In a recent interview with Law360, Devon Williams, Co-Managing Director of Ward and Smith, shared insights into how Hurricane Helene has affected the firm and the broader legal community in North Carolina.
The catastrophic storm devastated parts of Western North Carolina and has left businesses, including law firms, grappling with unprecedented challenges. Devon told the publication that the firm's Asheville office shut down on September 26 in anticipation of the storm's arrival and has remained closed with no water or internet. But she assured all staff members were safe, with some choosing to stay in their homes while others evacuated.
Despite these operational disruptions, the firm has been fully prepared for virtual operations since 2018. "That really paid off during COVID-19," Devon told Law360, underscoring how the firm's infrastructure allowed them to continue working remotely despite the storm.
Ward and Smith's commitment to supporting their employees through the disaster was a central theme in the interview. "We know that team members going through a traumatic natural disaster will appropriately prioritize their needs, and we certainly do not expect them to put work first at a time like this," Devon said. She emphasized that the firm's unique structure, where attorneys do not have individual ownership of clients, enabled them to seamlessly pass on responsibilities to colleagues in other offices across the state.
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