Patrick M. Ward

Overview

Patrick M. Ward is a Principal in McCarthy Lebit's Litigation group with a practice spanning sophisticated business and commercial matters, business counseling, municipal law, and estate planning. An experienced trial lawyer, licensed in both Ohio and Illinois, Pat has developed a diverse legal practice. He represents businesses, individuals, municipalities, and other public entities in complex litigation and provides strategic counsel on a wide range of commercial, employment, corporate, governmental, and estate planning matters. His practice is focused on understanding each client's objectives, addressing legal and operational challenges, and developing practical strategies tailored to their needs. Pat brings a well-rounded perspective to his work, drawing on extensive courtroom experience as well as experience advising clients on matters that extend beyond individual disputes.

Over the course of his career, Pat has handled litigation matters from initial evaluation through trial across a range of commercial, business, employment, municipal, and civil matters. His commercial and business litigation experience includes shareholder, partner, and member disputes, non-compete and non-solicitation agreements, breach of contract claims, and commercial and residential landlord-tenant disputes. He has also represented clients in matters involving probate, professional liability defense, construction negligence, civil rights, insurance coverage, product liability, asbestos, motor vehicle and trucking accidents, and premises liability claims. His broad litigation experience allows him to navigate complex disputes, assess legal and practical risks, and develop strategies tailored to his clients’ objectives at every stage of a matter.

Pat also advises business clients on entity formation, organizational structure, financing, corporate governance, ownership transitions, contract drafting and negotiation, non-compete and non-solicitation agreements, and employment-related matters. He counsels businesses owners and executives at all stages of the business lifecycle, from startup and early-stage planning through expansion, restructuring, and succession. Working closely with clients, Pat identifies practical legal and operational solutions that align with their business objectives, minimize risk, and support both day-to-day decision-making and long-term strategic growth.

His public sector experience includes representing public housing authorities, where he managed hundreds of eviction proceedings, including contested matters involving counsel representation and reasonable accommodation requests requiring careful compliance with applicable federal and state regulations. Pat also has experience representing municipalities, including the City of Chicago, in significant, high-stakes litigation matters. He also previously served as Assistant Law Director and Prosecutor for the City of Amherst, as well as Law Director for the City of Sheffield Lake, further enhancing his courtroom skills and knowledge of municipal issues.

Estate planning is another area of Pat’s legal practice. He advises individuals on estate planning and related matters, developing thoughtful plans that address their individual circumstances, goals, and long-term needs. He takes a comprehensive approach to estate planning, considering both immediate legal needs and broader personal and financial objectives to provide practical counsel tailored to each client’s circumstances.

Patrick earned his Bachelor of Business Administration, magna cum laude, from the University of Notre Dame before receiving his Juris Doctor from The Ohio State University Moritz College of Law.