Overview
Ward and Smith, P.A., a growing full-service law firm with offices in North Carolina and South Carolina, seeks a talented Junior Litigation Attorney with one to four years of experience to join our growing Asheville, North Carolina office. This is an excellent opportunity for a driven litigator to develop a sophisticated practice within a collaborative, full-service firm that serves clients across the Carolinas and beyond.
Key Responsibilities
The attorney hired into this position will work closely with experienced trial lawyers across the firm’s litigation practice. The attorney will take on meaningful responsibility from day one, including drafting pleadings and dispositive motions, managing written discovery, taking and defending depositions as experience warrants, arguing motions in state and federal courts, and supporting trial teams in complex matters. The attorney will have direct client contact, the opportunity to develop business acumen, and access to hands-on training and mentoring.
The attorney will handle a varied docket under the supervision of senior attorneys, with opportunities to assume increasing autonomy. Core responsibilities include legal research and analysis; drafting complaints, answers, discovery requests and responses, briefs, and motions; preparing witnesses; participating in mediations and hearings; managing case files and deadlines; coordinating with clients, experts, and co-counsel; and contributing to trial preparation, including exhibit and witness lists, pretrial filings, and courtroom support. The attorney will collaborate across practice groups and offices to deliver practical, business-focused solutions that align with client objectives.
Qualifications
Ideal candidates will have a solid foundation in civil procedure and evidence, excellent legal writing and oral advocacy skills, and sound judgment under pressure. A successful candidate will have hands-on experience with business disputes. Experience managing discovery, taking and defending depositions, and appearing in court is strongly valued.
Candidates must have a J.D. from an accredited law school and be in good standing with the North Carolina Bar. While candidates admitted to the North Carolina Bar are preferred, those with an active license in a different jurisdiction who meet the eligibility requirements to seek transfer admission in North Carolina will also be considered.
Professional Skills and Attributes
Successful candidates will have a collaborative mindset, a strong commitment to client service, and excellent communication and case management skills. The role requires intellectual curiosity, responsiveness, and the ability to work both independently and as part of a team. Candidates should also have a willingness to support and be comfortable litigating across a broad spectrum of legal disputes.
How to Apply
Please submit a resume, cover letter, law school transcript, and a recent writing sample. In your cover letter, highlight your litigation experience, including case roles and representative results. Applications will be considered on a rolling basis.
EEO Statement
Ward and Smith, P.A. is an equal opportunity employer and values a workforce with widely varied perspectives and skillsets. Candidates from all backgrounds are encouraged to apply.