
"Ward and Smith's culture of teamwork and client service aligns perfectly with what South Carolina businesses need," said Michael Weaver, who will lead the Columbia office. "We're not just opening an office; we're building lasting relationships with clients and becoming an active part of the Columbia business community. I'm honored to lead this effort and excited about the opportunities ahead."
The firm plans to continue growing its Columbia presence by adding attorneys and staff who share Ward and Smith's commitment to client service and the teamwork model. Evans explained, "Our compensation system doesn’t include origination credits for bringing in business. To the contrary, both getting new clients and servicing existing clients is absolutely everybody’s job. From the very brand-new attorney to our most senior named partners, everyone feels an obligation to the whole, and since no one is being incentivized to behave in any other than a client-centered, teamwork approach, we find it works."
Williams agreed, "We know we are not in the business of maximizing revenue. We are in the business of solving legal issues efficiently, practically, and in the best interests of our clients, and if we continue to do that well, our cup will runneth over. The market will see to it. We’ve removed all the disincentives that other firms inadvertently have due to their compensation systems. We've aligned the clients' needs with the attorney's interests."
Founded in 1898, Ward and Smith has grown to become one of the largest law firms from eastern North Carolina. The firm is known for its teamwork approach, which emphasizes reliability, responsiveness, and collaboration across practice areas and offices. With the addition of the Columbia office, Ward and Smith now serves clients from seven locations across the Carolinas.
Ward and Smith Columbia Office
The Meridian Building
1320 Main Street, Suite 300
Columbia, SC 29201
P: 803.766.6150
F: 803.766.4611
For more information, contact:
Michael H. Weaver
mhweaver@wardandsmith.com
803.766.6625
