Amy P. Wang

Education

• J.D., Wake Forest School of Law, 1996
• B.A., University of Virginia, 1992

Representative Experience

• Environmental Compliance Support
  • Advising industrial and municipal clients on compliance with NPDES wastewater and stormwater permits and other regulatory requirements.
• Environmental Contract Negotiations
  • Advising on contracts for the purchase and sale of real estate and businesses, negotiating terms of risk allocation for environmental liability
• Brownfields Redevelopment and Property Redevelopment
  • Advising clients on redeveloping on redeveloping contaminated properties, including negotiating Brownfields Agreements with the Brownfields Redevelopment Section
• Permitting and Regulatory Due Diligence
  
  • Assisting developers and commercial and residential community associations with municipal stormwater requirements
  • Conducting due diligence to identify and manage environmental risks associated with real estate transactions
  • Assisting corporate and banking clients with projects facing environmental assessment, permitting, and enforcement issues
• Permit Transfer Assistance
  • Representing community associations and developers negotiating transfers of State stormwater permits
  • Facilitating the transfer of State stormwater permits during the sale of commercial and residential properties
• Municipal and Industrial Negotiations
  • Representing municipalities enforcing NPDES discharge limits against industry to control pollutant-laden wastewater discharges to Publicly Owned Treatment Works
  • Advising industrial clients on negotiations with municipal authorities over wastewater and stormwater requirements
• Defense Against Environmental Challenges
  • Defending agricultural operations against citizen suit claims under the Clean Water Act and Resource Conservation and Recovery Act
  • Defending Stormwater and CAMA permits for residential development in the Outer Banks against third-party challenges
  • Defending stormwater and CAMA permits against administrative and judicial challenges

Honors and Distinctions*

• The Best Lawyers in America, Best Lawyers^®, 2019-2025
• "Legal Elite," Business North Carolina, Environmental, Hall of Fame, since 2020
• "Legal Elite," Business North Carolina, Environmental, 2015-2016, 2018-2020

Professional and Community Affiliations

• Craven Community College Foundation, board member, (2015-2023)
• CREW Network, Cape Fear Chapter
• Morgan's Message, At-Large Ambassador
• New Bern Area Chamber of Commerce, Leadership Craven Alumnus, Class of 2008
• New Bern Heart Society, chair 2015 Heart Ball for the American Heart Association/American Stroke Association, 
• North Carolina Bar Association — Section: Environment, Energy & Natural Resources Law, Section Chair, 2021 (Council Vice-Chair 2020, Secretary 2019, Treasurer 2018)
• Urban Land Institute Triangle Chapter, member

Admitted to Practice

• North Carolina, 1996
• All state courts in North Carolina
• United States District Court for the Eastern District of North Carolina

About Me

What I admire most about my clients is their spirit – they are energetic, creative, and optimistic, even in the face of legal risks.

 The best thing about Ward and Smith is that we exemplify 1+1=3…our whole is truly greater than the sum of our parts.

Surprising things people don't know about me:

• I lived in Alaska as a child.
• I'd most like to live in Peter Mayle's Provence because there is fresh air, adventure, and plenty of chilled local rosé.
• My favorite character in fiction is Jason Bourne because he is focused, resourceful, and never stops.

"Don't be afraid of fear … Throw caution to the winds. Look fear straightaway in its ugly face and barge forward. And when you get past it, turn around and give it a good, swift kick in the ass." 

~ Dame Helen Mirren