Attorneys

On Campus Interviews

We meet most Summer Associates and entry-level attorneys through fall on-campus interviews with second- and third-year law students. Ward and Smith routinely sends interview teams to recruit at Campbell University, Duke University, Elon University, the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, North Carolina Central University, the University of Richmond, Wake Forest University, and the College of William and Mary. Students at schools at which we actively participate in on-campus interviews should contact their career services departments to submit application materials. We also welcome inquiries from second- and third-year students at other law schools. For out-of-state applicants, the firm takes advantage of video conferencing capabilities to administer interviews. Every applicant is considered carefully according to his or her cover letter, resume, transcript, and writing sample. Any additional materials that an applicant can provide, such as references and/or recommendations, are also beneficial. Once all submitted materials have been reviewed and interviews have been conducted, callback interviews are extended.

Callback Interviews

Ward and Smith, P.A. prides itself in the callback experience. Instead of the typical one day of interviews, Summer Associate candidates are invited to New Bern for a weekend of interviews and social activities. The extended stay is designed to provide candidates and, if applicable, their spouses/significant others, an opportunity to learn about the firm, our practices, our attorneys and their families, and our culture. Our goal is to assist candidates in making educated career choices.

Summer Associate Program

As the firm draws the majority of our entry-level attorneys from its Summer Associates, the Summer Associate Program is a vital component of our recruiting and hiring efforts. The program typically runs 12 weeks (six weeks for those Summer Associates who opt to split), and offers opportunities to the students to spend time in four of our locations, as time permits. This rotation provides maximum exposure to our offices, practice sections, and attorneys and their families.

In order to allow the Summer Associate to get the most out of the summer experience, we listen to their goals for the summer and do our best to help them to achieve those goals. Each Summer Associate has an assigned BIG, an attorney within the firm who is seen as a “go-to” person to answer questions about the firm, the community, and other "quality of life" issues. The BIG informs the Summer Associate of social/cultural events, entertainment and community activities, and volunteer opportunities. Various social events afford the opportunity for the Summer Associate to become familiar with our personnel and the geographic advantages of each of our office locations. One of our primary goals is to employ those with the potential to be successful attorneys as well as good friends and neighbors.

Another important role within our Summer Associate Program is the HOPE Administrator. Each office has a HOPE Administrator who looks for hands-on opportunities, such as accompanying an attorney to court, attending client interviews, or being involved in deal closings.

Our program requires hands-on work with clients and in a variety of practice disciplines to which we provide frequent evaluations of work product to assist our Summer Associates in their development. This evaluation process is done in a consistent and organized manner as each Summer Associate will receive feedback on every completed project. The firm emphasizes the importance of recognizing growth areas so that the Summer Associates finish their time with us knowing they have expanded their knowledge of the legal field.

Training

Ward and Smith, P.A. is committed to providing younger attorneys with the highest level of training possible. The firm has implemented a training plan which follows the attorney's progress from the first day with the firm. Roles have been established that will keep the new attorney on the right path.

Each new attorney is assigned to a BIG, an attorney within the firm who is seen as a “go-to” person to answer questions about the firm, the community, and other “quality of life” issues. The BIG informs the new attorney about social/cultural events, entertainment and community activities, and volunteer opportunities. Various social events afford the new attorney the opportunity to become familiar with our personnel and the geographic advantages of North Carolina and our office locations.

The new attorney also is assigned a Work Supervisor or Work Coordinator. A Work Supervisor is assigned to those attorneys who join the firm directly from law school, while a Work Coordinator is assigned to those attorneys who join the firm as laterals. Work Supervisors/Work Coordinators are responsible for providing new attorneys with opportunities to work and build relationships with other attorneys within the firm. They will monitor work volume and content and make certain the new attorney is receiving an appropriate number of projects. Work Supervisors/Work Coordinators are also responsible for monitoring work load issues and making sure the new attorney is receiving projects from multiple attorneys and from the various disciplines in which the new attorney is practicing.

After two or three years of employment with the firm, the new attorney is assigned a Mentor. The Mentor will take the place of the new attorney’s Work Supervisor/Work Coordinator. The Mentor is to serve as more of a coach and sounding board rather than a day-to-day “hands-on” supervisor.

New attorneys within our firm receive constant feedback on their projects through the use of a consistent and organized evaluation process. By submitting projects monthly, each new attorney receives immediate feedback on a regular basis. Every six months, new attorneys are given the opportunity to sit down with department heads to review their work product and discuss growth areas. On a yearly basis, new attorneys are asked to complete a self-evaluation and to update their career profiles. This allows the new attorney to reflect on past experiences and look forward to future development.

Our Needs

Ward and Smith, P.A. is one of the best places to work with a law degree (according to America’s Greatest Places to Work with a Law Degree by Kimm Alayne Walton, J.D.). The firm’s reputation and culture, the opportunities to develop professionally, and the five office locations in beautiful North Carolina are a few of the reasons our attorneys express overall satisfaction with Ward and Smith. We offer employees the opportunity to balance challenging work for diverse clients with rewarding personal lives.

Although Ward and Smith hires primarily from its Summer Associate Program, we also seek exceptional third-year and lateral candidates, according to staffing needs. Such needs are a direct result of firm growth and expansion of Practice Sections. The firm conducts ambitious interviews, as every attorney in the firm has the opportunity to interview candidates. Coordinating with numerous schedules is often complex; however, we have seen the benefits of receiving feedback from many of our attorneys as to a candidate’s possible fit within our firm.

If you are motivated and enjoy working on challenging projects in a fast-paced, exciting environment, we may have opportunities for you.

Ward and Smith is an equal opportunity employer. We offer a competitive compensation and benefits package and professional development training/education opportunities aimed at ensuring long-term employment.

If you are interested in attorney career opportunities, please submit your resume to: