Indiana Trial Lawyer Donald Ward Chosen for Legendary Lawyer Award

June 23, 2015 - PRLog -- INDIANAPOLIS – Integrity. Ethics. Esteem.They don’t make headlines frequently. They do make legends. Donald W. Ward, Indianapolis, has been named the 2015 Legendary Lawyer by his peers in the Indiana Bar Foundation (Foundation).

“Perhaps no other individual attorney has had a greater impact over the past 50 years in maintaining the integrity of the Appellate and Supreme courts, while putting aside self–interest for the best interests of Hoosiers’ justice, than Don.”

Attorney Richard Eynon’s comment about Donald Ward was followed by this statement “I dare say that most of us fall short of the paradigmatic example Don has set through his words, works and deeds. He is exactly the type of individual who is deserving of this award.”

Ward will be honored in a ceremony before friends, family and colleagues August 19, 2015, at the Indiana Landmarks Center, 1201 Central Avenue, Indianapolis. The reception will begin at 5:00 p.m. and conclude at 6:30 p.m.

The annual Legendary Lawyer Award recognizes an Indiana Bar Foundation Fellow who demonstrates adherence to the highest principles and traditions of the legal profession throughout a legal career of 50 years or more. Ward has actually practiced for 60 years and currently practices with his son at Ward & Ward Law Firm (http://wardlawfirm.com/).

Admitted to practice in 1954, Ward has served on the Indiana Judicial Nominating Commission and the Indiana Judicial Qualification Commission from 1978 - 1984, 1993 - 1995 and in 2001-2003. He was president of the Indiana Trial Lawyers Association from 1978 - 1979 and received the ITLA’s Lifetime Director and Lifetime Achievement Award in 1996. His list of memberships and achievements is long.

Indiana Court of Appeals Judge Margret Robb said, “Don acts without fanfare or show. His drive to ensure the legal profession is the best it can be makes him special. The basis of this award — a person whose life and practice display sterling character and unquestioned integrity, coupled with a dedication to the highest standards of the legal profession and the rule of law is an encapsulation of his career. When he sees something that needs correcting, he just does it. He doesn’t make a big deal of it—he just acts.”

Ward was raised in Osgood, Indiana, and is no stranger to physical work - he tilled fields with a horse-driven plow - and witnessed disasterwhen a levee broke in Lawrenceburg, Indiana. Now he’s a member of the legal community held in esteem by the top judicial officials in Indiana.

“I am humbled and honored to be the recipient of the 2015 Indiana Bar Foundation Legendary Lawyer Award,” Ward said. “It is hard for me to believe that I can receive an award for doing the thing I have enjoyed doing for the past 60 years — going to the office and practicing law.”

The committee that selected Ward for the Legendary Lawyer honor consisted of Fellows from various communities across Indiana and none of them had any prior relationship with Ward. They were: Robert C. Beasley, Muncie; Bryan L.Bradley, Valparaiso; Anthony M. Stites, Fort Wayne and Hon. Leslie Shively, Evansville.

For information on the Legendary Lawyer Celebration on August 19, visit www.inbf.org or call the Foundation at 317-269-2415.

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The Indiana Bar Foundation is a 501(c)(3) charity comprised of lawyers and judges dedicated to strengthening access to justice and appreciation for the rule of law in Indiana. Its programs educate youth and improve access to the legal system for those with few resources. Programs include We the People, Indiana High School Mock Trial Program and the Indiana Pro Bono Commission. Donations to the Foundation are tax deductible. Learn more atwww.inbf.org.

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SIDEBAR

Donald W. Ward will be honored in a public ceremony August 19, 2015, at the Indiana Landmarks Center, 1201 Central Avenue, Indianapolis. The event is free. The time will be announced at a later date.

Speakers will include: Indiana Supreme Court Justice Brent Dickson, Indiana Court of Appeals Judge James S. Kirsch and Micki Wilson, Executive Director, Indiana Trial Lawyers Association.

The annual Legendary Lawyer Award recognizes an Indiana Bar Foundation Fellow who demonstrates adherence to the highest principles and traditions of the legal profession throughout a legal career of 50 years or more.  Contact the Indiana Bar Foundation 317-269-7864 for details or you may like their Facebook page or follow their LinkedIn company page.