Michael Ward
An effective and persuasive litigation professional with highly adaptable skills, Michael navigates local and national clients through some of the most challenging jurisdictions in the country.
- Develops a tailored legal defense based on the facts of each case
- Approved mediator for the United States District Court for the Southern District of Illinois
Michael Ward
Attorney in Edwardsville, IL
A native of Harrisburg, Illinois, Michael joined the firm's Edwardsville office in 2015. He began his career at a mid-sized Illinois firm focusing on the defense of premises owners and various manufacturers against claims involving toxic exposures and product liability actions. He then worked for a national law firm leading a team of individuals in all phases of litigation across numerous jurisdictions, including state and federal courts in Illinois and Missouri, while helping to expand and oversee litigation strategy. Michael is an approved mediator for the United States District Court for the Southern District of Illinois in its mandatory mediation program. Michael continues to refine and perfect these skills at Heyl Royster.
At Heyl, Michael concentrates his practice on the defense of companies involved in complex product liability, toxic tort, and environmental litigation, with an expanding practice in mediation. In his litigation practice, clients rely on Michael's expertise in developing tailored legal defenses based on the facts of each case. Michael advances defense strategies to meet these specific needs by gathering and analyzing the necessary evidence via informal and formal discovery, deposing and defending fact and expert witnesses, researching and analyzing applicable law, and preparing and arguing motions, as well as trial preparation and participation. Michael's reputation and advocacy for his clients have led to the successful defense and resolution of thousands of cases and claims in the most challenging jurisdictions in the country.
Practices
Credentials
Education
J.D., Southern Illinois University School of Law
B.S., Southern Illinois University, Accounting
Licensure(s) and Admission(s)
State Courts of Illinois
State Courts of Missouri
United States District Court for the Eastern District of Missouri
United States District Court for the Southern District of Illinois
Professional Affiliations
Bar Association of Metropolitan St. Louis
Defense Research Institute
Illinois State Bar Association
The Madison County Bar Association
Presentations/Publications
Presentations
“Personal Jurisdiction after Mallory,” DRI Toxic Torts and Environmental Law Seminar (2024)
Publications
"Jury Service in Illinois: Amendments to the Illinois Jury Act," Illinois Defense Counsel Quarterly Monograph (2007)
"Use of Prior Depositions in Mass Tort Cases," Illinois Defense Counsel Quarterly Monograph (2007)
Public Profile
A native of Harrisburg, Illinois, Michael joined the firm's Edwardsville office in 2015. He began his career at a mid-sized Illinois firm focusing on the defense of premises owners and various manufacturers against claims involving toxic exposures and product liability actions. He then worked for a national law firm leading a team of individuals in all phases of litigation across numerous jurisdictions, including state and federal courts in Illinois and Missouri, while helping to expand and oversee litigation strategy. Michael is an approved mediator for the United States District Court for the Southern District of Illinois in its mandatory mediation program. Michael continues to refine and perfect these skills at Heyl Royster.
At Heyl, Michael concentrates his practice on the defense of companies involved in complex product liability, toxic tort, and environmental litigation, with an expanding practice in mediation. In his litigation practice, clients rely on Michael's expertise in developing tailored legal defenses based on the facts of each case. Michael advances defense strategies to meet these specific needs by gathering and analyzing the necessary evidence via informal and formal discovery, deposing and defending fact and expert witnesses, researching and analyzing applicable law, and preparing and arguing motions, as well as trial preparation and participation. Michael's reputation and advocacy for his clients have led to the successful defense and resolution of thousands of cases and claims in the most challenging jurisdictions in the country.
