Ward and Smith PA

56 Best Lawyers awards

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Awarded Practice Areas

Labor Law - Management

Biography

Will's practice experience encompasses various areas of employment and workplace-related counseling and civil litigation in both federal and state courts at the trial and appellate levels. He regularly represents employers and employees before the United States Department of Labor (USDOL), the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC), the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), the North Carolina Department of Labor (NCDOL), the North Carolina Industrial Commission (NCIC), the North Carolina Department of Commerce, Division of Employment Security (DES), and federal and state wage and hour divisions. He is a frequent lecturer and advises clients on a wide range of personnel issues, including Title VII, Family and Medical Leave Act, WARN, COBRA, Americans with Disabilities Act, Age Discrimination in Employment Act, and Fair Labor Standards Act.

Additionally, Will serves as a mediator and has been certified by the North Carolina Dispute Resolution Commission since 2013.

Ward and Smith PA

56 Best Lawyers awards

Ward and Smith PA logo

Overview

  • The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, B.A., graduated 2001
  • Campbell University, M.B.A., graduated 2004
  • Campbell University, J.D., graduated 2004

  • Virginia, Virginia State Bar, 2018
  • North Carolina, North Carolina Bar Association, 2004

  • Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM) - Member
  • Safety and Health Council of North Carolina - (member, Board of Directors; Legal Counsel)
  • North Carolina State Bar Disciplinary Hearing Commission - Member
  • North Carolina Society for Human Resource Management - (member, Leadership Council 2011-present; former Government Affairs Co-Chair)
  • North Carolina Bar Association - Sections: Construction Law, Board Liaison; Dispute Resolution (Chair); Education Law; Labor and Employment Law (Section Council member; former contributing writer, Labor and Employment); Litigation; Workers' Compensation
  • North Carolina Bar Association - Board of Governors
  • Campbell Law Alumni Association - Founding Member, Board of Directors
  • Center for Innovation and Entrepreneurship - Inagural Member, Advisory Board

  • United States Supreme Court
  • United States District Court for the Eastern, Middle, and Western Districts of North Carolina
  • United States Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit
  • All state and federal courts in North Carolina
  • Virginia, Virginia State Bar, 2018
  • North Carolina, North Carolina Bar Association, 2004
  • Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM) - Member
  • Safety and Health Council of North Carolina - (member, Board of Directors; Legal Counsel)
  • North Carolina State Bar Disciplinary Hearing Commission - Member
  • North Carolina Society for Human Resource Management - (member, Leadership Council 2011-present; former Government Affairs Co-Chair)
  • North Carolina Bar Association - Sections: Construction Law, Board Liaison; Dispute Resolution (Chair); Education Law; Labor and Employment Law (Section Council member; former contributing writer, Labor and Employment); Litigation; Workers' Compensation
  • North Carolina Bar Association - Board of Governors
  • Campbell Law Alumni Association - Founding Member, Board of Directors
  • Center for Innovation and Entrepreneurship - Inagural Member, Advisory Board
  • The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, B.A., graduated 2001
  • Campbell University, M.B.A., graduated 2004
  • Campbell University, J.D., graduated 2004
  • United States Supreme Court
  • United States District Court for the Eastern, Middle, and Western Districts of North Carolina
  • United States Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit
  • All state and federal courts in North Carolina

Client Testimonials

Will is one of those rare lawyers who are so impressive in their accomplishments and knowledge, yet so humble and gracious in their demeanor. He is a team player: the first to share the name of another attorney who may have more expertise in an area of concern for a client, deepening the bench for clients when he is mentoring newer attorneys, and perhaps most importantly, possessing common sense, a rare gift.

Cheryl Morlote (American Chrome & Chemical)

Will has been absolutely invaluable to us as we've worked through some challenging employment situations at our office. He has always been responsive, understanding, and most of all, knowledgeable and thorough. I highly recommend working with him!

Dan Lewis (First Presbyterian Church of Wilmington)

Awards & Focus

Recognized in The Best Lawyers in America® 2026 for work in:
  • Labor Law - Management
Additional Areas of Practice:
  • Litigation - Labor and Employment
  • Employment Law - Management
Awards:
  • "Labor and Employment Star," Benchmark Litigation, 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024

  • "Legal Elite," Business North Carolina, Employment, 2017, 2020-2024

  • "Super Lawyers," Employment & Labor, North Carolina Super Lawyers, 2020-2024

  • "Leaders in the Law," NC Lawyers Weekly, 2024

  • "Employment Law Power List," NC Lawyers Weekly, 2024

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