Atty. Steven B. "Steve" Long

Atty. Steven B. "Steve" Long

Steve Long leads the firm's Tax and Employee Benefits practice. He has extensive experience working with employers in banking, retail, and technology to establish and maintain retirement plans, executive compensation agreements, stock incentive plans and other employee benefits.

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Profile Summary

About Steven B. "Steve" Long at a glance

Steven B. "Steve" Long is a employment and tax attorney based in Raleigh, North Carolina, practicing at Ward and Smith PA. Educated at Georgetown University (LL.M, 1997) and Georgetown University (J.D., 1991). Recognitions include Best Lawyers in America — Employee Benefits (ERISA) Law (2026), Best Lawyers in America — Tax Law (2026), and Best Lawyers in America — Additional Areas of Practice: (2026). Serands clients in Raleigh, NC and the surrounding metropolitan area.

Verified attorney profile · Updated June 2026

About

  • Steve Long leads the firm's Tax and Employee Benefits practice
  • He has extensive experience working with employers in banking, retail, and technology to establish and maintain retirement plans, executive compensation agreements, stock incentive plans and other employee benefits
  • Steve also advises charities and other tax-exempt organizations regarding their IRC 403(b) and IRC 457 retirement plans, as well as issues related to compliance with Internal Revenue Service and state regulations concerning executive compensation, fundraising and lobbying activities
  • Additionally, he counsels business owners and individuals in retirement and estate planning

Practice Areas Explained

Steven B. "Steve" Long's Areas of Practice

Each practice area below reflects the types of cases Steven B. "Steve" Long handles, with a brief overview of what that area of law covers.

Employment Law

Employment lawyers represent workers in wrongful termination, discrimination, harassment, wage & hour disputes, and severance negotiations.

Steven B. "Steve" Long is one of 169,120 employment attorneys indexed nationally. Browse employment attorneys in North Carolina →

Tax Law

Tax attorneys handle IRS audits, tax debt, international tax, estate planning, and tax court litigation.

Steven B. "Steve" Long is one of 85,302 tax attorneys indexed nationally. Browse tax attorneys in North Carolina →

Jurisdictional Context

Why local counsel matters in North Carolina

Practicing law in North Carolina. Legal matters in North Carolina are governed by state-specific rules of civil and criminal procedure, statutes of limitations, and substantive law. Cases originating in Raleigh are typically filed in the local municipal court or the appropriate North Carolina state district court, depending on subject matter and amount in controversy. An attorney licensed in North Carolina brings working knowledge of local procedural deadlines, judicial practices in this andnue, and the substantive law that applies to cases brought here. Out-of-state attorneys generally cannot represent clients in North Carolina courts without local counsel or pro hac vice admission.

Looking for additional North Carolina attorneys? Browse all attorneys in Raleigh or all attorneys in North Carolina.

Frequently Asked

Common questions about Steven B. "Steve" Long

Where is Steven B. "Steve" Long's law office located?
Steven B. "Steve" Long's law practice is located in Raleigh, North Carolina. The firm is Ward and Smith PA. You can contact the office directly through this profile page.
What practice areas does Steven B. "Steve" Long handle?
Steven B. "Steve" Long focuses on employment, tax. Each practice area listed reflects experience handling cases of that type in North Carolina.
Where did Steven B. "Steve" Long go to law school?
Steven B. "Steve" Long earned their education at (LL.M, 1997); (J.D., 1991); (J.D., 1991).
How can I contact Steven B. "Steve" Long for a consultation?
You can contact Steven B. "Steve" Long directly through this profile page. Click "Ask the Attorney" to submit a question, or "Schedule a Consultation" to book a meeting. Most claimed-profile attorneys respond within one business day.
What awards or recognition has Steven B. "Steve" Long received?
Steven B. "Steve" Long's notable recognition includes: Best Lawyers in America — Employee Benefits (ERISA) Law; Best Lawyers in America — Tax Law; Best Lawyers in America — Additional Areas of Practice:; Best Lawyers in America — Bet-the-Company Litigation; Best Lawyers in America — Commercial Litigation.

Education

LL.M
Georgetown University
- 1997
J.D.
Georgetown University
- 1991
J.D.
Georgetown University
- 1991
B.S.
The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
- 1982

Awards

Best Lawyers in America — Employee Benefits (ERISA) Law
- 2026
Best Lawyers in America — Tax Law
- 2026
Best Lawyers in America — Additional Areas of Practice:
- 2026
Best Lawyers in America — Bet-the-Company Litigation
- 2026
Best Lawyers in America — Commercial Litigation
- 2026
Best Lawyers in America — Special Focus:
- 2026
Best Lawyers in America — COVID-19
- 2026
Best Lawyers in America — Awards:
- 2026
Best Lawyers in America — "Legal Elite,"
- 2026
Best Lawyers in America — Business North Carolina
- 2026
Best Lawyers in America — , Tax/Estate Planning, 2006-2007, 2009-2011, 2018, 2022-2023
- 2026
Best Lawyers in America — The Best Lawyers in America, Employee Benefits (ERISA) Law, 2010-2019; Tax Law 2013-2019
- 2026
Best Lawyers in America — "Legal Elite," Business North Carolina, 2006-2007, 2009-2011, and 2018
- 2026
Best Lawyers in America — "Super Lawyer," North Carolina Super Lawyers, 2010-2021
- 2026
Best Lawyers in America — "2019 Lawyer of the Year," Best Lawyers
- 2026
Lawyer of the Year — Employee Benefits (ERISA) Law (Raleigh)
- 2019
Lawyer of the Year — Employee Benefits (ERISA) Law (Raleigh)
- 2017

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