Orville D. Coward, Jr. was born in Sylva, North Carolina on December 22, 1953. He graduated magna cum laude from Yale University in 1976 with a BA in English and went on to receive his Juris Doctor from the University of North Carolina Law School in 1979, where he reestablished and served as President of Phi Alpha Delta Legal Fraternity. He was admitted to U.S. District Court, Western District of North Carolina in 1979, and to the Fourth Circuit Court of Appeals in 1985.
Mr. Coward began his practice with his father and uncle in 1979 as a trial lawyer. Later, he refined the focus of his practice to business and real estate law. Providing real estate investment and development legal services, some of Mr. Coward’s representative clients include Drake Enterprises, Old Edwards Inn & Spa, Franklin Board of Realtors, Highlands Country Club, Cullasaja Club, and Highlands Falls Country Club. He formerly served as Town Attorney for Town of Highlands and Town of Webster.
Committed to involvement in the legal community, Mr. Coward served as President of the 30th Judicial District Bar (2001-2002), on the Board of Directors for Western North Carolina Legal Services (1986-2004), as a member of the U.S. District Court Western District North Carolina Rules Advisory Committee (1997-2000), and as a member of the North Carolina State Bar Special Committee on Real Estate Practice (1997-1998). Mr. Coward has been a member of the North Carolina State Bar and 30th Judicial District Bar since 1979.
Mr. Coward provides instruction for real estate classes for the Franklin Board of Realtors. He served as a Board Member for the Southwestern Community College Board of Trustees from 1991 to 1995.
Mr. Coward’s office is in Franklin and he lives in Webster and Asheville. He is married to Carolyn L. Coward, who is an attorney with The Van Winkle Law Firm in Asheville. Away from the office, Orville and his family enjoy a variety of the outdoor activities offered in Western North Carolina, including hiking, swimming, and mountain climbing.
Practice areas
Real estate, or real property, law encompasses the area of law that governs various forms of ownership and tenancy of lands and the property on them. I bring a depth of experience that includes efficient handling of all types of real estate transactions, both commercial and residential.
Whether you are just starting out or looking for ongoing legal support for your established business, I can help you interact with the public, other companies, and the government through contracts, negotiation, and transactions. From entity formation to selling your business, business law encompasses a variety of legal disciplines to help protect your business every step of the way.
Languages spoken
English
State | Status | Acquired | Updated |
---|---|---|---|
NC | Active | 1979 | 03/24/2021 |
Legal answers | 0 |
Legal guides | 0 |
Award name | Grantor | Date granted |
---|---|---|
Best Lawyers in America, Land Use and Zoning | Best Lawyers in America | 2021 |
Best Lawyers in America, Real Estate Section | Best Lawyers in America | 2021 |
Best Lawyers in America, Real Estate Section | Best Lawyers in America | 2020 |
Best Lawyers in America, Land Use and Zoning | Best Lawyers in America | 2020 |
Best Lawyers, Litigation - Real Estate | Best Lawyers in America | 2019 |
AV Preeminent Rated | Martindale-Hubbell | 2018 |
---|---|---|
Best Law Firms, Tier 1 Asheville Family Law | Woodward-White, Inc. | 2018 |
Best Law Firms, Tier 1 Asheville Family Law | Woodward-White, Inc. | 2017 |
Best Law Firms, Tier 1 Asheville Family Law | Woodward-White, Inc. | 2016 |
Title | Company name | Duration |
---|---|---|
Partner | Coward, Hicks and Siler, P.A. | 1979 - Present |
Association name | Position name | Duration |
---|---|---|
Franklin Board of Realtors | Attorney | 1980 - Present |
30th Judicial District Bar Association | Member | 1979 - Present |
First United Methodist Church | Administrative Board Member | N/A |
First United Methodist Church | Board of Trustees | N/A |
30th Judicial District Bar Association | President | 2001 - 2002 |
U.S. District Court Western District North Carolina Rules Advisory Committee | Member | 1997 - 2000 |
---|---|---|
North Carolina State Bar Special Committee on Real Estate Practice | Member | 1997 - 1998 |
11th Congressional District, North Carolina Republican Party | Finance Chairman | 1997 - 2009 |
Southwestern Community College | Board of Directors | 1991 - 1995 |
WNC Legal Services | Board of Directors | 1986 - 2004 |
Jackson County Republican Party | Chairman | 1980 - 1981 |
School name | Degree | Graduated |
---|---|---|
University of North Carolina School of Law | JD - Juris Doctor | 1979 |
Yale | BA - Bachelor of Arts | 1976 |
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