Profile
Trial practice is often described as an art – requiring classical training, talent and skill, carefully honed by years of courtroom experience. Kenneth C. “KC” Ward exhibits a rare passion and calling in his career as a trial attorney.
Focused on On Call Trial Counsel Across California
An aggressive advocate in civil litigation since 1974, KC has a deep understanding of communication and human nature. Central to his practice is his capacity to learn and understand the unique subject of any matter in litigation.
Counsel in nearly 100 trials to verdict, KC represents a wide variety of clients and cases. KC focuses complex issues into testimony that compels jurors to understand the facts and applicable law.
A Prominent Courtroom Presence in High-Demand Lawsuits
Averaging three jury trials to verdict per year for the past ten years, he is a quick and thorough study in diverse subjects.
These include insurance bad faith, refinery operations, brain damage or spinal cord injuries, vehicular death, chemicals used in food processing, or the copyright of a computer program. Should a complex case require a specific area of expertise, KC draws upon his partners as co-counsel.
Resolving Conflicts Beyond the Courtroom
The best solution to litigation is not always found at trial. KC is committed to his clients' best interests and may advise settlement negotiations or alternative dispute resolution.
Earned Accolades in Preeminent Trial Attorney Circles
Strict adherence to high standards in case development and courtroom tactics has earned KC recognition among his peers. He is a member in such selective organizations as ABOTA and American Inns of Court.
KC is recognized as a Board Certified Civil Trial Advocate by the National Board of Trial Advocacy, an Advocate in the American Board of Trial Advocates, and has had a Martindale-Hubbell AV® rating for over 20 years. As tribute to this reputation, a substantial part of his practice consists of cases referred by other law firms.
Experience
KC Ward’s representative litigation matters include:
Food Contamination - Secured a defense verdict for a leading supplier of specialty chemicals. Client faced allegations from a large food supplier that it was responsible for tainting nearly 20 million cans of fruit and $5.6 million in damages. KC and his trial team emerged victorious after a three-week trial. The plaintiff was found to be 90 percent at fault and ultimately entitled to nothing and eventually responsible for attorney fees too.
Construction Catastrophic Injury - Obtained an $8 million verdict on behalf of his client, a national general contractor, in the re-trial of a case that had previously resulted in a $20.7 million verdict. The accident, which rendered the plaintiff paraplegic, occurred at a four-building office park project on the former site of the Bay Meadows Racetrack in San Mateo, California. During the five-week retrial, KC applied a novel argument involving alternative safety and design measures. After a single day of deliberation, the jury delivered a new verdict that drastically reduced our client’s share of liability to a fraction of the original award.
Shopping Center Security - Called to the case after the trial had already commenced, KC represented a shopping center owner, on behalf of his excess insurer, in a case involving armed rape and robbery at the shopping center. A previous court had issued an affirmative ruling to the owner to hire security. KC’s persuasive arguments resulted in a verdict favorable to the defendant that was considerably lower than the primary policy limits.
Intellectual Property - Achieved a favorable settlement for a software company allegedly in violation of intellectual property rights in a “look and feel” case contending copyright infringement.
Property Easement – Acting as plaintiff’s counsel on behalf of private homeowners of a historic Victorian home in Oakland, KC prevailed in a 16-day trial in an intricate dispute involving condominium development, the city planning commission, and easement by implication issues.
Flammable Pajamas/Product Liability - Defending national retailer, JCPenney Corporation, in a products liability case concerning flammable fabric in a nightgown that caught fire.
Grinding Wheel/Product Liability – Settled for a nominal amount, right after jury selection, in a claim involving a grinding wheel accident and resulting serious facial injuries. KC defended the defective product action for our client, a national retailer
Premises Liability - Defended scores of actions involving slip and fall claims and other negligence claims for national retailers, obtaining many defense verdicts and favorable negotiated settlements for clients.