Ward and Smith’s Year in Review: Celebrating Excellence, Resilience, and Growth in 2024

As 2024 draws to a close, we reflect on a year defined by Hurricane Helene, many new faces, and industry recognition for our attorneys.

From serving our communities in times of crisis to achieving notable firm-wide and individual honors, Ward and Smith remains steadfast in its commitment to clients, colleagues, and the broader community.

Rising to the Challenge: Gratitude and Hope in Times of Disaster

This year brought unprecedented challenges as Hurricane Helene devastated Western North Carolina, leaving a lasting impact on our communities.

Our Asheville office was forced to close for several days, and even after reopening, it operated without potable water for an extraordinary 52 days. Many of our attorneys and staff served clients throughout the crisis using portable generators and hotspots, staying with friends and family to have internet access, and opening their homes to each other for power, water, or internet. We are in awe of their dedication to their clients and the spirit of teamwork.

Ward and Smith responded with compassion and decisive action, providing critical resources and guidance to those navigating recovery efforts. In our reflection, “Sharing Gratitude and Hope in the Face of Disaster,” we underscored the importance of preparedness, collaboration, and community resilience during times of crisis.

“Moments like these remind us that our work extends beyond the courtroom and the conference room. Supporting our communities when they need it most is a cornerstone of who we are,” shared Brad Evans, Ward and Smith’s Co-Managing Director.

This spirit of service was mirrored in our ongoing commitment to excellence, which earned our firm and attorneys some of the industry’s highest honors this year.

A Year of Distinction: Firm-Wide Recognitions

Ward and Smith’s commitment to delivering exceptional results earned accolades across prestigious platforms:

• Best Law Firms 2025: The firm earned top-tier rankings in multiple practice areas, a testament to the quality of service we provide to our clients.
• Best Lawyers in America 2025: A record-breaking 67 Ward and Smith attorneys were recognized, with many earning recognitions across multiple categories. This distinction highlights our attorneys’ dedication to achieving success for our clients.
• Benchmark Litigation Accolades: Ward and Smith received continued recognition for its excellence in dispute resolution and advocacy. Notably, 11 of our outstanding attorneys were honored in the Benchmark Litigation 40 & Under Hot List for 2024, underscoring the exceptional talent of our rising stars and the bright future of our litigation practice.
• Chambers USA 2024 Rankings: The firm and several attorneys were once again featured prominently in Chambers USA, reflecting our industry leadership and the trust clients place in our team.
• IP Stars: Several attorneys were honored by Managing IP as IP Stars, a prestigious recognition covering contentious and non-contentious IP work in more than 70 jurisdictions.

The consistent recognition across these platforms reaffirms the value we bring to our clients and the legal community at large.

While awards and rankings reflect our success, our attorneys’ leadership and dedication drive these achievements forward.

Leadership in Action

Our attorneys demonstrated exceptional leadership, earning prestigious recognitions and assuming key roles in organizations across the state and nation:

• New Employment Law Specialty: Grant Osborne, Will Oden, and Ken Gray made history as among North Carolina’s first Board-Certified Specialists in Employment Law.
• Key Leadership Roles:
  • Bill Durr joined the Law Firm Alliance Board of Directors.
  • Ellis Boyle was appointed to the Disciplinary Hearing Commission of the North Carolina State Bar.
  • Jamie Norment was named Chair of the Tryon Palace Commission.
  • Angela Doughty was appointed Chair of the NCBA Privacy and Data Security Section.
  • Adam Beaudoin was elected President of the CAI-NC Board of Directors.
  • Drake Brinkley was re-elected Chair of the Greenville ENC Alliance Board of Directors.
  • Amy Wooten secured leadership roles on the NCBA Insurance Law Section Council and the Wake County Bar Association.
  • Erica Rogers was named Vice-Chair of the NCBA Intellectual Property Law Section.
  • Mayukh Sircar was appointed IAPP KnowledgeNet Chapter Chair.
• Community Engagement and Recognition:
  • Mike McIntyre was celebrated with the NCBIWA’s Hero of the Coast Award and the NCBA’s Renaissance Lawyer Award.
  • Charles Ellis was inducted into the NCBA Legal Practice Hall of Fame.
  • Chris Edwards was named to Wilmington Chamber’s 40 Under 40.
  • Jenny Boyer was honored with the JD Supra Readers’ Choice Award.
• Professional Growth and Development:
  • Isabelle Chammas graduated from the Wilmington Chamber’s Leadership Wilmington program.
  • Angela Doughty earned the AI Governance Professional Certification from IAPP, becoming among the first recipients to receive such distinction. 
• Special Recognitions:
  • Co-Managing Directors Brad Evans and Devon Williams were named to NC Lawyers Weekly’s 2024 Managing Partners to Watch.
  • Will Oden earned accolades on NC Lawyers Weekly’s Employment Law Power List and Leaders in the Law.

These achievements highlight individual excellence and reflect the collective leadership that drives our firm forward.

Among those contributions, one career milestone stands out as particularly meaningful.

Celebrating the Career of Jim Wilson

This year, we celebrated the distinguished career of Jim Wilson, co-chair of the Professional Licensing Practice Group, as he prepares for his January 2025 retirement.

For decades, Jim served as a trusted advisor, guiding clients through complex regulatory and licensing challenges with unparalleled professionalism, insight, and dedication. His hard work and expertise earned him a coveted membership in the Litigation Counsel of America. This exclusive, invitation-only society recognizes attorneys who consistently demonstrate exceptional advocacy and litigation skills.

Jim’s leadership not only elevated the firm’s Professional Licensing Practice but also inspired those around him. Reflecting on his impact, Amy Fitzhugh, co-chair of the Professional Licensing Practice Group, shared:

“Jim’s knowledge, mentorship, and unwavering commitment have set a standard of excellence we will continue to uphold. His contributions have shaped this practice group and the next generation of attorneys. We are deeply grateful for his years of service and wish him the very best in retirement.”

Jim leaves behind a strong foundation that ensures continued growth and success for the practice group. His legacy will be felt for years to come. As we celebrate Jim’s legacy, we also look ahead to the future—a future strengthened by the growth of our firm and the addition of new talent.

Growing Stronger Together

In 2024, Ward and Smith welcomed a wave of new talent, expanding our capabilities across core practice areas such as Litigation, Real Estate, Privacy and Intellectual Property, Government Relations, and Trusts and Estates.

Jeff Stoddard	Trip Coyne	Hunter Cornelius	Marianna Baggett McMurry
Gavin Parsons	Madison Waller	Mark Wigley

The Litigation Practice saw significant growth with the addition of attorneys Jeff Stoddard, Trip Coyne, Hunter Cornelius, Marianna Baggett McMurry, Gavin Parsons, Madison Waller, and Mark Wigley, who bring deep experience in complex disputes, civil litigation, community associations law, and appellate matters.

Mary Charles Amerson	John “Jack” Presson	Anna Washa	Hunter Morris
Emily Sullivan	Aulie Strickland	Jacob Britt	Marley Peterson

Similarly, the Family Law Practice welcomed Mary Charles Amerson and John “Jack” Presson in Wilmington to support clients in divorce, custody, and related family disputes.

In other practice areas, the Trusts and Estates team grew with Anna Washa in New Bern and Hunter Morris in Raleigh, who offer strategic estate planning and administration services.

The Real Estate team added Emily Sullivan in Wilmington and Aulie Strickland in Raleigh, enhancing capabilities in transactions, development, and landlord-tenant matters.

Additionally, Jacob Britt joined the Privacy and Intellectual Property team, providing expertise in privacy law compliance and data security, while Marley Peterson strengthened the Government Relations team, assisting clients with procurement, contracts, and policy advocacy at both state and federal levels.

Together, these talented attorneys position Ward and Smith for continued success and growth.

“Welcoming new attorneys is an exciting reminder of our firm’s growth and the opportunities ahead,” stated Brad Evans, Ward and Smith’s Co-Managing Director. “Each new team member strengthens our ability to serve clients with integrity and innovation.”

Looking Ahead with Gratitude

As we celebrate this year’s achievements, we take a moment to thank our clients, colleagues, and communities for their trust and collaboration. Whether through navigating challenges, achieving major milestones, or delivering impactful results, 2024 has been a testament to the resilience, hard work, and dedication that define Ward and Smith.

We step into the new year with gratitude and optimism, ready to face new opportunities with the same unwavering commitment to excellence.

Here’s to a bright and promising 2025!