SEASONED LITIGATOR AND TRIAL LAWYER
Trusted advisor and problem solver guiding public and private companies through a wide array of significant and sensitive external and internal matters. Throughout his career, Phil has worked closely with general counsel, corporate officers, shareholders, management, elected officials, trustees and other professionals, with a team approach toward obtaining the most favorable resolution of difficult problems.
PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE
Lead counsel defending and prosecuting large exposure, complex commercial and unique civil cases with significant bench and jury trial experience.
- Wide-Variety of Business Disputes involving Contractual Breaches, Real Estate Development, Fraud, Negligence, Products Liability, and Deceptive Trade Practices Cases.
- Whistle-Blower and DOL/DOJ Compliance Investigations, including the Uncovering and Exposing of Executive Director’s Fraudulent Conduct and Kick-Back Scheme, While Managing $9 billion dollar ERISA Plan, Wearing a Wire for the Federal Government Recording Over 200 Conversations with Company Officers and Board Members, Culminating in Complete Defense Jury Verdict after 10 Years of Compliance and Litigation.
- Employer Withdrawal Liability Arbitration Obtaining $11M Arbitration Award Against Global Shipping Company.
- False Claims Act and Foreign Corrupt Practices Act Cases.
- Employment Cases, including FLSA Class Actions, Non- Compete Agreements, Confidentiality Agreements, and Misappropriation of Trade Secrets.
- Intellectual Property, including Trademark Infringement, Patent Infringement, and Unfair Competition.
- Defense of Municipality and Police Department in Civil Rights Action Involving Controlled Substances.
- Representation of Health Care Insurance Companies in Physician Group Billing Fraud Cases.
- Representation of the State of Florida as Special Counsel in Multi-Million Dollar Condominium Association Construction Fraud Hurricane Damage Claims.
- Defense of Professional Liability Claims, including legal, medical, and accountant malpractice, including Defense of CPA Auditors in Securities Class Actions.
- Company Defense of Environmental Litigation involving Toxic Substances, including Arsenic on Golf Course and Gasoline Station Leak.
- Professional Liability Claims, including legal medical, and accountant malpractice, including Defense of Auditors in Securities Class Actions.
- Company Guidance with Litigation Holds involving Electronically Stored Information (ESI) and Company Compliance with Safeguarding ESI.
PROFESSIONAL EMPLOYMENT
Holland & Knight LLP (May 1990-June 2005)
In addition to complex commercial litigation, Phil served as Loss Prevention Partner of H&K’s Fort Lauderdale office, advising firm management on internal governance, compliance, and bar ethics.
Hodkin Stage Ward PLLC – (September 2017-February 2021)
Phil joined two of his former Holland & Knight LLP partners to form a litigation boutique in Boca Raton, Florida where he continued to practice complex commercial litigation.
GrayRobinson, P.A. (June 2005-September 2017; March 2021-Present)
Phil was the founding shareholder of GR’s Fort Lauderdale office and GR’s presence in South Florida, and continues to practice in the area of complex commercial litigation and trial work.
ADMISSIONS
- Florida Bar
- 11th Circuit Court of Appeal
- U.S. District Courts of Florida (Southern, Middle and Northern Districts)
- The United States Court of International Trade
- Trial Bar for the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Florida
- Phil has been admitted pro hac vice in numerous states throughout the U.S.
https://www.gray-robinson.com/ | phil.ward@gray-robinson.com | pward@lawfulmeasures.com