Ward and Smith employment law attorney Will Oden has been honored with induction into Business North Carolina's Legal Elite Hall of Fame for Employment Law.
This accolade is reserved for top vote-getters in each category, reflecting the respect and admiration of peers throughout North Carolina’s legal community.
Will's inclusion in the Hall of Fame recognizes his two decades of contributions to employment law. Recently, he became one of the first attorneys in North Carolina to earn board certification in the field, a milestone he considers a proud career highlight. His leadership in developing the North Carolina State Bar’s employment law specialization program showcases his dedication to advancing the profession.
In his profile featured in Business North Carolina, Will shared insights into his career and personal passions. From the article:
FIRST JOB: Working for Larry “Mr. T” Trollinger at Ken’s Quickie Mart next to Granville Towers in Chapel Hill during college. If you bought a keg from there in 1999, I may have carried it out and loaded it up for you.
WORKING SMARTER: I quit focusing on seeking validation from older partners and began focusing more energy on mentoring and building up younger lawyers, which has made me a better lawyer.
FAVORITE NORTH CAROLINA PLACE: On a boat somewhere in the Pamlico River or Sound.
MISSION ACCOMPLISHED: Working with the State Bar and other employment attorneys to launch a board-certified program in employment law, and become one of the first employment attorneys in N.C. to become board-certified.
STILL ON BUCKET LIST: Going back to Europe with more than a backpack and a Eurail pass, mainly sleeping in hostels and train stations, like I did the summer after graduating college.
STRESS RELIEVER: A walk outside always does the trick. WHY I BECAME A LAWYER: I am the fourth (non-consecutive) generation on my mother’s side to practice law in North Carolina. My father would tell me about Mom’s relatives who had contributed to our community as attorneys, and others who had served our state as judges. That is what initially drew my interest.
ALTERNATIVE CAREER CHOICE: A second, encore career in public service. YOUR EDGE: I strive to be a trusted adviser to our clients. I understand and appreciate that clients want my counsel and good judgment, not just legal advice.
2025 MILESTONES: I will perform my normal 80/20 analysis of the year, and its post-mortem in December, and set goals for 2025 then.
FAVORITE PASSIONS: My family and legacy are my passions and drive everything that I do. Professionally, I have a passion for growth – both my own and of those younger professionals I mentor, which is the most rewarding part of the practice of law for me.
LAW SCHOOL IN 2 OR 3 YEARS: Personally, two-and-a-half years would have been perfect. Even though I was active on Law Review, Moot Court teams, a trial team, Honor Court and took MBA classes at night, the last semester of law school was unnecessary. But two years would have been too short.
You can view Will's Legal Elite Hall of Fame here.
The Hall of Fame also includes Ward and Smith attorneys Joanne Badr, Brad Evans, and Amy Wang, alongside legal luminaries such as David Ward (retired, Counsel Emeritus) and Jim Creekman (retired). Although inductees are no longer eligible for future Legal Elite category awards due to publication rules, they are honored annually on Business North Carolina's Legal Elite list.
