Ward and Smith and several of its attorneys have received notable recognition in the 2024 edition of Benchmark Litigation, the leading authority on law firms and attorneys.
The firm has been ranked as "recommended" in dispute resolution in North Carolina, solidifying its position as a trusted and reputable entity in the legal landscape. This prestigious accolade is bestowed upon a select group of firms that have consistently garnered impressive feedback from both clients and peers.
Moreover, the publication named two of Ward and Smith's attorneys as "Local Litigation Stars," a distinction awarded to lawyers whom their peers and clients have highly recommended for their exceptional work in litigation. Additionally, four attorneys have been honored as "Future Stars," signifying their consistent mentions by both peers and clients and their growing reputation in the market. These individuals are on a trajectory to establish themselves as eminent figures in the market, with a high likelihood of being acknowledged as "Litigation Star" in the upcoming editions.
The attorneys recognized in the 2024 edition of Benchmark Litigation are:
Litigation Stars
Alex Dale
Alex's practice experience encompasses a broad range of business law matters, including experience representing individuals, start-ups, small businesses, and multi-national companies in a variety of fields. His experience includes intellectual property transactional matters, corporate governance, business organization and succession planning, contract negotiation, and complex business litigation. Alex also has taken numerous cases to final decision in the areas of breach of contract litigation, trusts and estates litigation, securities and investment advisor litigation, corporate litigation, and complex business litigation. He leads the firm's Appellate Practice Group and Business Litigation Practice Group.
Brad Evans
Brad is one of the firm's Managing Directors. His experience encompasses various areas of civil litigation in both federal and state courts. He has experience in all aspects of civil litigation, including depositions, hearings, mediations, arbitrations, jury trials, and appeals. Brad advises clients and litigates cases involving all forms of commercial, business, estate, professional licensing, and intellectual property disputes. He regularly represents contractors, subcontractors, and suppliers in construction litigation in state and federal courts.
Future Stars
Michael Parrish
Michael is a civil litigator with a diverse practice before various federal and state courts, including bankruptcy courts and the North Carolina Business Court. He has significant experience at all stages of litigation in cases involving a broad range of commercial, organizational and business, contract, landlord-tenant, collections, trusts and estates, tax, and bankruptcy issues. Michael also frequently handles appellate matters in those areas.
Joe Schouten
Joe is an experienced litigator who focuses on intellectual property disputes. In particular, Joe handles patent, trademark, and copyright infringement claims, as well as claims dealing with misappropriation of trade secrets. His experience includes successful representations in trial courts, appellate courts (including the Federal Circuit), and administrative agencies (such as the Trademark Trial and Appeal Board). Along with intellectual property disputes, Joe also regularly handles complex, high-stakes litigation on behalf of a wide variety of clients.
Allen Trask
Allen began his career as a traditional litigator focused on business and real estate disputes. Over time, his practice has expanded to include clients from a variety of markets with a variety of needs. Litigation and dispute resolution remain essential parts of his daily practice, but he also enjoys advising clients on a broad range of general legal, business, regulatory, and practical matters, craving the opportunity to serve as a trusted advisor. His unique and varied journey through the practice of law has led him to his current roles as co-leader of its Community Associations, Insurance Counseling and Recovery, and Hemp and Cannabis Law Practice Groups, and leader of the Firm's Agribusiness Practice Group.
Jeremy Wilson
Jeremy leads the Personal Injury and Wrongful Death practice. He has extensive experience litigating claims for wrongful death, serious personal injury, and a broad range of civil litigation before state and federal courts. Additionally, Jeremy represents clients in business litigation cases, having represented numerous entities in matters including contract and intellectual property disputes. He also has extensive experience in other areas of litigation, such as trusts and estates and eminent domain cases.
Benchmark exclusively covers the litigation and disputes market in North America, covering the U.S., Canada, and Mexico, which differentiates it from other legal directories that cover a broader spectrum of legal services and geography. This allows them to provide a much more in-depth analysis of the litigation and disputes market. Benchmark is also editorially driven, rather than statistically driven, and strives to avoid being over-inclusive.
