News + Insights

Save the Date for Ward and Smith's 2020 Construction Conference - Virtual Edition

Ward and Smith's premier event for construction industry executives and professionals is going virtual. The 2020 Construction Conference will be held online on Thursday, October 8 from 7:30 to 9:30 a.m. In light of the …

Media Mention: Eric Remington Discusses Eviction Moratoriums with NC Lawyers Weekly

A wave of evictions is expected in North Carolina now that the statewide moratorium is expired.  North Carolina Lawyers Weekly recently interviewed several attorneys, including Ward and Smith litigator Eric Remi…

Tyler Russell Receives Triangle Business Journal's 2020 "40 Under 40 Leadership Award"

The Triangle Business Journal (TBJ) recently selected Tyler Russell as a "40 Under 40 Leadership Award" recipient for 2020.  The honor recognizes outstanding professionals under the age of 40 for their cont…

Hayley Wells Joins Asheville Brewers Alliance's COVID-19 Legal Roundtable as a Panelist

Attorney Hayley Wells will be a panelist for a virtual COVID-19 Legal Roundtable, hosted by the Asheville Brewers Alliance ("ABA"). The virtual forum is for breweries who still have lingering questions and concerns r…

Adam Beaudoin and James Todd to Speak at the 2020 CAI-NC Annual Conference & Expo

Community associations attorney Adam Beaudoin and James Todd will speak at this year's Annual Conference & Expo, hosted by the Community Associations Institute of North Carolina ("CAI-NC"). The two-day virtual event s…

ECU's Director of Athletics to Speak at July's Greenville-Pitt County Chamber Virtual Power Luncheon

East Carolina University's Director of Athletics, Jon Gilbert, is the main course at this month's Greenville-Pitt County Chamber Power Luncheon.  The virtual forum will focus on how the COVID-19 pandemic continues to…

Media Mention: Evan Musselwhite Featured in Kiplinger Magazine

 The COVID-19 pandemic put a lot of events on hold or canceled them altogether.  So if you had plans to travel, attend a concert, or get married, what can you do to get your money back? Attorney Evan Musselwhite…

Media Mention: Xavier Lightfoot and Will Oden Featured in "Business North Carolina"

"How do I get my workers back to the workplace?" It's a common question frequently asked by employers to our labor and employment attorneys. And recently, attorneys Xavier Lightfoot and Will Oden addressed that speci…

Media Mention: Emily Massey's "New Normal" Article featured in HR Professionals Magazine

Labor and employment attorney Emily Massey wrote an article explaining some of the challenges employers may encounter when allowing employees to work from home.  HR Professionals Magazine published Emily's artic…

Webinar: Protecting Yourself Against EEOC, OSHA, and Workers' Compensation Claims in the COVID-19 Era

On June 25, labor and employment attorneys Ken Gray and Will Oden answered employers' most pressing questions about liability issues related to re-opening and employees returning to work.  During the hour-long Q&…

Media Mention: Ward and Smith's "New Way of Work" Featured in the Wilmington Business Journal

COVID-19 has undoubtedly changed how many industries do business. This new normal was the focus of an article recently published by the Wilmington Business Journal. "A New Way of Work" highlights how different busine…

COVID-19 Update from Ward and Smith

An employee at the New Bern office of Ward and Smith has tested positive for the coronavirus. We immediately notified the employees who came into close contact with the impacted person, and per our policy, those people wi…

COVID Quarantine + Surge in eCommerce = … ADA Discrimination Claims?!

Written By Angela P. Doughty, CIPP-US

While much about COVID-19 and its long-term impact on businesses and the economy is unknown, its effect of a worldwide increase in a reliance on digital means to engage in business transactions is undeniable and unlikely t…

Is Court in Session? An NC Family Law Court Update

During the COVID-19 pandemic, North Carolina Courts postponed most district and court cases until June 1.  On May 21, Chief Justice Beasley provided that there could be a limited reopening of courts to address specif…

Liability Waivers and Questionnaires in the Time of COVID-19

Written By William A. Oden, III

As businesses begin to re-open and re-engage their workforce, and in light of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, it is worth exploring requiring your employees (and in certain circumstances, customers) to execute a liability w…

COVID-19 Eviction Moratoriums: Need-To-Know Information for NC Landlords and Tenants

Written By Juliana S. Inman and Eric J. Remington

The Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act was passed by Congress and signed into law by President Trump on March 27, 2020.  The CARES Act provided immediate economic assistance for American worke…

Ward and Smith Welcomes 2020 Summer Associates

We are pleased to announce the arrival of six new law students for our 2020 Summer Associate Program. These accomplished students will spend the next three weeks applying what they've learned in the classroom to the daily…

Reopening After COVID-19: What Business Owners Should Know

Written By James R. Todd and Allen N. Trask, III

Back to business doesn't mean back to normal. As COVID-19 lockdown restrictions begin to ease, business owners are grappling with new challenges and are being forced to make tough decisions in an environment of great unce…

Charles Collins to Present HighQ Webinar on Innovation

Change can often be a slow process for law firms. But in the blink of an eye, the COVID-19 pandemic forced many out of their comfort zones and into a more technology-driven world. You can learn about how some law fir…

Adam Beaudoin to Present CAI-NC Webinar on Risks & Liabilities for HOAs

As COVID-19 lockdown restrictions ease, many HOA boards and community managers may be weighing the risks of reopening pools, clubhouses, and other amenities.  Ward and Smith attorney Adam Beaudion, Andrew Bateman, a …

How Outdoor Sports and Recreation Operations Can Protect Themselves in a Post COVID-19 Environment

Written By Kristin D. Mitcham

There is a world history of pandemics that, at one point or another, crippled civilizations or dynasties.  In America's more recent history, our country has experienced the Spanish Flu (1918 – 1920), the Asian F…

Don't Dive Right In! Strategies for Opening Community Pools in the Wake of COVID-19

Written By Eric J. Remington and Amy H. Wooten

Ed. Note: On May 21, The NC Department of Health and Human Services issued Interim Guidance for Public Pools and Spas. See our coverage of this most recent guidance here.  State and local governme…

Media Mention: Grant Osborne Discusses Employment Issues with "Architect" Magazine

As the COVID-19 pandemic continues, many industries across different sectors are being forced to make some tough decisions to stay afloat.  Architect magazine, the official journal of the American Institute of A…

New Online Liability Waiver Review Service for Reopening Businesses

Ward and Smith's Outdoor Sports and Recreation team has developed a new online service to help businesses that use liability waivers be certain that those waivers cover issues related to the COVID-19 pandemic. The Liabili…

Local Government Laws Updated to Deal with COVID-19 and States of Emergency

Written By James R. Todd

On Monday, May 4 Governor Roy Cooper signed two COVID-19 relief bills into law: House Bill 1043 and Senate Bill 704.  The laws cover a variety of stimulus, tax, and legislative issues, but they also seek to provide im…

Temporary Relief for NC Taxpayers Under New COVID-19 Legislation

Written By Lee C. Hodge and Peter B. von Stein

Members of the North Carolina General Assembly made good use of their time leading up to the short session that began on April 28, with each chamber filing a COVID-19 relief bill within twenty-four hours of reconvening. Se…

COVID-19 Closed My Business. Can I Still Reorganize in Bankruptcy?

Written By Lance P. Martin

We previously informed you that if you are a small business that needed to file bankruptcy to save your company, then you may be able to take advantage of Subchapter V of Chapter 11 of the Bankruptcy Code.  The new s…

New Online Commercial Lease Review Service for NC Landlords and Tenants

Ward and Smith's Real Estate team has developed a new online service to help landlords and tenants navigate North Carolina commercial leases that are impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. The new service allows for a thoroug…

Lights Out: Ward and Smith Gets Creative to Celebrate the 50th Anniversary of Earth Day at Home

On April 22, 2020, several Ward and Smith attorneys and staff celebrated Earth Day by going dark. Working without lights was one of many ways the firm's Green Team encouraged people to mark the 50th anniversary of this gl…

Ward and Smith Creates Loan "Forgiveness Maximizer™" Report for PPP Borrowers

Ward and Smith is helping small business borrowers maximize their loan forgiveness under the Paycheck Protection Program ("PPP") with the creation of a new custom report. The PPP loan program, currently on the second roun…

Ward and Smith Launches Online Estate Planning "Essentials Package"

Estate planning typically involves in-depth communication between our clients and Ward and Smith's experienced estate planning attorneys.  In this time of uncertainty, however, we've had requests for more immediate, b…

Celebrating National Library Week with a Spotlight on Law Librarian Brandi Osborne

It's National Library Week, an annual initiative in April that recognizes the importance of libraries and librarians. Their vast resources make these spaces a necessity for cities, towns, schools, and even law firms. In …

Tyler Russell Named Raleigh Geographic Team Co-Chair

Ward and Smith is pleased to announce Tyler Russell as the new co-chair of the Raleigh Geographic Team. He will serve with government relations attorney Whitney Campbell Christensen, who has led the team since 2019. "The…

Federal COVID-19 Relief for Agribusinesses

Written By Tyler J. Russell and Allen N. Trask, III

The Coronavirus has been largely indiscriminate in its assault on the business community.  Agriculture is no exception.  It is true that many "agribusinesses," especially those directly involved in food producti…

Desperate Times Call for…Taco Tuesday? Navigating the Use of Food Trucks in HOA Communities During COVID-19

Written By Adam M. Beaudoin

We have now just crossed the halfway point of Governor Cooper's "Stay at Home" Order, which, unless additional action is taken, is set to expire on April 29, 2020. This has been a challenging time for Community Associatio…

Governor Adds New COVID-19 Social Distancing Regulations for Retailers

Written By James R. Todd and Amy H. Wooten

As North Carolina citizens and businesses approach the third week of access, travel, and gathering restrictions, Governor Roy Cooper has now issued an Executive Order which implements additional restrictions aimed primaril…

Whodunnit? Understanding Who Is Responsible for COVID-19 Restrictions

Written By Alexander C. Dale

You've been told to stay at home.  Now, you may be under a nightly curfew, or you are told you must designate one shopper in your household.  Public parks and beaches are closed, and food trucks are prohibited f…

COVID-19 and Defense Contractors: Fighting for the Future

Written By James W. Norment

"We are at war. It's a different type of war, but a war nonetheless." - General Mark A. Milley, US Army, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, on the military's response to COVID-19. "The Defense Industrial Base (…

COVID-19 and Benefits: "Now, a Word from Your HR Director"

Written By Michael D. Christman, MBA, SPHR

By now, most employers have been inundated with information on the CARES Act, which was recently passed in an attempt to stimulate the U.S. economy in light of the COVID-19 pandemic.  However, you may not know that t…

COVID-19 Cancelled My Event. What Now?

Written By Chris S. Edwards

If you're like me, the outbreak of the novel coronavirus—and COVID-19, the disease it causes—has cleared out your social calendar.    Across the country, major events—like Austin's South by Sou…

COVID-19 Relief Package to Include Small Business Loans

Written By Joanne Badr Morgan

On March 25, 2020, the U.S. Senate unanimously voted to advance legislation titled Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (the "CARES Act") to respond to individuals, families, and businesses affected by the co…

Essential Documents: Preparing for COVID-19

Written By Eldridge D. Dodson

In this unprecedented and uncertain time, health experts are providing us with the facts about COVID-19.  Being well-informed enables us to know what measures to take in avoiding exposure to COVID-19 – starting…

Pitt Community College Foundation Changes Format of Spring Fundraiser Due to COVID-19 Outbreak

Every year, the Pitt Community College Foundation (PCC) holds a fundraiser to benefit student scholarships, programs, and educational activities.  Due to the COVID-19 outbreak, the nonprofit has changed the format of…

Ward and Smith Launches COVID-19 Response Team for Client Questions, Concerns

In order to efficiently address the vast and rapidly changing effects COVID-19 will continue to have on our clients and their needs, Ward and Smith has formed a COVID-19 Response Team.   The members of the Team …

7 Guidelines for Parents Sharing Custody of Children During the COVID-19 Pandemic

Written By Lauren Taylor Arnette Quinn

With the Governor's proclamation to close schools and restaurants to dine-in customers, now, more than ever, our children are a primary focus during these trying times.  All parents are faced with the challenges of e…

Ward and Smith's Response to the Coronavirus (COVID-19)

To our clients and friends: Ward and Smith, like so many other businesses in our community, is doing our part to stop the spread of the coronavirus (COVID-19) while ensuring that all of your legal needs will continue to b…