News + Insights

The Economic Loss Rule - Recently Refined or Redefined by the North Carolina Supreme Court

Written By Evan M. Musselwhite and Amy H. Wooten

Recently, the North Carolina Supreme Court issued a decision impacting the application of the economic loss rule in commercial settings, particularly construction.  This article provides a refresher on the economic l…

Ward and Smith Sponsors 2021 New Bern Heart Ball

The coronavirus pandemic may have changed the venue, but it has not stopped the 2021 New Bern Heart Ball.  The annual event has moved digitally this year as organizers adjust to unprecedented times. Instead of a nigh…

Xavier Lightfoot and Jeremy Wilson to Speak at NCAJ CLE

Attorneys Xavier Lightfoot and Jeremy Wilson will help civil practitioners sharpen their discovery and evidence strategies, virtually, this Friday, January 22.  Xavier and Jeremy are both speaking at the Discove…

Supreme Court to Secured Creditors: "Hold on Loosely, But Don't Let Go."

Written By Lance P. Martin

Filing a bankruptcy petition automatically halts efforts to collect pre-petition debts from the debtor outside of bankruptcy.  This "automatic stay" is a command to halt action, and creditors violate it at their own …

Year in Review: A Letter from Our Co-Managing Directors

More than nine months ago, our community experienced a shut-down that was without equal, and we all began to fight a virus no one fully understood. When we discussed putting together a "Year in Review" to tell the Ward an…

Troubled Waters: Leading Through a Pandemic

Written By Lynwood P. Evans

We've weathered literal storms, such as Hurricane Florence, but nothing quite like the speed and scope of the coronavirus pandemic. Through it all, we have been honored to help our clients, businesses, and communities nav…