Will Oden of law firm Ward and Smith's Wilmington office has been elected as a Fellow with the College of Labor and Employment Lawyers (CLEL), according to a news release.
An invitation-only organization, the college describes itself as “honoring the leading lawyers nationwide in the practice of labor and employment law. Fellows of the College are recognized as distinguished members of the labor and employment community who promote achievement, advancement and excellence in the practice by setting standards of professionalism and civility, sharing experience and knowledge, and serving as a resource for academia, government, the judiciary and the community at large.”
Attorneys selected for this honor must first be nominated by a Fellow and then undergo a rigorous vetting process concerning their credentials and past representative matters, the release stated. The college also solicits confidential feedback regarding the nominated lawyer from various opposing counsel with whom the attorney has practiced and judges in front of whom the attorney has appeared, according to the release.
Oden is a North Carolina State Bar Board-Certified Specialist in employment law and worked with the State Bar and other volunteer attorneys to create the employment law specialization, the release stated. He was also recently elected by his attorney peers in the 6th Judicial District (New Hanover and Pender Counties) to represent the district, beginning a three-year term in January 2026 as a...
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