Earl S. Ward

Earl S. Ward is a distinguished civil rights lawyer and one of New York’s most respected trial advocates, bringing thirty years of experience in criminal defense and civil rights litigation. He handles serious felony and federal matters, representing clients ranging from indigent defendants to public figures with strategic and effective courtroom advocacy.

Mr. Ward earned his J.D. from New York University School of Law in 1985, following his B.A. from Rutgers University in 1982. This academic background supports his extensive litigation work, including homicide, death penalty, and federal civil rights cases, as well as his frequent lectures at prominent law schools and federal trial advocacy programs.

Throughout his career, Mr. Ward has held meaningful leadership roles in justice-focused organizations. His service includes time as a Commissioner on New York City’s Civilian Complaint Review Board and board membership with the New York State Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers. He now chairs the boards of the Bronx Defenders, Housing Works, and Esperanza, advancing critical community and reform efforts.

Mr. Ward began his career at the Legal Aid Society’s criminal defense division, later joining the New York Civil Liberties Union as a staff attorney focusing on police abuse and First Amendment litigation. He continued his public defense work as a supervising attorney at the Neighborhood Defender Services of Harlem before establishing his own firm.

Recognized for excellence, Earl S. Ward has been named a Super Lawyer since 2011 and has been honored by Lawdragon’s “500 Leading Civil Rights & Plaintiff Employment Lawyers.” His notable results include securing multimillion-dollar compensation in wrongful conviction cases and representing clients in widely known civil rights and public-interest matters.

Law Office Affiliations

• Partner, Emery Celli Brinckerhoff Abady Ward & Maazel LLP
• Member, New York State Bar Association
• Member, New York Civil Liberties Union
• Member, New York State Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers (NYSACDL), Board of Directors, (2007-2010)

Licensed State

• New York

Education

• New York University School of Law
  Juris Doctor (JD)
• Rutgers University
  Bachelor of Arts (BA)

Awards & Badges