James L. Ward Jr.

James L. Ward, Jr. is a member of the firm’s consumer class action team, which seeks justice for individuals, businesses, and governmental entities who have been harmed by dangerous, deceptive and illegal business practices. Ward also handles a variety of catastrophic personal injury and wrongful death cases. His interest in law was evident at a young age. A native of Saluda, South Carolina, Ward’s parents owned a store across from the town’s courthouse. He spent his formative years observing legal proceedings and speaking to the attorneys and staff who worked there. Ward began his career with two predominantly defense firms, Sinkler & Boyd in Columbia and Smith, Helms, Mulliss & Moore in Charlotte. His passion for helping people who have been wronged brought him to RPWB, which he joined shortly after the firm was founded. Experience on both sides of the courtroom has given Ward superior insight into how defendants approach cases and the strategies they employ. He leverages this understanding with RPWB’s intellectual capital, experience with complex cases, and organizational resources in order to achieve the best possible outcome for his clients. Ward is married with two children. Among his many professional accolades, he is five-time champion of the RPWB Cup (an office triathlon of bocce ball, corn hole, and ladder golf) and two-time champion of the RPWB College Football Fantasy League. The Ward family supports numerous causes, including the local breast cancer charity Share Our Suzy and the Charleston Miracle League, a recreational baseball league for children and adults with physical and mental challenges.

• Richardson, Patrick, Westbrook & Brickman, LLC Mt., Pleasant, South Carolina, Member, 2008 - 2016
• Richardson, Patrick, Westbrook & Brickman, LLC Mt., Pleasant, South Carolina, Managing Attorney, 2004 - 2016
• Richardson, Patrick, Westbrook & Brickman, LLC Mt., Pleasant, South Carolina, Litigation Associate, 2002 - 2007
• Helms Mulliss & Wicker, PLLC (f/k/a Smith Helms Mulliss & Moore, LLP), Charlotte, North Carolina, Litigation Associate, 2000 - 2002
• Sinkler & Boyd, PA (n/k/a Haynsworth Sinkler Boyd, PA), Columbia, South Carolina, Litigation Associate, 1997 - 2000

• Class Counsel and Plaintiffs’ Steering Committee, Lightsey v. South Carolina Electric & Gas, Case No. 2017-CP-25-335 (S.C. Cir. Ct.).
• Class Counsel, Plaintiffs’ Steering Committee, and Santee Cooper Liability Counsel, Cook v. South Carolina Public Service Authority, Case No. 2019-CP-23-06675 (S.C. Cir. Ct.).
• Class Counsel, Snee Farm Lakes Homeowner’s Association, Inc. v. The Commissioner of Public Works of the Town of Mount Pleasant, South Carolina, Case No. 2018-CP-10-2764 (S.C. Cir. Ct.).
• Class Counsel, Green v. Carolina Truck Driving School, LLC, Case No. 2019-CP-20-302 (S.C. Cir. Ct.).
• Plaintiffs’ Executive Committee, In re: Sorin 3T Heater-Cooler System Products Liability Litigation (No. II), MDL Docket No. 2816 (M.D. Pa.).
• Co-Lead Counsel, In re Airline Baggage Fee Antitrust Litigation, C.A. No. 1:09-md-2089-TCB (N.D. Ga.).
• Co-Lead Counsel, In re McKesson Governmental Entities Average Wholesale Price Litigation, C.A. No. 1:08-CV-11349-PBS (D. Mass.).
• Class Counsel, Lewis v. Flue-Cured Tobacco Cooperative Stabilization, Case Nos. 05-CVS-188 and 05-CVS-1938 (N.C. Sup. Ct.).
• Class Counsel, Ferrell v. Horry Electric Cooperative, Case No. 2011-CP-26-1266 (S.C. Cir. Ct.).
• Class Counsel, In re Community Bank of Northern Virginia Mortgage Lending Practices Litigation, MDL No. 1674 (W.D. Pa.).
• Class Counsel, The Church of Christ at Azalea Drive v. Forest River, Inc., Case No. 2:11-cv-03371-PMD (D.S.C.).
• Class Counsel, Schreiner v. Patriarch Partners, LLC, Case No. 02:14-CV-220-RMG (D.S.C).
• Class Counsel, Worley Investments, LLC v. Berkeley County, South Carolina, Case No. 2015-CP-08-1153 (S.C. Cir. Ct.).
• Class Counsel, Waxler Transp. Co. v. Trinity Marine Prods., Inc., Case No. 49-741 (La. Dist. Ct.).
• Counsel for the State of Mississippi in State of Mississippi v. Purdue Pharma L.P., Case No. 2015-1814 (Miss. Chancery Ct.).
• Counsel for the State of Mississippi in State of Mississippi v. Cardinal Health, Inc., Case No. 18-692 (Miss. Cir. Ct.).
• Counsel for the State of Ohio in State of Ohio v. Purdue Pharma L.P., Case No. 17CI000261 (Ohio Common Pleas Ct.).
• Counsel for the State of Arkansas in State of Arkansas v. Purdue Pharma L.P., Case No. 60CV-18-2018 (Ark. Cir. Ct.).
• Counsel for the State of Arkansas in State of Arkansas v. Cardinal Health, Inc., Case No. 60CV-19-2795 (Ark. Cir. Ct.).
• Counsel for the State of Arkansas in State of Arkansas v. Walgreen Co., Case No. 60CV-21-1792 (Ark. Cir. Ct.).
• Counsel for the State of Louisiana in State of Louisiana v. Purdue Pharma L.P., Case No. 661638 (La. Dist. Ct.).
• Counsel for the State of Ohio in Ohio Pub. Employees Ret. Sys. v. McKesson Corp., No. CV-13-2000 (N.D. Cal.).
• Counsel for the State of Utah in State of Utah v. McKesson Corp., No. CV-10-4743 (N.D. Cal.).
• Counsel for the State of Mississippi in State of Mississippi v. McKesson Corp., Case 251-10-862-CIV (Miss. Cir. Ct.).
• Counsel for the State of Mississippi in State of Mississippi v. Abbott Labs., Inc., MDL No. 1456 (D. Mass.).
• Counsel for the State of Oklahoma in State of Oklahoma v. Abbott Labs., Case No. CJ-2010-474 (Okla. Dist. Ct.).
• Law Committee Co-Chair and Discovery Committee Member, In re Bausch & Lomb Contact Lens Solution Products Liability Litigation, MDL No. 1785 (D.S.C.).
• Plaintiffs’ Liaison Counsel, In re Air Crash at Charlotte International Airport, MDL No. 1558 (W.D.N.C.).

• South Carolina, 1997
• North Carolina, 1997
• U.S. District Court District of South Carolina, 1997
• U.S. District Court Western District of North Carolina, 1997
• U.S. District Court Eastern District of North Carolina, 2001
• U.S. District Court Middle District of North Carolina, 2002
• U.S. Court of Appeals 4th Circuit, 1999

• South Carolina Association for Justice, 2019 - 2020 (President)
• South Carolina Association for Justice, 2018 - 2019 (President Elect)
• South Carolina Association for Justice, 2017 - 2018 (Vice President)
• South Carolina Association for Justice, 2016 - 2017 (Secretary/Treasurer)
• South Carolina Association for Justice, 2010 - 2012 (Executive Committee)
• South Carolina Association for Justice, 2014 - 2021 (Executive Committee)
• South Carolina Association for Justice, 2010 - 2021 (Board of Governors)
• South Carolina Association for Justice, 2012 - 2014 (Chairman Public Education and Communications Committee)
• South Carolina Association for Justice, 2009 - 2021 (Legislative Policy Steering Committee)
• South Carolina Association for Justice, 2011 - 2012 (Nominating Committee)
• South Carolina Association for Justice, 2014 - 2015 (Nominating Committee)
• South Carolina Association for Justice, 2018 - 2021 (Nominating Committee)
• South Carolina Association for Justice, 2009 - 2011 (Chairman Torts and Negligence Section)
• South Carolina Bar, 2014 - Present (House of Delegates)
• South Carolina Bar, 2011 - 2012 (Chairman Tort and Insurance Practice Section Council)
• South Carolina Bar (Judicial Qualifications Committee (former member))
• Judicial Conference of the Fourth Circuit (Permanent Member)
• American Association for Justice (National Finance Council (former member))
• North Carolina Bar Association
• James L. Petigru Inn of Court, 2015 - 2017 (President)
• James L. Petigru Inn of Court, 2014 - 2015 (President Elect)
• James L. Petigru Inn of Court, 2013 - 2019 (Executive Committee)
• James L. Petigru Inn of Court, 2013 - 2014 (Membership Chairman)