Madeline Lipe Williams

Business and Community Associations Attorney
Ward and Smith, P.A.
Email mlwilliams@wardandsmith.com
910.794.4819 Fax 910.794.4877
Post Office Box 7068, Wilmington, NC 28406-7068

Madeline has a versatile practice, with a primary focus on community associations, business law, and land use and zoning matters. 

As a community associations attorney, Madeline frequently advises boards regarding the formation of new community associations, corporate governance, procedural requirements, governing document amendments, fiduciary duties, inspection rights, collection issues, and rule adoption and enforcement.

Madeline also devotes a portion of her practice to helping clients navigate zoning and land use issues, including, but not limited to, zoning and rezoning matters, special use permits, conditional rezonings, and variances.

Additionally, Madeline works with businesses and their ownership and management teams on various transactions and regularly assists companies with business entity formations and general corporate and contractual matters.

In 2019, Madeline was a Ward and Smith summer associate. Prior to joining the firm, She served as a judicial extern for North Carolina Supreme Court Chief Justice Paul Newby, where she wrote legal memoranda and researched state and federal law as it pertains to civil and criminal matters, including business law and community associations matters.

Education

  • J.D., cum laude, Campbell University School of Law, 2020
  • B.S., magna cum laude, Appalachian State University, 2013

Honors and Distinctions*

  • Encounter Wilmington, Fall 2023
  • Calhoun Advocacy Award – Awarded for the best performance in the trial and appellate advocacy program.
  • Order of Barristers – National society recognizing outstanding performance in the art of advocacy.
  • Leadership High Point, Class of 2015

Professional and Community Affiliations

  • CREW Network, Cape Fear Chapter
  • The Community Associations Institute – North Carolina Chapter, Legislative Action Committee, Secretary, delegate, present - 2024
  • Attorney Roundtable, CAI-NC, Committee Chapter

Admitted to Practice

  • North Carolina, 2020

* Please see the following websites for an explanation of the membership standards for the following recognitions: www.bestlawyers.com; businessnc.com/special-sections/legal-elite/; and www.superlawyers.com/north-carolina.

An attorney‑client relationship may only be established through direct attorney‑to‑client communication that is confirmed by the execution of an engagement agreement. The content of any unsolicited email sent to Ward and Smith, P.A., or to any of its attorneys at an email address available on this website, will not create an attorney‑client relationship and the contents of such unsolicited email shall not be considered confidential. Therefore, do not use this website or the email addresses available on this website to provide confidential information about yourself or a legal matter to Ward and Smith or any of its attorneys.

  • American Board of Trial Advocates
  • Legal Elite Business North Carolina 2024
  • Super Lawyers 2021
  • Recognized by Best Lawyers 2025
  • U.S. News Best Lawyers 20234
  • 2024 Chambers USA

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