Attorney Joanne Badr earned an incredible achievement in her first appearance on the 2023 Business North Carolina Legal Elite List. She is now a Legal Elite Hall of Fame member.
She was awarded this esteemed honor after receiving the most votes from her peers in the Real Estate Law category, making her ineligible to compete again in the same area.
She now joins Jim Creekman (retired), Brad Evans, Any Wang, and David Ward (retired) in the Legal Elite Hall of Fame.
Recently, Business North Carolina asked Joanne and the 15 other 2023 Hall of Famers to share their favorite friends’ group or an enjoyable high school activity. Here's what Joanne had to say:
Practiced law: Five months as a law clerk and 14 years in private practice.
FAMILY: My husband and I have two children. My parents, brother and two sisters all live in Asheville, as well.
High school group: I didn’t really have a specific clique or group — I remember getting along with everyone. I was close with my three siblings, had supportive parents and a great group of friends, and loved my teachers. Mom used to let us bake after dinner and take snacks in to school to pass out to friends, which must have contributed to me being named Miss Congeniality 1999 at A.C. Reynolds High.
One meal to eat forever: Anything that includes potatoes.
Bucket list item: I have many. The most difficult one to pull off is to have dinner with Jay-Z, Beyoncé, and Dave Chappelle, at my parents’ house. Mom is an amazing cook. They would rave about her food while I masked being starstruck.
Biggest risk taken: I tell myself that my job is to avoid risks for myself and my clients.
Random impulse buy: Law school. I did not know how to narrow down my many interests or what direction to take for graduate school. I went to law school because I knew I wouldn’t have to decide exactly what I wanted to do until I actually earned the degree.
Most used emoji: Crying laughing face
Last show binge-watched: “Chef’s Table.” I don’t watch much TV but when I do, it is something food related. I could watch Barefoot Contessa make meals that I’ll never
actually cook myself for hours.Favorite winter activity: Holiday parties and post-holiday dinner parties to get through the February seasonal slump.
Favorite snack: I make a pretty amazing chocolate walnut cookie.
Definition of success: Raising children who know they are loved and capable, spending quality time with family and friends, and being a contributing member to my community and colleagues.
You can read the full article here, and view the full 2023 Legal Elite list here, which includes several Ward and Smith attorneys.
