Ward and Smith is pleased to announce that 67 attorneys have been recognized by Best Lawyers®.
Fifty-four attorneys were chosen for inclusion in the 2025 edition of The Best Lawyers in America®, with four named "Lawyer of the Year." Since its inception in 1983, Best Lawyers® has earned a reputation as the premier guide to legal excellence.
"For more than 40 years, the rigorous methodology of Best Lawyers has ensured the integrity and esteem of our legal recognitions," said Best Lawyers CEO Phillip Greer. "It is with great pleasure that we continue to provide potential clients with the pinnacle measurement of credibility through our Best Lawyers awards as they search for counsel."
Furthermore, 13 attorneys earned Ones to Watch® awards, solidifying Ward and Smith’s reputation as a leading legal force. Ones to Watch® recognizes associates and other lawyers who are earlier in their careers for their outstanding professional excellence in private practice in the United States.
"The unparalleled methodology of Best Lawyers ensures the value and esteem of our legal rankings through both our traditional awards and our expanded 'Ones to Watch' accolades," said Greer. "Clients trust Best Lawyers as a credible and reliable way to identify the most elite lawyers, and it is with great pride that we continue to provide this valued service in the country."
The Ward and Smith attorneys recognized by Best Lawyers for 2025 are:
Asheville
| Joanne Badr | Jenny Boyer | Clint Cogburn | Bill Durr |
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| Zac Lamb | Norman Leonard | Lance Martin | Hayley Wells |
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Greenville
| Drake Brinkley | Charles Ellis | Brad Evans | Lynwood Evans |
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| Paul Fanning | Michael Fields | Merrill Jones | Peter von Stein |
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New Bern
| Angela Doughty | Ken Gray | Bill Lathan | Bill Martin |
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| Cliff Parson | Greg Peacock | Knox Proctor | Lauren Quinn |
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| Eric Remington | Ryan Simmons | Troy Smith | Amy Wang |
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Raleigh
| Ellis Boyle | Art DeBaugh | Michelle Gonzalez | Joe Knott |
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| X. Lightfoot | Steve Long | Emily Massey | Mike McIntyre |
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| Evan Musselwhite | Erica Rogers | Tyler Russell | Mayukh Sircar, CIPP/US |
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| Jordan Spanner | Jason Strickland | Luke Tompkins | Devon Williams |
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| Jim Wilson | Cameron Winfrey | Thomas Wolff | Amy Wooten |
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Wilmington
| B.T. Atkinson | Adam Beaudoin | Jenna Butler | Virginia Carter |
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| Isabelle Chammas | Al Clyburn | Trip Coyne | Richard Crow |
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| Eldridge Dodson | Chris Edwards | Sam Franck | Justin Lewis |
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| John Martin | John Sloan | Ryal Tayloe | Matt Thompson |
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| Allen Trask | Jeremy Wilson | ||
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About Best Lawyers in America®
Best Lawyers is the oldest and most respected lawyer ranking service in the world. Lawyers on The Best Lawyers in America list are divided by geographic region and practice areas. They are reviewed by their peers based on professional expertise and undergo an authentication process to make sure they are in current practice and in good standing.
About Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch® in America
Lawyers recognized in Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch in America are divided by geographic region and practice areas. Candidates can only be considered for one recognition at a time, either "Ones to Watch" or traditional Best Lawyers awards. "Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch" is not a seed list to "The Best Lawyers" and all hopeful candidates must be nominated, vetted by their peers and undergo an authentication process before they are recognized by Best Lawyers. Lawyers are not required nor allowed to pay a fee to be listed; therefore, recognition by Best Lawyers is considered a singular distinction.
