Joseph A. (Jay) Ford

Joseph A. (Jay) Ford is a member at Spilman Thomas & Battle, PLLC in Charleston, West Virginia. He chairs the firm’s Associate Program and co-chairs its E-Discovery Practice Group. His practice focuses on complex civil litigation, including commercial litigation, product liability, employment law, and class actions, along with government relations. He represents employers, businesses, health care organizations, manufacturers, state entities, and other clients in disputes involving significant commercial, regulatory, and liability concerns.

Mr. Ford earned a B.A., summa cum laude, from West Virginia University and a J.D. from West Virginia University. During law school, he served as Executive Research Editor of the West Virginia Law Review and was inducted into the Order of the Coif. He received CALI Excellence Awards in several subjects and the American Bankruptcy Institute Medal of Excellence. His academic background provided a strong foundation for complex litigation, legal analysis, and regulatory work.

Mr. Ford represents commercial clients in breach of contract, tortious interference, corporate governance, disputed dissolution, premises liability, and deliberate intent cases. His experience includes product manufacturers and suppliers in construction litigation, health care clients in varied disputes, and employers facing discrimination and harassment claims. He conducts independent workplace investigations and advises employers on policies and procedures. His government-relations work includes drafting and promoting legislation and administrative rules before West Virginia’s legislative and executive branches.

Joseph A. (Jay) Ford received the American Bar Association’s On the Rise – Top 40 Young Lawyers Award in 2026 and the West Virginia State Bar Young Lawyer of the Year Award in 2024. He chairs the West Virginia Commission on Uniform State Laws and holds leadership roles within American Bar Association litigation committees. His experience combines complex litigation, employment counseling, government relations, e-discovery, and commercial advocacy across a broad range of client matters.

Law Office Affiliations

• Member, Spilman Thomas & Battle PLLC
• Member, American Bar Association, Litigation Section
• Former Chairperson, West Virginia Bar Association

Licensed State

• West Virginia

Education

• West Virginia University
  Juris Doctor (JD)
• West Virginia University
  Bachelor of Arts (BA)

Awards & Badges