Ward and Smith PA

56 Best Lawyers awards

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Awarded Practice Areas

Employee Benefits (ERISA) Law Tax Law

Biography

Steve Long leads the firm's Tax and Employee Benefits practice. He has extensive experience working with employers in banking, retail, and technology to establish and maintain retirement plans, executive compensation agreements, stock incentive plans and other employee benefits. Steve also advises charities and other tax-exempt organizations regarding their IRC 403(b) and IRC 457 retirement plans, as well as issues related to compliance with Internal Revenue Service and state regulations concerning executive compensation, fundraising and lobbying activities. Additionally, he counsels business owners and individuals in retirement and estate planning.
Ward and Smith PA

56 Best Lawyers awards

Ward and Smith PA logo

Overview

  • Georgetown University, J.D., graduated 1991
  • Georgetown University, LL.M, graduated 1997
  • Georgetown University, J.D., graduated 1991
  • The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, B.S., graduated 1982

  • A.E. Finley YMCA - Advisory Board Member 2003-2006
  • Alzheimers North Carolina, Inc. - Board of Directors, 2012-2017
  • Caramore Vocational Rehabilitation Center - Board of Directors, 1998-2004
  • North Carolina Bar Association Tax Section - Chairman, 2008-2009
  • Raleigh Hall of Fame - Board of Directors, 2010-2013
  • Shepherds Theological Seminary - Board of Directors, 2005-2013
  • Triangle Benefits Forum - President, 2009-2010
  • University of North Carolina Board of Governors - Board Member 2013-2021
  • A.E. Finley YMCA - Advisory Board Member 2003-2006
  • Alzheimers North Carolina, Inc. - Board of Directors, 2012-2017
  • Caramore Vocational Rehabilitation Center - Board of Directors, 1998-2004
  • North Carolina Bar Association Tax Section - Chairman, 2008-2009
  • Raleigh Hall of Fame - Board of Directors, 2010-2013
  • Shepherds Theological Seminary - Board of Directors, 2005-2013
  • Triangle Benefits Forum - President, 2009-2010
  • University of North Carolina Board of Governors - Board Member 2013-2021
  • Georgetown University, J.D., graduated 1991
  • Georgetown University, LL.M, graduated 1997
  • Georgetown University, J.D., graduated 1991
  • The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, B.S., graduated 1982

Client Testimonials

Steven B. Long is a consummate professional and is dedicated to making the legal complexities confronting nonprofits easily understandable.

Kory Swanson (John Locke Foundation, Inc.)

Steve Long under promised and over delivered when he assisted our new nonprofit related to 501(C)3 status, incorporation and startup matters in general. Steve continues to be a responsive and trusted advisor on multiple issues. Steve is great to deal with, very competent professionally, and capable of explaining matters in terms non-attorneys can understand.

Les Merritt (Foundation for Ethics in Public Service, Inc.)

Awards & Focus

Lawyer of the Year Badge - 2019 - Employee Benefits (ERISA) Law Lawyer of the Year Badge - 2017 - Employee Benefits (ERISA) Law
Named "Lawyer of the Year" by Best Lawyers® for:
  • Employee Benefits (ERISA) Law, Raleigh (2019)
  • Employee Benefits (ERISA) Law, Raleigh (2017)
Recognized in The Best Lawyers in America® 2026 for work in:
  • Employee Benefits (ERISA) Law
  • Tax Law
Additional Areas of Practice:
  • Bet-the-Company Litigation
  • Commercial Litigation
Special Focus:
  • COVID-19
Awards:
  • "Legal Elite," Business North Carolina, Tax/Estate Planning, 2006-2007, 2009-2011, 2018, 2022-2023

  • The Best Lawyers in America, Employee Benefits (ERISA) Law, 2010-2019; Tax Law 2013-2019
  • "Legal Elite," Business North Carolina, 2006-2007, 2009-2011, and 2018
  • "Super Lawyer," North Carolina Super Lawyers, 2010-2021
  • "2019 Lawyer of the Year," Best Lawyers

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