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 News, Articles & Speaking Engagements

Kentucky Now Allows Persons Age 70 and Over To Opt Out of Jury Service

Negligent Security Issues on College Campuses

presented at Vanderbilt University and Spalding University
Recent Assignments
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
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 (2007-24)

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

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

Kentucky Super Lawyers® (2007-24)

Benchmark Litigation magazine, Litigation Star (2015-23)

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. (2018-19)
MH AV 2024 300
Ward A Best Lawyers2024
Ward A Best Lawyers LOY2024
Ward A Best Law Lo Y2021
Warda Bestlawloy2018
Ward Bestlaw Lawyear 2017
Warda Bestlawloy 2015
Wardasuperlaw
Benchmark Litigation Star 2019
Actllogo
See more related to Ashley W. Ward
Press Releases

Kentucky Super Lawyers® Honors 49 Stites & Harbison Attorneys for 2024

LOUISVILLE, Ky.—The 2024 edition of Kentucky Super Lawyers® recently honored 49 Stites & Harbison, PLLC attorneys in the Covington, Frankfort, Lexington and Louisville, Ky., offices. The publication named 35 attorneys to the Super Lawyers® list and 14 attorneys to the Rising Stars® list.

by Stites & Harbison, PLLC January 12, 2024
Client Alerts

Kentucky Now Allows Persons Age 70 and Over To Opt Out of Jury Service

In March 2023, Kentucky enacted KRS 29A.080, a new law that allows persons 70 and older to voluntarily opt out of jury service. Attorneys Ashley Ward and Kyle Schroader take a look at that new law in this Stites & Harbison Client Alert.

by Ashley W. Ward and Kyle S. Schroader November 20, 2023
Press Releases

Benchmark Litigation 2024 Honors 14 Stites & Harbison Attorneys

LOUISVILLE, Ky.—The 2024 edition of Benchmark Litigation names 11 Stites & Harbison, PLLC attorneys as “Litigation Stars” and three as “Future Stars” in Kentucky.

by Stites & Harbison, PLLC October 16, 2023
Press Releases

Stites & Harbison, PLLC Lawyers Named to 2024 Best Lawyers® Publications

LOUISVILLE, Ky.—Stites & Harbison, PLLC is pleased to announce that 101 of its lawyers are included in the 2024 edition of The Best Lawyers in America®.

by Stites & Harbison, PLLC August 24, 2023
Press Releases

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.

by Stites & Harbison, PLLC January 12, 2023
Press Releases

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.

by Stites & Harbison, PLLC November 17, 2022
Press Releases

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.

by Stites & Harbison, PLLC August 18, 2022
Press Releases

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.

by Stites & Harbison, PLLC January 11, 2022