News Article

On October 21st, two of Womble Carlyle's senior members, Les Browder and Dewey Wells, were among 49 lawyers who were honored at the "North Carolina State Bar 2004 Fifty-Year Lawyers Luncheon", celebrating the 50th anniversary of these lawyers' admission to the bar and their many contributions to society.

Each of the lawyers honored was asked to provide a biography for inclusion in the luncheon program.

Following are the comments of Les and Dewey.

Leslie E. Browder

In celebration of having completed 50 years of active practice of law and having remained in good standing with the North Carolina State Bar, I submit the following short resume of my professional career.

After successfully passing the bar exam and receiving my law license back in 1954, I erringly hung up my shingle in my hometown of Winston-Salem and began the practice of law in a humble and starving manner.

On June 1, 1956, I was invited to join the firm of Womble Carlyle Sandridge & Rice (now PLLC) with the commitment to head up the firm's real estate area of practice.

Over the years I have enjoyed my client base and watched them succeed without personal notoriety on my part but with prompt professional service and personal care. Also, I have contributed enthusiastically of my time and money to the American, North Carolina, 21st, and 14th Judicial Bar Associations.

More importantly, I fathered two wonderful children who in turn blessed me with five granddaughters who are now all lovely young ladies.

On January 1, 2003, I relocated from the Winston-Salem office of the firm to its Research Triangle Park office where I continue to actively show up daily.

It is a true joy to be able to join the other honorees in having completed the endurance contest. It's similar to having participated in a marathon race in that you do not anticipate on being the winner, but it is a special honor to have completed it. I look with pleasure and warmth upon my active practice and the honorable profession of which I have been a member for all these many years. God bless us all.

Dewey W. Wells

I was born in Raleigh, the son of an A&P store manager. Both parents were from Harnett County tobacco growing families. The company moved managers around frequently; our family moved to Durham, back to Raleigh, then returned to Durham, and then on to Henderson where, because my father left the grocery business, the family stayed. Except for attaining the rank of Eagle Scout, the presidency of the Student Council, and meeting Ann Dixon, the school girl who would become my wife, my life in Henderson would probably be considered unexceptional.

After graduating from Henderson High School I matriculated at Mars Hill College, then a very fine junior college, and went on to Wake Forest where I was a "double deacon" (college and law). I was granted both degrees with honors and, in fact, graduated first in my (very small) law class. Before I agreed to work for the NC Supreme Court I was offered a couple of opportunities at a per month salary which was less than the amount that would eventually be less than my hourly charge.

In those days the Supreme Court had only one law clerk. In addition to doing research for all the justices, I was ex officio executive secretary of the Judicial Council, which afforded me opportunities to lobby for its legislative proposals. After three months on the job the chief justice commended my work and informed me that my salary would be increased to the statutory maximum of $300 per month. I went from that position to experiment with the trust business but quickly decided that professional fulfillment required that I litigate.

Growing up with my father "required" that I learn to hunt and fish. That I did, and lots of it, with my father and other pals in Henderson. During high school we often traveled to Currituck County for such outdoor fun. So, when Ann and I began looking around for a place where we would enjoy living and raising a family, we looked to the northeast. We settled in Elizabeth City and for 27 years I enjoyed having clients and law partners who I will always fondly remember. There I did lots of Boy Scout work and was honored by the Silver Beaver Award. But serving on the NC Wildlife Resources Commission gave me opportunities to realize that I "had" to eventually live in the mountains. Ann agreed. A careful search led to the discovery of a tract of land in Avery County within a few miles of a trout fishing club I had joined. We bought it, then became unwilling to wait until retirement to use it, and so I availed myself of an opportunity to join Womble, Carlyle, Sandridge and Rice at its Winston-Salem office -- a location six hours closer to "the farm." In 1995 we moved to Avery County. We have there enjoyed the beauty and climate of the Blue Ridge mountains, the people there, Christmas tree farming, and of course trout fishing and grouse hunting.

My career has enabled me to experience the diversity of a small firm practice in an eastern town and being partner in the largest law firm in the state. While in Elizabeth City I was honored to be appointed to the Superior Court bench. Later I served on the Bar Association committee which founded Lawyers Mutual Liability Insurance Company, and was on its board until I aged off. I was honored by induction as a Fellow of the American College of Trial lawyers and as a member of the NC General Practice Hall of Fame. I am proud of the legal profession and thankful for the opportunities it has afforded me.