News + Insights

Cheers to this! Good News for the North Carolina Alcoholic Beverage Industry

Written By Jane Francis Nowell and Tyler J. Russell

Senate Bill 527: ABC Omnibus has been adopted by the North Carolina General Assembly and is heading to Governor Cooper for signature.  This legislation, if signed as expected, will bring significant reforms to the st…

It Just Got More Difficult to Qualify For Subchapter V Bankruptcy

Written By Lance P. Martin

Subchapter V of Chapter 11 of the Bankruptcy Code, which took effect four years ago, creates a more streamlined and less expensive Chapter 11 reorganization path for small business debtors.  Popular from the jump, un…

Mike McIntyre Honored with Renaissance Lawyer Award

Mike McIntyre, Ward and Smith's Senior Advisor for Government Relations and Economic Development, received the prestigious H. Brent McKnight Renaissance Lawyer Award on June 21, 2024, at the North Carolina Bar Association'…

Amy Wooten Appointed to the NCBA Insurance Law Section Council

Attorney Amy Wooten has been appointed to the North Carolina Bar Association's (NCBA) Insurance Law Section Council. As she embarks on this new role, she will have the opportunity to collaborate with other accomplished me…

Isabelle Chammas Graduates from Leadership Wilmington

Ward and Smith is delighted to announce that Isabelle Chammas has recently graduated from the prestigious Leadership Wilmington program, which has been organized annually by the Wilmington Chamber of Commerce for nearly 40…

The Importance of Oral Arguments in Appellate Courts: Insights for Trial and Appellate Practitioners

Written By Chris S. Edwards

Recent stats show an interesting trend in the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit: oral arguments are held in just 13% of cases. This differs from other circuits like the D.C. Circuit, where almost 50% of ca…