Ward and Smith PA

56 Best Lawyers awards

Ward and Smith PA logo

Awarded Practice Areas

Bankruptcy and Creditor Debtor Rights / Insolvency and Reorganization Law

Biography

Lance represents creditors in collections, foreclosures, bankruptcy, Uniform Commercial Code security agreement enforcement, and structured liquidations and workouts. He also represents clients in drafting and negotiating a wide variety of contract, loan, and workout agreements. Lance is certified by the American Board of Certification and the North Carolina State Bar as a Board Certified Specialist in Business Bankruptcy Law. He litigates at all levels of state and federal court, with an emphasis on commercial and corporate fraud, fraudulent transfers, unfair and deceptive trade practices, floor-plan financing, lender liability, factoring, and lease arrangements. Lance has been rated by his peers as being "preeminent" in his respective fields of law.
Ward and Smith PA

56 Best Lawyers awards

Ward and Smith PA logo

Overview

  • Tulane University, J.D., graduated 1995
  • Spring Hill College, BS, graduated 1992

  • Tennessee, 2005
  • Louisiana, 1995
  • North Carolina, 2000

  • Turn Around Management Association - Member
  • American Bankruptcy Institute - Member
  • Harry C. Martin American Inn of Court - Member
  • North Carolina Bankruptcy Council - Member
  • North Carolina Bar Association - Section: Bankruptcy
  • North Carolina Creditors Bar Association - Member
  • Tennessee Board of Professional Responsibility - Member
  • Tennessee Department of Revenue - Member

  • All state courts in North Carolina, Louisiana, and Tennessee
  • Eastern Band of the Cherokee Nation
  • United States Bankruptcy Court for the Eastern, Middle, and Western Districts of North Carolina
  • United States Court of Appeals for the Fourth and Fifth Circuits
  • United States District Court for the Eastern, Middle, and Western District of North Carolina
  • United States District Court for the Eastern, Middle, and Western Districts of Louisiana
  • Tennessee, 2005
  • Louisiana, 1995
  • North Carolina, 2000
  • Turn Around Management Association - Member
  • American Bankruptcy Institute - Member
  • Harry C. Martin American Inn of Court - Member
  • North Carolina Bankruptcy Council - Member
  • North Carolina Bar Association - Section: Bankruptcy
  • North Carolina Creditors Bar Association - Member
  • Tennessee Board of Professional Responsibility - Member
  • Tennessee Department of Revenue - Member
  • Tulane University, J.D., graduated 1995
  • Spring Hill College, BS, graduated 1992
  • All state courts in North Carolina, Louisiana, and Tennessee
  • Eastern Band of the Cherokee Nation
  • United States Bankruptcy Court for the Eastern, Middle, and Western Districts of North Carolina
  • United States Court of Appeals for the Fourth and Fifth Circuits
  • United States District Court for the Eastern, Middle, and Western District of North Carolina
  • United States District Court for the Eastern, Middle, and Western Districts of Louisiana

Client Testimonials

Awards & Focus

Lawyer of the Year Badge - 2025 - Bankruptcy and Creditor Debtor Rights / Insolvency and Reorganization Law Lawyer of the Year Badge - 2023 - Bankruptcy and Creditor Debtor Rights / Insolvency and Reorganization Law
Named "Lawyer of the Year" by Best Lawyers® for:
  • Bankruptcy and Creditor Debtor Rights / Insolvency and Reorganization Law, Asheville (2025)
  • Bankruptcy and Creditor Debtor Rights / Insolvency and Reorganization Law, Asheville (2023)
Recognized in The Best Lawyers in America® 2026 for work in:
  • Bankruptcy and Creditor Debtor Rights / Insolvency and Reorganization Law
Special Focus:
  • COVID-19
Awards:
  • NC Attorney Pro Bono Honor Society Inductee, NC Pro Bono Resource Center, 2020, 2019
  • "Go To Thought Leader," National Law Review, 2019
  • 2019 North Carolina Pro Bono Honor Society

  • "Readers' Choice Top Author," JD Supra, 2023
  • Chambers USA, Bankruptcy/Restructuring-North Carolina, 2022-2023
  • "Super Lawyer," Creditors Debtors Rights, North Carolina Super Lawyers, 2015-2024

  • The Best Lawyers in America, 2015-2024
  • "Legal Elite," Business North Carolina, 2013, 2016, 2018, 2021, and 2024.
  • "Super Lawyer," North Carolina Super Lawyers, 2015-2019

Case History

Transactions
  • Assisted client in foreclosure and sale of trailer-park operations
Assisted client in foreclosure and sale of trailer-park operations in multiple counties
  • Assisted client in recovery of embezzled funds
Assisted client in recovery of embezzled funds through money-tracing and setting aside of multiple fraudulent transfers
  • Assisted client in defense of lender liability claims
Assisted client in defense of lender liability claims based on negligence, breach of contract, breach of fiduciary duty, RICO, and the Unfair and Deceptive Trade Practices Act
  • Assisted client in the sale and assignment of loan documents
Assisted client in the sale and assignment of loan documents, negotiable instruments, and commercial paper
  • Assisted client in placing hotel under receivership
Assisted client in placing hotel under receivership and then selling hotel operations
  • Assisted client in recovery efforts related to fraudulent activity
Assisted client in recovery efforts related to fraudulent activity in factoring relationship
  • Assisted client in Chapter 11 reorganization
Assisted client in Chapter 11 reorganization and 363 sale of lumber mill operation

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