Biography
Known for his defense work in high profile class action cases, Ward Coe is a veteran attorney with more than three decades of experience representing corporations in complex commercial litigation. In addition to his versatile litigation practice involving antitrust, ERISA, land use litigation, and intellectual property matters, Ward has considerable experience leading major internal investigations.
Ward began his legal career at Anderson, Coe & King in 1973 and served as an assistant attorney general in Maryland from 1974 to 1977. He served as the managing partner of Whiteford Taylor & Preston from 1994 to 2000, and as the chair of its litigation practice from 2002 to 2006.
Ward served as counsel to the special legislative committee investigating personnel practices of a former governor of the State of Maryland. He has conducted numerous internal investigations of publicly and privately held companies involving potential financial fraud restatements and personnel matters.
In 1985 and 1986, Ward served as deputy investigator with Wilbur D. Preston, Jr., who was appointed by the Governor to investigate the savings and loan crisis. After an extensive investigation, Ward was the primary author and editor of a 457-page report to the Governor and General Assembly which formed a basis for numerous successful criminal prosecutions and civil lawsuits that resulted in substantial recoveries for the State.
As chair of the Maryland Court of Appeals Standing Committee on Pro Bono Legal Service, Ward has been instrumental in expanding a pro bono effort throughout the region. He is the recipient of numerous honors and awards for his pro bono efforts, including the American Bar Association’s Pro Bono Publico Award.
Ward is a Fellow of the American College of Trial Lawyers and an active member of the American Bar Association. For more than ten years, he has consistently appeared in the annual publication, The Best Lawyers of America.
Representative Cases
Reaching Hearts Intern., Inc. v. Prince George's County, 584 F. Supp. 2d 766 (D. Md. 2008), aff'd, 2010 WL 724162 (4th Cir. 2010)
Master Financial, Inc. v. Crowder, 409 Md. 51, 972 A.2d 864 (Md. 2009)
Corporate Healthcare Financing, Inc. v. BCI Holdings Co., 2006 WL 1997126 (D.Md. 2006)
Jemal’s Fairfield Farms, LLC v. Prince George’s County, 319 F.Supp.2d 618 (D.Md. 2004)
Doe v. Blue Cross Blue Shield of Maryland, Inc., 173 F.Supp.2d 398 (D.Md. 2001)
Merck-Medco Managed Care, LLC. v. Rite Aid Corp., 201 F.3d 436 (4th Cir. Sept. 7, 1999)
Northwestern Nat. Life Ins. Co. v. Laurel Federal Sav. Bank, 979 F.Supp. 359 (D.Md. 1997)
Sun Dun, Inc. of Washington v. Coca-Cola Co., 770 F.Supp. 285 (D.Md. 1991)
Cogan v. Harford Memorial Hosp., 843 F.Supp. 1013 (D.Md. 1994)
Johnson v. Robinson, 987 F.2d 1043 (4th Cir. Feb. 22, 1993)
Walk v. Baltimore and Ohio R.R., 890 F.2d 688 (4th Cir. Nov. 30, 1989)
Walk v. Baltimore and Ohio R.R., 847 F.2d 1100 (4th Cir. May 31, 1988)
L.J. By and Through Darr v. Massinga, 838 F.2d 118 (4th Cir. Feb. 1, 1988)
Data Controls North, Inc. v. Financial Corp. of America, Inc., 688 F.Supp. 1047 (D.Md. 1988)
Kadala v. Amoco Oil Co., 820 F.2d 1355 (4th Cir. June 16, 1987)
Bethlehem Steel Corp. v. U.S., Hudson Waterways Corp., 1984 WL 2591 (D.Md. 1984)
Amoco Oil Co. v. Luehrs, 55 Md.App. 656, 465 A.2d 1192 (Md. App. 1983)
Texaco, Inc. v. Hughes, 572 F.Supp. 1 (D.Md. 1982)
Stanbalt Realty Co. v. Commercial Credit Corp., 42 Md.App. 538, 401 A.2d 1043 (Md. App. 1979)
Simkins Industries, Inc. v. Lexington Ins. Co., 42 Md.App. 396, 401 A.2d 181 (Md. App. 1979)
Shell Oil Co. v. Supervisor of Assessments of Prince George’s County, 278 Md. 659, 366 A.2d 369 (Md. 1976)
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