Law firm Ward and Smith recently announced accolades earned by attorneys at its Wilmington office.
Attorney Paige Inman is now a North Carolina State Bar board-certified specialist in family law, according to a news release. She was one of six attorneys certified Dec. 9 in this area of law by the Board of Legal Specialization, according to a news release.
The State Bar established the Board of Legal Specialization to recognize attorneys who demonstrate special knowledge, skill, and proficiency in various areas of law, the release stated.
To be certified as a board-certified specialist, a lawyer must:
- be licensed in North Carolina and in good standing with the Bar;
- devote a substantial amount of their practice to the specialty;
- complete a certain number of CLE credit hours;
- have favorable evaluations by peers and judges; and
- pass a six-hour exam.
A board-certified specialist must be recertified by the board every five years.
Inman's family law practice is based in the firm's Wilmington office.
"She helps families and individuals navigate complicated family law legal processes during times of family upheaval and transition, both in the context of divorce and death," according to the release. "Her family law practice is multifaceted, encompassing such areas as divorce, mediation, equitable distribution, pre-separation planning, separation agreements, alimony and spousal support, children's rights, domestic violence and neglect, paternity, and prenuptial agreements."
Attorney Chris Edwards was recognized as a board-certified specialist in appellate practice by the Board of Legal Specialization on Dec. 9, the release stated.
Edwards is the second Ward and Smith attorney to become a specialist in appellate practice. Alex Dale was certified in 2021.
Attorney Adam Beaudoin has been granted fellowship in the College of Community Association Lawyers (CCAL).
"More than 4,000 lawyers practice community association law in the United States, yet fewer than 175 attorneys nationwide can distinguish themselves as CCAL fellows," the release stated.
Beaudoin earned this national recognition "due to his outstanding leadership and commitment to the advancement of the legal principles and practical tools necessary for community associations to thrive. He possesses high ethics, strong analytical and writing skills, a substantial depth of experience, and the ability to teach others in the field," the release stated.
According to the release, Beaudoin frequently speaks at local and national events for the Community Association Institute, and he currently sits on the North Carolina chapter's board of directors. Additionally, he leads the firm's Community Association practice group while advising association and country club/yacht club boards and members regarding corporate governance, procedural requirements, governing document amendments, fiduciary duties, inspection right, collection issues and rule adoption and enforcement.
Beaudoin also has experience preparing community association, country club and yacht club entity formation, including articles of incorporation, bylaws, committee charters, organizational minutes, confidentiality policy, communication policy and documentation retention policy.
CCAL was established in 1993 by the Community Associations Institute (CAI), providing a forum for the exchange of information among experienced legal professionals working for the advancement of community association governance.
