Ashley W. Ward
Ashley Ward has practiced in the Lexington office's Torts and Insurance Service Group since 1986 and is a co-leader of that group. He has tried more than 20 jury trials to verdict. He focuses on product liability, personal injury, medical malpractice, telecommunications and contractual disputes. Ashley also has considerable experience litigating will contests and other fiduciary disputes.
EKU appoints new regent to board, details new year-long student experience
by Hagan Wells, WTVQ.com, July 26, 2021
Negligent Security Issues on College Campuses
Successfully defended SuperAmerica convenience stores in several negligent security cases
Successfully upheld in the Sixth Circuit Court of Appeals BellSouth Telecommunication's statewide right of way charter
Obtained numerous defense verdicts for physicians at the University of Kentucky Medical Center
Obtained numerous defense verdicts for Kings Daughters Medical Center in malpractice cases
Torts & Insurance Service Group, Co-Chair
Eastern Kentucky University, Board of Regents (2021-27)
Urban League of Lexington-Fayette County, Board of Directors
University of Kentucky College of Law
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Member of Moot Court Board
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Best Brief Award in First Year Legal Writing Program
University of Kentucky
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Phi Beta Kappa
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Sullivan Award
Upon graduation from law school, Ashley served as a law clerk for United States District Judge Scott Reed from 1984-86 in the Eastern District of Kentucky.
Ashley was inducted into the Federation of Defense and Corporate Counsel (FDCC) in 2014. His civic and community involvement includes volunteer work for the Democratic Party and a member of the board of directors for the Urban League (Lexington).
Ashley enjoys golfing, hiking and attending University of Kentucky sporting events.
- KYSPED, LLC v. Virginia Surety Company, 2014 U.S. App. LEXIS 10443 (6th Circuit enforces alcohol exclusion in insurance policy against NASCAR race track)
- Wilma Horn v. Ashland Hospital Corporation, 2014 Ky. App. Unpub. LEXIS 596 (appellate court affirms defense verdict in medical malpractice trial)
- Kathleen Imhoff v. Lexington Public Library Board of Trustees, 2016 Ky. App. LEXIS 7 (appellate court affirms plaintiff's waiver of arbitration provision by filing suit)
Martindale-Hubbell® AV-Preeminent® Peer Review Rated
Best Lawyers in America®, Appellate Practice and Product Liability Litigation - Defendants (2007-23)
Best Lawyers in America®, Lexington Area Lawyer of the Year for Appellate Practice (2015, 2017 and 2021)
Best Lawyers in America®, Lexington Area Lawyer of the Year for Product Liability Litigation–Defendants (2018)
Kentucky Super Lawyers® (2007-23)
Benchmark Litigation magazine, Litigation Star (2015-23)
Highly recommend Ashley Ward at Stites & Harbison for this work [Personal Injury Litigation]. He's a great attorney and easy to work with.
Kentucky Super Lawyers Honors 49 Stites & Harbison Attorneys for 2023
LOUISVILLE, Ky.—The 2023 edition of Kentucky Super Lawyers recently honored 49 Stites & Harbison, PLLC attorneys in the Covington, Frankfort, Lexington and Louisville, Ky., offices. The publication named 37 attorneys to the Super Lawyers list and 12 attorneys to the Rising Stars list.
Benchmark Litigation 2023 Honors 15 Stites & Harbison Attorneys
LOUISVILLE, Ky.—The 2023 edition of Benchmark Litigation names 12 Stites & Harbison, PLLC attorneys as “Litigation Stars” and three as “Future Stars” in Kentucky. The guide honors the firms and attorneys who have demonstrated the ability to consistently handle complex, high-stakes cases in multiple jurisdictions.
Stites & Harbison, PLLC Lawyers Named to 2023 Best Lawyers® Publications
LOUISVILLE, Ky.—Stites & Harbison, PLLC is pleased to announce that 98 of its lawyers are included in the 2023 Edition of The Best Lawyers in America©. Additionally, 11 Stites & Harbison attorneys are named as “Lawyer of the Year” and 19 attorneys are recognized in “Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch,” which recognizes attorneys early in their careers for outstanding professional excellence in private practice in the United States.
Kentucky Super Lawyers Honors 37 Stites & Harbison Attorneys for 2022
LOUISVILLE, Ky.—The 2022 edition of Kentucky Super Lawyers recently honored 37 Stites & Harbison, PLLC attorneys in the Covington, Frankfort, Lexington and Louisville, Ky., offices. The publication named 29 attorneys to the Super Lawyers list and eight attorneys to the Rising Stars list.
Benchmark Litigation 2022 Honors 15 Stites & Harbison Attorneys
LOUISVILLE, Ky.—The 2022 edition of Benchmark Litigation names 12 Stites & Harbison, PLLC attorneys as “Litigation Stars” and three as “Future Stars” in Kentucky.
Stites & Harbison, PLLC Lawyers Named to 2022 Best Lawyers® Publications
LOUISVILLE, Ky.—Stites & Harbison, PLLC is pleased to announce that 93 lawyers are included in the 2022 Edition of The Best Lawyers in America©. Since it was first published in 1983, Best Lawyers® has become universally regarded as the definitive guide to legal excellence. Additionally, 11 attorneys are named as “Lawyer of the Year” and 14 attorneys are recognized in “Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch,” which recognizes attorneys early in their careers for outstanding professional excellence in private practice in the United States.
Ashley Ward Appointed to EKU Board of Regents
LEXINGTON, Ky.—Governor Andy Beshear has appointed Stites & Harbison, PLLC attorney Ashley Ward as a member of the Eastern Kentucky University (EKU) Board of Regents with a term expiring in June 2027. EKU is governed by an 11-member Board of Regents.
Kentucky Legislature Enacts Covid-19 Liability Protection for Businesses
As the country slowly recovers from the economic devastation caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, Kentucky’s lawmakers have stepped in to provide protections to the businesses and workers that will help get the Commonwealth back on its feet. On the last day of the most recent legislative session, Senate Bill 5 became law when the Governor declined to sign or veto it. This legislation, similar to laws in 30 other states, offers immunity from COVID-19-related negligence actions to business owners and essential service providers working to prevent the spread of the virus.