Overview

Ward and Smith, P.A. is the successor to a practice founded in 1895. Our core values of client satisfaction, reliability, responsiveness, and teamwork are the standards that define who we are as a law firm. Ward and Smith ensures that your legal matters are handled with attentive intelligence by attorneys and staff who work together to build meaningful relationships with our clients. We do this by being knowledgeable in more than 30 practice areas, providing efficient results, and effectively using technology. We are your established legal network with offices located in Asheville, Greenville, New Bern, Raleigh, and Wilmington.

Ward and Smith is committed to building and maintaining relationships with every client because we understand that every client has unique needs. We work to become fully acquainted with the management style and operations of our clients. This enables us to provide timely and effective legal services. Our attorneys are dedicated to providing frequent and full communication to our clients with respect to pending and anticipated legal issues that may affect them. We advocate a proactive and preventive approach to our clients' legal issues so that through proper planning and maintenance our clients can avoid legal difficulties and costs. We believe that this approach provides our clients with responsive, high-quality, and cost-effective legal services.

At Ward and Smith, we work seamlessly as a single team by drawing on attorneys from different practice groups who are best qualified to address clients' problems. The Firm has a strategic objective that at least two attorneys will have extensive, in-depth experience in each area of the law. This assures our clients that their distinct needs always are handled by someone with experience in their matters.

Our Firm is dedicated to leveraging technology and achieving a collaborative environment which fosters growth, innovation, and productivity. Ward and Smith's award-winning business intake process exemplifies its dedication to business process efficiency. We invest in industry best practices and software solutions which enable us to practice optimally. Our Firm adheres to best practices and mitigates risks through the use of leading edge technologies including risk management, records, and case management solutions. Furthermore, Ward and Smith proactively engages in the advancement of technology initiatives through its Technology Advisory Committee comprised of attorneys and key administrative personnel. Investments in cloud technology solutions, videoconferencing, and a robust infrastructure enable legal solutions to be obtained from any of our five offices, offering clients the advantage of an enterprise of legal experts. Our courtroom presentation technology has helped to achieve favorable results for clients and has won praise from our opponents. Mobile solutions supporting all smartphones and tablets ensure our attorneys can maintain constant contact with clients and access work product while out of the office.

Ward and Smith is a full-service law firm. Our dedication to the practice of law and commitment to each and every client is our collective mission and we believe it is what sets us apart from other law firms. We welcome the opportunity to be your first choice for legal services.

Founded:
1895
Size:
118
Magnifying glass with star icon
Practice Areas:
35
Person outline with Best Lawyers logo
Best Lawyers Recognized:
55

Rankings

Regional

Asheville

Tier
1
Asheville
Bankruptcy and Creditor Debtor Rights / Insolvency and Reorganization Law
Tier
1
Asheville
Litigation - Banking and Finance
Tier
1
Asheville
Real Estate Law
Tier
2
Asheville
Commercial Litigation
Tier
2
Asheville
Family Law
Tier
2
Asheville
Tax Law

Rankings

Regional

Asheville

Tier
1
Asheville
Bankruptcy and Creditor Debtor Rights / Insolvency and Reorganization Law
Tier
1
Asheville
Litigation - Banking and Finance
Tier
1
Asheville
Real Estate Law
Tier
2
Asheville
Commercial Litigation
Tier
2
Asheville
Family Law
Tier
2
Asheville
Tax Law
Tier
2
Asheville
Trusts and Estates

Raleigh

Tier
1
Raleigh
Antitrust Law
Tier
1
Raleigh
Bankruptcy and Creditor Debtor Rights / Insolvency and Reorganization Law
Tier
1
Raleigh
Litigation - Construction
Tier
1
Raleigh
Medical Malpractice Law - Plaintiffs
Tier
1
Raleigh
Personal Injury Litigation - Plaintiffs
Tier
1
Raleigh
Trademark Law
Tier
2
Raleigh
Banking and Finance Law
Tier
2
Raleigh
Business Organizations (including LLCs and Partnerships)
Tier
2
Raleigh
Commercial Litigation
Tier
2
Raleigh
Corporate Law
Tier
2
Raleigh
Employee Benefits (ERISA) Law
Tier
2
Raleigh
Health Care Law
Tier
2
Raleigh
Litigation - Bankruptcy
Tier
2
Raleigh
Litigation - Intellectual Property
Tier
2
Raleigh
Real Estate Law
Tier
3
Raleigh
Construction Law
Tier
3
Raleigh
Copyright Law
Tier
3
Raleigh
Employment Law - Management
Tier
3
Raleigh
Tax Law

Wilmington-NC

Tier
1
Wilmington-NC
Commercial Litigation
Tier
1
Wilmington-NC
Construction Law
Tier
1
Wilmington-NC
Corporate Law
Tier
1
Wilmington-NC
Environmental Law
Tier
1
Wilmington-NC
Family Law
Tier
1
Wilmington-NC
Litigation - Construction
Tier
1
Wilmington-NC
Litigation - Trusts and Estates
Tier
1
Wilmington-NC
Medical Malpractice Law - Plaintiffs
Tier
1
Wilmington-NC
Personal Injury Litigation - Plaintiffs
Tier
1
Wilmington-NC
Real Estate Law
Tier
1
Wilmington-NC
Trusts and Estates
Tier
2
Wilmington-NC
Health Care Law
Tier
2
Wilmington-NC
Land Use and Zoning Law
Tier
2
Wilmington-NC
Litigation - Labor and Employment
Tier
2
Wilmington-NC
Litigation - Real Estate
Tier
2
Wilmington-NC
Workers' Compensation Law - Employers

Practice Areas

Ward and Smith PA has been ranked by Best Law Firms for excellence in 28 specialties, reflecting the firm's commitment to delivering outstanding legal services.
Additionally, the firm provides services in these practice areas:
  • Administrative / Regulatory Law
  • Antitrust Law
  • Banking and Finance Law
  • Bankruptcy and Creditor Debtor Rights / Insolvency and Reorganization Law
  • Bet-the-Company Litigation
  • Business Organizations (including LLCs and Partnerships)
  • Commercial Litigation
  • Community Association Law
  • Construction Law
  • Copyright Law
  • Corporate Law
  • Employee Benefits (ERISA) Law
  • Environmental Law
  • Family Law
  • Financial Services Regulation Law
  • Health Care Law
  • Land Use and Zoning Law
  • Litigation - Bankruptcy
  • Litigation - Construction
  • Litigation - Intellectual Property
  • Litigation - Labor and Employment
  • Litigation - Patent
  • Litigation - Real Estate
  • Litigation - Securities
  • Litigation - Trusts and Estates
  • Medical Malpractice Law - Plaintiffs
  • Patent Law
  • Personal Injury Litigation - Plaintiffs
  • Real Estate Law
  • Securities / Capital Markets Law
  • Tax Law
  • Timber Law
  • Trademark Law
  • Trusts and Estates
  • Workers' Compensation Law - Employers

Individuals Recognized in The Best Lawyers in America®

Ward and Smith PA proudly has 55 lawyers recognized for their outstanding professional performance in the 2025 edition of The Best Lawyers in America®. This peer-reviewed honor highlights individual excellence and directly qualifies the firm for consideration in the prestigious Best Law Firms rankings. For over four decades, Best Lawyers has been the gold standard for recognizing top legal talent, serving as the cornerstone for Best Law Firms awards. Learn more about our rigorous Best Lawyers research and selection process.
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Client Comments

A strong relationship between a client and their law firm is key to achieving the best possible outcomes. Open communication, trust, and collaboration ensure that attorneys understand each client’s unique goals and needs. Choosing the right firm means finding a team with the experience, knowledge, and dedication to guide you through every stage of the legal process.
Client comments reflect personal opinions and individual experiences. Every case is different, and outcomes depend on specific facts and circumstances. Past results and testimonials do not guarantee similar outcomes in future matters. For personalized legal advice, consult directly with an experienced attorney who can evaluate your specific situation and provide tailored guidance.
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Awards

Ward and Smith PA is honored to be recognized for excellence by Best Law Firms and other leading legal industry organizations. Our rankings and awards reflect the dedication, skill, and results our attorneys deliver across a wide range of practice areas. In addition to our Best Law Firms awards, Ward and Smith PA has earned accolades from respected national and regional publications for outstanding legal service and professional achievement. Explore our awards below to learn more about how Ward and Smith PA continues to set the standard for quality legal representation.
Chambers USA
Benchmark Litigation
Super Lawyers
Legal Elite
American Board of Trial Advocates
Best Law Firm Rankings

Offices & Contacts

New Bern, NC
1001 College Court
P.O. Box 867
New Bern, NC 28563-0867
United States
Asheville, NC
82 Patton Avenue, Suite 300
P.O. Box 2020
Asheville, NC 28802-2020
United States
Greenville, NC
120 West Fire Tower Road
P.O. Box 8088
Greenville, NC 27835-8088
United States
Raleigh, NC
751 Corporate Center Drive, Suite 300
P.O. Box 33009
Raleigh, NC 27636-3009
United States
Wilmington, NC
University Corporate Center
127 Racine Drive
P.O. Box 7068
Wilmington, NC 28406-7068
United States
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