News Article

DeweyWells

Media Contacts: Russell Thomas (202) 857-4517,
Bruce Buchanan (336) 728-7027

• Dewey Wells Featured in Winston-Salem Journal

Womble Carlyle attorney Dewey Wells, a long-time advocate of preserving North Carolina's natural heritage, has received the state’s most prestigious civilian honor from Gov. Mike Easley.

Wells was inducted into the Order of the Long Leaf Pine on Monday, Oct. 22nd, following his final meeting as a Trustee of the North Carolina National Heritage Trust Fund. Wells has served on the Board of Trustees since the fund’s inception 20 years ago, including a seven-year term as board chairman.

The North Carolina National Heritage Trust Fund works to preserve the state's important wilderness areas. Since 1987, the fund has preserved more than 251,000 acres of natural land. Wells has made conservation and preservation a personal mission for decades.

"As an avid game bird hunter and fisherman, he has extensive knowledge of the important natural areas in our state that has proven an invaluable resource over the years as we review projects," said Lisa Riegel, executive director of the fund. "In managing the program, I'll miss his brilliant advice that stems from his legal experience as well as an understanding of the politics in the state. Most of all we will miss his camaraderie."

Wells' service at the state level began 1969, when Gov. Bob Scott appointed him to serve on the Committee on Reorganization of State Government. In 1973, Gov. James Holshouser appointed Wells to the North Carolina Board of Conservation and Development, where he served a two-year term. He spent six years on the North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission beginning in 1975. Wells also helped found the North Carolina Chapter of the Nature Conservancy in 1980 and served on the State Highway Study Commission.

He also has enjoyed a distinguished legal career that began in 1954, including serving as a Superior Court Judge. Wells has been an active member of the North Carolina Bar Association throughout his career and served as the association's president in 1980-81. "There is no one more deserving of this honor than Dewey Wells. Despite his busy and successful legal career, he always has found time to be of service to his home state and its citizens," said Keith Vaughan, Womble Carlyle’s Managing Member. "We are honored to count him as a colleague and a friend."

The Order of the Long Leaf Pine honors North Carolinians who have given extraordinary service to the state throughout their careers. Past recipients of the honor include Charles Kuralt, Michael Jordan, Rev. Billy Graham and Maya Angelou.

*In the organizational structure of a Professional Limited Liability Company, the term member is equivalent to the term partner in general partnership law firms.