J. Drake Brinkley

Drake Brinkley is a commercial real property attorney with Ward and Smith, P.A. in Greenville and Morehead City, North Carolina. He advises developers, investors, landlords, tenants, and businesses on real estate development, acquisition, disposition, leasing, planning, construction, financing, and land use matters. Brinkley’s practice also includes zoning entitlements, commercial landlord-tenant representation, economic development, and real property issues related to mergers, acquisitions, and divestitures.

Brinkley earned his J.D. from Campbell Law School in 2006, where he served as articles editor of the Campbell Law Review and participated in Campbell Law Moot Court. He also received a B.S. in civil engineering, magna cum laude, from North Carolina State University in 2002. His engineering background strengthens his ability to assist clients with development, construction, entitlement, and real estate transaction issues.

Brinkley represents clients in a wide range of commercial real estate matters involving retail, multifamily, industrial, office, mixed-use, and solar farm projects. His experience includes tax-deferred exchanges, lease negotiations, land development approvals, special use permits, subdivision matters, and real property components of business transactions. He has also handled matters involving major land sales, multifamily acquisitions and dispositions, convenience store development, economic development parcels, and shopping center assemblages.

Drake Brinkley has been recognized by The Best Lawyers in America, Business North Carolina’s Legal Elite for real estate law, and North Carolina Super Lawyers as a Rising Star. He also serves in leadership and community roles with the Greenville ENC Alliance, the Greenville-Pitt County Chamber of Commerce, and the North Carolina State University College of Engineering Foundation Board of Directors. Through his practice, Brinkley combines technical knowledge, business judgment, and practical real estate guidance.

Law Office Affiliations

• Attorney, Ward and Smith, P.A.
• Member, North Carolina Bar Association

Licensed State

• North Carolina

Education

• Campbell Law School
  Juris Doctor (JD)
•  North Carolina State University
  Bachelor of Science (BS)

Awards & Badges