Devon Williams Co-Managing Director & Labor and Employment Attorney Ward and Smith, P.A.
How has demand for your services shifted in the past year? In mid-March 2020, we saw an immediate uptick in our labor and employment practice. Employers were wondering whether they would be able to sustain their workforce. Then the Families First Coronavirus Response Act (FFCRA) legislation came out that impacted employers and the paid leave they needed to provide. Litigation hit somewhat of a pause in March, as did our M&A deal flow. By the summer, however, our business attorneys were busy again, and they have not stopped. Our trusts and estates attorneys, with the added effect of COVID and the inherent expectations of what is to come with the federal administration change, has been bubbling. They have remained that way this year as well, trying to help high-net-worth individuals prepare for possible tax changes down the road. Creditors’ rights has been interesting. When the economy is not doing as well for the majority, their workload is quite busy and they have creative and nuanced issues that they have to address. The practice has remained steady, although lacking the anticipated huge jump stemming from bankruptcies. The moratoriums on enforcing leases or loans were a help, but at some point, banks are going to need to recoup that money. What is your firm’s approach to diversity? Respect and valuing others is baked into the culture of Ward and Smith. The culture of the firm is very much egalitarian. We demonstrate and live teamwork, and it’s not just something we talk about. We call each other partners and, externally, we do not distinguish between junior associates or shareholders. We expect everyone to treat all other employees with respect, regardless of what position they hold in the firm, because they are all essential to what we do. We are actively working to recruit and retain women and minorities in the legal profession. Building the talent pipeline, we also have a new staff internship program building out of our diversity, equity and inclusion objectives. 48
| Invest: Raleigh-Durham 2021 | PROFESSIONAL SERVICES
Workforce numbers have indicated the sudden increase in demand for professional services.
this region (or even outside of this region) has access to high quality, high efficiency legal services right in our backyard. There are precious few legal needs of even the most sophisticated of businesses that can’t be met by the lawyers and law firms in this market. That’s great for the businesses that are here and the businesses that are surely on their way here.” One key aspect of the Triangle’s legal market is its talent pipeline. North Carolina’s Top 5 law schools are all located in the region: Duke University School of Law, the University of North Carolina School of Law, Wake Forest University School of Law, Elon University School of Law and North Carolina Central University School of Law. Bar passage rates of all five institutions range between 73% (Elon University School of Law) and 94% (University of North Carolina School of Law). With litigation expected to be on the rise as the dust settles on the pandemic, be it the likely skirmishes between landlords and tenants, loan delinquencies or government audits related to COVID-19 financial aid programs, legal firms in Raleigh-Durham are preparing for a front-row seat on the action. Part of that landscape also includes consolidation as law firms look to go from strength to strength. Nelson
