LAWFUEL – The Law Firm Newswire – Prominent Maryland lawyer and dedicated proponent of pro bono service joins Gallagher’s ranks
Prominent Maryland trial lawyer Ward B. Coe III joins Gallagher Evelius & Jones as a partner in the firm’s Litigation Practice Group.
Known for his defense work in high profile class action cases and investigations, Mr. Coe is a veteran attorney with more than three decades of experience representing corporations in complex commercial litigation.
“We are delighted to have an attorney of Ward’s experience and stature,” commented Gallagher Litigation Practice Group chair Tom Dame. “Ward is full of dedication and determination. He has an outstanding and well-earned reputation from many years of successfully handling high stakes matters. Bringing that reputation to our group will nicely complement our team and inject tremendous energy.”
In addition to his to his versatile litigation experience involving antitrust, ERISA, and intellectual property matters, Mr. Coe broadens Gallagher’s depth of service in an area that is complementary to the firm’s other practices. “Ward brings considerable experience leading major internal investigations,” said Mr. Dame. “Our corporate, health care, and nonprofits clients will particularly benefit from this service.”
Mr. Coe began his legal career in 1974 as an assistant attorney general in Maryland. He joined Whiteford Taylor & Preston in 1977 and served as its managing partner from 1994 to 2000 and chair of its litigation practice from 2002 to 2006.
Highly respected by the legal community, Mr. Coe was selected in 2005, from an elite pool of candidates, to serve as counsel to the special legislative committee investigating the personnel practices of former governors of the State of Maryland.
Mr. Coe distinguishes himself through both his legal expertise and his pro bono service. As chair of the Maryland Court of Appeals Standing Committee on Pro Bono Legal Service and member of the Maryland Judicial Commission on Pro Bono, he has been instrumental in expanding a pro bono effort throughout the region. His advocacy has gained national attention and influenced his decision to join Gallagher. “Gallagher’s commitment to community service is consistent with my own philosophy,” commented Mr. Coe. “The culture of the firm, its tradition of community service, is very attractive to me.”
“Ward Coe is a fine gentleman and an excellent lawyer, and he will be an immediate asset to our clients and to all the lawyers at Gallagher,” said Rick Berndt, Gallagher’s managing partner.
“I have known Ward for more than 35 years,” Mr. Berndt continued. “We are very lucky he has chosen to join us.”
Mr. Coe is a director of Provident Bankshares Corp., a Fellow of the American College of Trial Lawyers, and an active member of the American Bar Association. He is the recipient of numerous honors and awards, including the ABA’s Pro Bono Publico Award.
Mr. Coe received his J. D. from the University of Maryland School of Law in 1973 and A.B. from Princeton University in 1967. He served as an Officer in the U.S. Marine Corps from 1967 to 1970.
