Member

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.

Recent Assignments

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

Bar Admissions

Kentucky

Firm Leadership

Torts & Insurance Service Group, Co-Chair

Memberships

American College of Trial Lawyers

,

Fellow

American Bar Association

Kentucky Bar Association

Fayette County Bar Association

Defense Research Institute

Federation of Defense & Corporate Counsel

Community Involvement

Eastern Kentucky University, Board of Regents (2021-27)

Urban League of Lexington-Fayette County, Board of Directors

Education

J.D.,

1984

University of Kentucky College of Law

Org / Honor

Member of Moot Court Board

Best Brief Award in First Year Legal Writing Program

B.A. with high distinction, Political Science,

1981

University of Kentucky

Org / Honor

Phi Beta Kappa

Sullivan Award

More Than Stites & Harbison

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.

Recent Decisions

  • 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)

Accolades

Martindale-Hubbell® AV-Preeminent® Peer Review Rated

Best Lawyers in America®, Appellate Practice and Product Liability Litigation – Defendants (2007-25)

Best Lawyers in America®, Lexington Area Lawyer of the Year for Product Liability Litigation–Defendants (2018, 2025)

Best Lawyers in America®, Lexington Area Lawyer of the Year for Appellate Practice (2015, 2017, 2021, 2024)

Kentucky Super Lawyers® (2007-25)

Benchmark Litigation magazine, Litigation Star (2015-25)

Lawdragon 500 Leading Litigators in America, Product Liability, Personal Injury, Medical Malpractice (2024)

Testimonials

Highly recommend Ashley Ward at Stites & Harbison for this work [Personal Injury Litigation]. He’s a great attorney and easy to work with.

This comment was collected as part of the U.S. News — Best Lawyers® "Best Law Firms" research process