Coward Hicks & Siler Continues to Lead Western North Carolina in Real Estate Law

Coward Hicks & Siler PA is proud to announce that two of its attorneys have been named to the 2026 edition of The Best Lawyers in America®. Kimberly R. Coward, of the firm’s Cashiers office, and Orville Coward Jr., based in the Franklin office, have both been recognized in the category of Real Estate Law.

Kimberly Coward has been honored in Best Lawyers in America for Real Estate Law multiple times, a reflection of her leadership in guiding clients through complex property transactions in western North Carolina’s unique and often high-stakes real estate market. From vacation home closings to multi-parcel development deals, Kimberly brings clarity and precision to every matter she touches.

Orville Coward Jr., a name well known in the region’s legal and governmental circles, is likewise recognized in this year’s Real Estate Law section. He has long served as counsel for county governments, developers, landowners, and community stakeholders in a career spanning decades. Orville is also listed in the Litigation: Land Use and Litigation: Real Estate sections of this year’s edition, but focuses his professional promotion on the transactional side of his practice.

Together, Kimberly and Orville are two of only five attorneys recognized by Best Lawyers® in their practice areas west of Asheville, and the only law firm in the region with two recipients.

About the Best Lawyers Selection Process

The Best Lawyers in America® is the oldest and most respected peer-review publication in the legal profession. Recognition is based entirely on confidential peer evaluations from other attorneys in the same geographic region and practice area. Lawyers are not required or permitted to pay for inclusion.

To learn more about the Best Lawyers methodology, visit: www.bestlawyers.com/methodology

About Coward Hicks & Siler

With offices in Cashiers, Sylva, and Franklin, Coward Hicks & Siler PA has long been a pillar of legal service in the western part of the state. The firm focuses on real estate law, land use and development, estate planning, and local government law, delivering strategic legal guidance tailored to the unique demands of the region. CHS is deeply committed to the communities it serves and continues to uphold the highest standards of integrity and professionalism in all areas of practice.