PROFESSIONAL BIOGRAPHY
OF
ROBERT C. WARD

PRIMARY AREAS OF PRACTICE

Mr. Ward's practice concentrates primarily on the handling and trial of general liability insurance defense claims, with particular emphasis in the defense of catastrophic personal injury claims, Title 59 claims, the defense of large fire claims, large construction cases, lead paint cases and underground storage tank cases. Mr. Ward regularly litigates issues concerning coverage,  including contractual indemnity and additional insurance issues, arbitrations and the defense of fraudulent first and third party claims. He has handled hundreds of arbitration matters on behalf of insurance carriers, both as defense counsel and as an arbitrator appointed by other attorneys and insurance carriers. He also lectures on various legal issues pertaining to insurance law and litigation. Mr.Ward also defends individuals in municipal court cases and served as a municipal prosecutor more than ten years.

REPRESENTATIVE EXPERIENCE

Mr. Ward has successfully litigated various matters through trial, including sophisticated premises liability, construction cases, motor vehicle accidents and Title 59 matters on behalf of municipalities involving catastrophic injuries, including brain damage and paraplegia. Mr. Ward has successfully argued before the Appellate Division in a case involving residential sidewalk law. Representative cases include a successful verdict in a school case in which a student was blinded by a computer mouse ball, and a successful verdict in a case which involved an allegation that a hair stylist seriously injured the plaintiff allowing hair spray to enter her eye which had recently been surgically repaired.

Mr. Ward also represented a local County in a high profile  automobile case involving two deaths and catastrophic injuries to other plaintiffs including brain damage. There was serious exposure on behalf of the County due to insufficient coverage resulting in complex and time-consuming negotiations. Settlement was obtained within the policy limits.

In another matter, Mr. Ward successfully defended an officer in a First Aid Squad accused of assault, negligence and improper supervision involving the beating and ultimate death of a patient. Mr. Ward successfully obtained a directed verdict on behalf of the officer after one week of trial.

As lead counsel, Mr. Ward successfully defended a municipality when a volunteer fire fighter was severely burned over ninety percent of his body while entering a bus which was on fire during a training exercise. Summary Judgment was obtained on behalf of the public entity and the decision was upheld by the Appellate Division.

Mr. Ward is experienced in substantial property damage claims, subrogation matters and construction defect cases involving condominium and housing complexes and commercial properties. He represents clients involved in toxic tort litigation involving lead paint poisoning, underground oil tanks and improper disposal of toxic materials at a landfill.

Mr. Ward has also successfully represented many individual clients in municipal court where he defends individuals who have been charged with traffic violations, driving while intoxicated and other charges. He has tried many cases on behalf of the State or municipality and individuals.

EDUCATIONAL AND PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE

Mr. Ward graduated from St. Peters College in 1976 where he received a B.A. in English. Mr. Ward obtained his Juris Doctorate degree from Seton Hall University School of Law in 1986. He is admitted to the bars of New Jersey and the Federal District Court for the District of New Jersey.

Upon graduating from law school in 1986, Mr. Ward was employed at a Morristown law firm specializing in insurance defense. In 1987, he joined Gebhardt & Kiefer as an associate with a general practice focusing on insurance defense, particularly Title 59 and complex commercial and personal injury cases. Mr. Ward became a partner in the firm in 1993.

PROFESSIONAL AND COMMUNITY AFFILIATION

Member New Jersey State Bar Association, Hunterdon County Bar Association, New Jersey Defense Association and the Defense Research Institute. He was the Municipal Prosecutor for the Township of East Amwell and also serves on the Board of Directors and is an  attorney for the Hunterdon County Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals. He also served for three years as a member of the Vicinage XIII Ethics Committee.