Ward and Smith, P.A. recently welcomed our 2016 Summer Associates. The Summer Associate Program is the centerpiece of Ward and Smith's recruiting program and critical to succession planning. Co-Managing Director Ken Wooten commented, "The summer associates will each be with us for six weeks. We're appreciative of the time that they spend with us gaining exposure to life as an attorney at our firm. The real work experience combined with opportunities to develop lasting professional relationships is invaluable for these students."
The summer associates' journey to Ward and Smith began almost a year ago in August 2015, when the firm conducted interviews on law school campuses in search of future teammates. We routinely send interview teams to the law schools at Campbell University, The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, and Wake Forest University to meet applicants. Selected applicants then enter the next phase of the process when they are invited to participate in our callback weekend, which goes beyond the typical interview. Our callbacks are held in Raleigh, and include formal interviews combined with social activities over the course of the weekend. Attorneys from all five of our offices are invited to participate. This process gives Summer Associate candidates the opportunity to learn about the Firm, our practice areas, our attorneys, and our culture. Teresa Harper is the firm's Recruiting Coordinator and says of the process, "Both attorneys and summer associates look forward to the summer learning experience, having already become acquainted during recruiting activities."
2016 Ward and Smith Summer Associates
Sarah Cansler
Sarah Cansler studies law at the University of North Carolina School of Law. She is a staff member of North Carolina Law Review. She was a recipient of a Eugene Gressman & Daniel H. Pollitt Oral Advocacy Award and finished as a Top Four Oral Advocate in the 2015 Holderness Moot Court Competition. She holds a Bachelor of Arts in history and graduated summa cum laude from the University of Tennessee. She recently accepted a clerkship with Judge Greg McGuire in the North Carolina Business Court for the 2017-2018 term.
Ashley Klein
Ashley Klein studies law at the University of Georgia School of Law. She is an editorial board member of Georgia Law Review. She holds a Bachelor of Science in animal science and poultry science and graduated magna cum laude from North Carolina State University.
Emily Massey
Emily Massey studies law at the Campbell University School of Law. She is a member of Campbell Law Review and recently completed an externship with Justice Paul M. Newby. She holds a Bachelor of Science in communication and graduated summa cum laude from North Carolina State University.
James Todd
James Todd studies law at the Campbell University School of Law. He is a member of Campbell Law Review. He holds a Bachelor of Arts in political science and graduated from Rhodes College. He also attended St. Andrews School of the Advocate in St. Andrews, Scotland.
To learn more about Ward and Smith's recruiting program, visit our attorney recruiting page or contact Teresa Harper.
