Ward and Smith, P.A.

Even an irrevocable trust can be modified or terminated under North Carolina law when circumstances evolve. Our latest article by Hunter Morris and Peter B. von Stein explains how flexibility can be built into estate plans without sacrificing protection.
Read here: buff.ly/bqqZaTR

Great seminars aren’t just about the sessions - they’re about connections. Join us for a day of networking with peers at The Umstead Hotel. Complimentary valet and a full agenda mean you can focus on building relationships and absorbing insights. Register now before seats are gone! buff.ly/G88jepp

Ward and Smith is proud to sponsor this month’s Power Luncheon, hosted by the Greenville-Pitt County Chamber of Commerce! buff.ly/zG9msJk

Proud to partner with Urban Ministries of Wake County as a Friend of the Clinic sponsor—supporting accessible, compassionate care for our community. buff.ly/ZFEsy23

We’re proud to share that Mayukh Sircar has been named CLE Committee Co-Chair of the NCBA Privacy & Data Security Section! buff.ly/d6iiXqO

Trade secret theft and employment disputes collide in the interactive finale session of our In-House Counsel Seminar. Experience the strategic challenges of protecting your company's intellectual property while managing the fallout from employee departures. Grab your ticket today! buff.ly/G88jepp

Congratulations to Hunter Cornelius on being accepted to Leadership Cary! buff.ly/Z418vRo

A Chamber Oyster Roast in Wilmington? Oh yes, thank you! See you there! buff.ly/AGPmYXb

Credibility is earned. We are grateful to be ranked in 30 practice areas across three offices by Best Law Firms® 2026—recognition driven by client and peer feedback. buff.ly/2WdUlkc

We're less than a month away from our In-House Counsel Seminar! Join Eckel & Vaughan’s Harris Vaughan, Albert Eckel, and Pres Davenport as they reveal research, case studies, and a proven First Hour Protocol to keep your organization in control. buff.ly/G88jepp

Tax attorneys Steven Long and David Heeren were recently featured in the NCBarBlog for their article, “Sale of Social Club Assets Upon Liquidation.” buff.ly/eXMd42w

Winning on appeal starts long before you file the notice. Join Chris Edwards on November 12 for the NCAJ’s webinar, “Winning on Appeal Starts at Trial: Issue Preservation and Record Building.” buff.ly/lTq6dDg

Calling all In-House Counsel! Our seminar has Employment Law's Greatest Hits on the track. From riffs on compliance to new regulations shaking the stage, X. Lightfoot and Justin Hill will cover the hottest tracks in employment law. Register today! buff.ly/G88jepp

Thank you to Professional Licensing Attorney Amy Fitzhugh for her continued service to the NCBA. buff.ly/I6zKxzu

Not all AI tools are created equal. The wrong one can expose your business to data breaches, compliance violations, or worse.

Learn how to evaluate AI vendors, protect your data, and negotiate smarter contracts in Part 5 of our AI Spellbook for Leaders series.

Read more: buff.ly/6OYaBqZ

Appellate Attorney Chris Edwards joined the Voices of NCAJ podcast to talk about how trial lawyers can prepare for appellate success long before a case reaches the higher courts.

Listen wherever you get your podcasts or on the NCAJ YouTube channel. buff.ly/ahhsPsr

Phishing, Smishing, and Spoofing, oh my! buff.ly/jfiX0FT

Every great deal requires a skilled conductor. Queue up: The M&A Symphony: Orchestrating Successful Deals. Registration is FREE! buff.ly/G88jepp

’Tis the season for PTO requests, office parties, and compliance questions!

S. McKinley Gray, III and Emily Massey share timely tips to help employers navigate the holidays without the fright. Read the full article, first published by Business North Carolina: buff.ly/vkqAPt1

Business attorney Adam Beaudoin will co-present in the Community Associations Institute’s webinar series. Learn practical strategies for addressing common HOA disputes—from pickleball courts to pet waste—and keeping communities running smoothly. www.wardandsmith.com/news/adam-be...

Melissa Forshey Schwind, Director of Attorney Talent, recently appeared on a panel at the NCCU Law & Technology Annual Summit, joining law firm recruiters from across North Carolina to share practical insights on student and lateral hiring processes.

This Halloween, we’re unpacking the real “hauntings” of AI — ethics, bias, and legal risk.

In our latest installment, we explore how businesses can avoid the tricks and treat themselves to a competitive advantage through responsible, ethical AI practice. Read more: buff.ly/Q2QKuLa

Earlier this month, Erica Rogers joined fellow attorneys for the Pauli Murray Bar Association and NCCU Law Inclusivity in Law Panel at The Pinhook in Durham. buff.ly/WkZyco4

Join AI Governance Attorney Angela Doughty for Finding Your AI Rhythm: Deployable Strategies for In-House Counsel. This session delivers frameworks for AI governance, vendor assessment, and risk mitigation, and qualifies for 1 hour of technology CLE credit. Register today! buff.ly/G88jepp

Government Relations Attorney Jamie Norment will join the panel “Dealing with Drones: Emerging Partnerships at MCAS Cherry Point and JB Charleston” to discuss how installations, communities, and private sector partners are working together on UAS defense and airspace coordination. buff.ly/QIfRXrw

We appreciate the education in advocacy that the NCPLA provides and will be sponsoring their annual conference. buff.ly/4u9zPwO

We're kicking off this year's In-House Counsel Seminar with a power-packed playlist of updates on government relations, utilities, disaster prep, and economic outlook. In just 45 minutes, Ward and Smith attorneys will deliver legal beats you can put into practice. Register today! buff.ly/G88jepp

Congrats to Ward and Smith Attorney Mike McIntyre for being chosen for the Central Selection Committee of the Morehead-Cain Foundation! buff.ly/MrbRZbD

AI isn’t magic—it’s management.

Part 3 of our AI Spellbook for Leaders series dives into practical strategies for adopting AI successfully, from defining clear goals to balancing innovation with compliance.

Read the latest from Angela Doughty, CIPP/US, AIGP: buff.ly/uDUghov

It's not too late to join us on October 25, register now! buff.ly/1ftyIlG