News + Insights

Grant Osborne, Will Oden, and Ken Gray Among North Carolina's First Board Certified Specialists in Employment Law

Effective December 6, 2024, Ward and Smith attorneys Grant Osborne, Will Oden, and Ken Gray are now recognized by the North Carolina State Bar Board of Legal Specialization as three of only the first twelve ever boa…

Some, But Not All: How the North Carolina Planned Community Act affects Pre-1999 Planned Communities

Written By Justin M. Lewis

In 1999, the North Carolina General Assembly enacted the North Carolina Planned Community Act ("Act") as Chapter 47F of the North Carolina General Statutes.  The Act was intended to establish certain rights for prope…

Attorney Bill Durr Joins Law Firm Alliance Board of Directors

Attorney Bill Durr has been appointed to the Board of Directors for the Law Firm Alliance (LFA), an exclusive, global network of mid-sized law firms focused on collaboration and top-tier client service. Since 2020, Bill h…

What's in a Name Anyway? Trademark Basics for Community Associations

Written By Erica B. E. Rogers

This article explores the essentials of trademark rights, their relevance for community associations, and the balance between protecting these trademarks versus respecting the free speech of homeowners. I. What is a Trade…

Legal Pause: Preliminary Injunction on Corporate Transparency Act Enforcement

Written By Adam M. Beaudoin and Matthew A. Jones

On December 3, 2024, in the matter of Texas Top Cop Shop, Inc., et al. v. Garland, et al., the U. S. District Court for the Eastern District of Texas (Sherman District) issued a preliminary injunction against the Corporate…

Ward and Smith Grows Litigation Practice with Two Key Hires

Ward and Smith is pleased to announce Gavin Parsons and Madison Waller have joined the firm. Both bring experience in complex commercial disputes and will be valuable assets to our clients. Litigator Gavin Parsons joins …