Chris S. Edwards

Chris S. Edwards is a North Carolina State Bar Board Certified Specialist in Appellate Practice, focusing exclusively on appeals in both federal and state courts. As co-chair of his firm’s appellate group, Chris is trusted by clients and trial counsel nationwide to protect favorable outcomes or challenge adverse rulings through persuasive, high-level legal advocacy.

Chris earned his J.D., magna cum laude, from Wake Forest University School of Law in 2014, where he was a member of the Law Review and the Order of the Coif. He also holds a B.A., magna cum laude, from Wake Forest University. His clerkships with the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of North Carolina and the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit provide him with a deep insight into judicial decision-making.

Chris has briefed and argued numerous cases in the Fourth Circuit and other appellate courts, covering a range of areas including constitutional law, intellectual property, administrative law, and more. His experience includes petitions to the U.S. Supreme Court, appellate litigation involving economic incentives, medical malpractice defenses, and high-stakes commercial disputes that encompass intellectual property and contract law.

Beyond handling direct appeals, Chris is a go-to amicus curiae advocate, authoring influential briefs for organizations including the North Carolina Advocates for Justice. Known for distilling complex legal principles into powerful policy arguments, he helps shape appellate case law in state and federal courts. He also partners with trial teams from day one to develop appeal-ready litigation strategies that preserve issues, manage risk, and position cases for success on appeal.

Chris S. Edwards has earned accolades, including being named to Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch, Benchmark Litigation’s “40 & Under List,” and Business North Carolina’s “Legal Elite.” He contributes to the profession through his roles on the NC Bar Association’s Appellate Rules Committee and Litigation Section Council, underscoring his commitment to advancing appellate law.

Law Office Affiliations

• Attorney, Ward and Smith, P.A.
• Member, Federal Bar Association
• Member, North Carolina Supreme Court Historical Society
• Member, North Carolina Bar Association

Licensed State

• North Carolina

Education

• Wake Forest University School of Law
  Juris Doctor (JD)
• Wake Forest University
  BA with Magna Cum Laude

Awards & Badges