T. Michael Ward

Principal
Bank of America Plaza
800 Market Street
Suite 1100
St. Louis, MO 63101-2501
314-242-5306
314-242-5506

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Mike Ward serves as the firm’s Managing Principal and is chair of the firm’s Appellate practice group. He has handled more than 150 appeals, including cases before the Missouri Supreme Court, the Missouri Court of Appeals, the Supreme Court of Illinois, the Appellate Court of Illinois, and the Seventh, Eighth, and Tenth Circuits of the United States Court of Appeals.

Mr. Ward’s experience also includes complex civil litigation in matters concerning insurance, environmental law, employment law, and professional liability defense. Throughout his career, he has been active in the St. Louis Volunteer Lawyers’ Program, receiving the Volunteer Service Award for outstanding service in 1994. He serves as legal counsel to the American Board of Pediatric Neurological Surgery and has also served as a volunteer reviewer of the Missouri Bar’s Continuing Legal Education publications.

Reported Missouri Appellate Opinions
  • Tharp v. St. Luke’s Surgicenter – Lee’s Summit, LLC, No. SC96528 (Mo. banc Feb. 26, 2019)
  • Dutton v. Am. Family Mut. Ins. Co., 454 S.W.3d 319, 321 (Mo. banc 2015)
  • Smith v. Maryland Cas. Co., No. SD 33341, 2015 WL 302151 (Mo.  Ct.  App. Jan. 23, 2015)
  • Kennedy v. Safeco Ins. Co. of Illinois, 413 S.W.3d 14 (Mo. Ct. App. 2013)
  • Green v. Plaza in Clayton Condo. Ass’n, 410 S.W.3d 272 (Mo. Ct. App. 2013)
  • Peterson v. Progressive Contractors, Inc., 399 S.W.3d 850 (Mo. Ct. App. 2013)
  • Palmore v. City of Pacific, 393 S.W.3d 657 (Mo. Ct. App. 2013)
  • Auto Owners Ins. Co. v. Columbia Mut. Ins. Co., 387 S.W.3d 451 (Mo. App. W.D. 2013)
  • Grissom v. General Ins. Co. of America, 371 S.W.3d 869 (Mo. App. S.D. 2012)
  • Lewis v. Biegel, 364 S.W.3d 670 (Mo. App. W.D. 2012)
  • Kingsland Investments, L.P. v. Schaefer Group, Inc., 349 S.W.3d 380 (Mo. App. E.D. 2011)
  • Mitchell v. Kardesch, M.D., 313 S.W.3d 667 (Mo. banc 2010)
  • Jitterswing v. Francorp, Inc., 311 S.W.3d 828 (Mo. App. E.D. 2010)
  • Angela Martin v. Survivair Respirators, 298 S.W.3d 23 (Mo. App. E.D. 2009)
  • Peters v. M & M Freight Transport, Inc., 269 S.W.3d 460 (Mo. App. E.D. 2008)
  • Wright v. Country Club of St. Albans, 269 S.W.3d 461 (Mo. App. E.D. 2008)
  • Wentzville Park Assocs., L.P. v. American Cas. Ins. Co., 263 S.W.3d 736 (Mo. App. E.D. 2008)
  • Lengenhager v. St. Anthony’s Medical Center, 258 S.W.3d 824 (Mo. App. E.D. 2008)
  • Parker v. South Broadway Athletic Club, 230 S.W.3d 642 (Mo. App. E.D. 2007)
  • Meyer ex rel. Meyer v. Astrazeneca Pharmaceuticals, L.P., 224 S.W.3d 106 (Mo. App. E.D. 2007)
  • The Bar Plan Mut. Ins. Co. v. Margulis, 220 S.W.3d 370 (Mo. App. E.D. 2007)
  • Hensley v. Shelter Mut. Ins. Co., 210 S.W.3d 455 (Mo. App. S.D. 2007)
  • East End Transfer & Storage, Inc. v. Travelers Indem. Co., 211 S.W.3d 103 (Mo. App. E.D. 2006)
  • Pargo v. Washington Univ., 207 S.W.3d 178 (Mo. App. E.D. 2006)
  • Davidson v. Lazcano, 204 S.W.3d 213 (Mo. App. E.D. 2006)
  • Fallert v. Smith, 203 S.W.3d 234 (Mo. App. E.D. 2006)
  • Jaco v. Scholastic Book Clubs, Inc., 200 S.W.3d 616 (Mo. App. W.D. 2006)
  • Law v. Vigilant Ins. Co., 193 S.W.3d 773 (Mo. App. E.D. 2006)
  • Miller v. SSM Health Care Corp., 193 S.W.3d 416 (Mo. App. E.D. 2006)
  • Taylor v. Microsurgery & Brain Research Institute, P.C., 191 S.W.3d 677 (Mo. App. E.D. 2006)
  • Little v. American States Ins. Co., 179 S.W.3d 433 (Mo. App. S.D. 2005)
  • Weber v. McBride & Son Contracting Co., 182 S.W.3d 643 (Mo. App. E.D. 2005)
  •  Jacobsmeyer v. The Crane Agency, 181 S.W.3d 585 (Mo. App. E.D. 2005)
  • Safeco Ins. Co. of America v. McBride, 175 S.W.3d 696 (Mo. App. E.D. 2005)
  • Breuer v. Syberg’s Eating & Drinking Co., Inc., 178 S.W.3d 603 (Mo. App. E.D. 2005)
  • Miller v. O’Brien, 168 S.W.3d 109 (Mo. App. W.D. 2005)
  • Reese v. U.S. Fire Ins. Co., 173 S.W.3d 109 (Mo. App. W.D. 2005)
  • Finnigan v. KNG Investments, Inc., 158 S.W.2d 808 (Mo. App. S.D. 2005)
  • Kennex, L.L.C. v. Farm Bureau Town & Country Ins. Co., 257 S.W.3d 385 (Mo. App. E.D. 2005)
  • Stickler v. Foremost Signature Ins. Co., 150 S.W.3d 314 (Mo. App. S.D. 2004)
  • State ex rel. S.M.H. v. Goldman, 140 S.W.3d 314 (Mo. App. E.D. 2004)
  • Kehr v. Knapp, 136 S.W.3d 118 (Mo. App. E.D. 2004)
  • Skay v. St. Louis Parking Co., 130 S.W.3d 22 (Mo. App. E.D. 2004)
  • Moore ex rel. Moore v. Bi-State Development Agency, 132 S.W.3d 241 (Mo. banc 2004)
  • State ex rel. Green v. Neill, 127 S.W.3d 677 (Mo. banc 2004)
  • Bailey v. Cameron Mut. Ins. Co., 122 S.W.3d 599 (Mo. App. E.D. 2003)
  • Warren David Properties V, L.L.C. v. United Fire & Cas. Co., 111 S.W.3d 515 (Mo. App. S.D. 2003)
  • Marler v. Saint Louis Univ., 109 S.W.3d 181 (Mo. App. E.D. 2003)
  • Hepler v. Caruthersville Supermarket Co., 102 S.W.3d 564 (Mo. App. S.D. 2003)
  • Whole Truth Tabernacle United Pentecostal Church v. Church Mut. Ins. Co., 100 S.W.3d 834 (Mo. App. E.D. 2003)
  • United Capitol Ins. Co. v. Hoodco, Inc., 125 S.W.3d 859 (Mo. App. E.D. 2003)
  • Gryzmala v. State Farm Fire & Cas. Co., 118 S.W.3d 623 (Mo. App. E.D. 2003)
Reported Illinois Appellate Decisions
  • Martin v. Keeley & Sons, Inc., 979 N.E.2d 22 (Ill. 2012)
  • Olson v. Hunter’s Point Homes, LLC, 964 N.E.2d 60 (Ill. Ct. App. 2012)
  • ESL Delivery Services Co. v. Delivery Network, Inc., 384 Ill.App.3d 451, 893 N.E.2d 289 (5th Dist. 2008)
Reported Federal Appellate Decisions
  • Argonaut Great Cent. Ins. Co. v. Audrain Cnty. Joint Commc’ns, 781 F.3d 925 (8th Cir. 2015)   
  • In re Clink, 770 F.3d 719 (8th Cir. 2014)
  • Chicago Ins. Co. v. Archdiocese of St. Louis, 740 F.3d 1197 (8th Cir. 2014)
  • Loomis v. Wing Enterprises, Inc., 756 F.3d 632 (8th Cir. 2014)
  • Nat’l Cas. Co. v. White Mountains Reinsurance Co. of Am., 735 F.3d 549 (7th Cir. 2013)
  • Hosanna-Tabor Evangelical Lutheran Church and School v. E.E.O.C., 132 S.Ct. 694 (2012) (Brief of Amicus Curiae Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod)
  • Gallagher v. City of Clayton, 699 F.3d 1013 (8th Cir. 2012)
  • American Guarantee and Liability Ins. Co. v. U.S. Fidelity & Guar. Co., 668 F.3d 991 (8th Cir. 2012)
  • Huggins v. FedEx Ground Package System, Inc., 592 F.3d 853 (8th Cir. 2010)
  • DG&G, Inc. v. FlexSol Packaging Corp. of Pompano Beach, 576 F.3d 820 (8th Cir. 2009)
  • North American Specialty Ins. Co. v. Correctional Medical Servs., Inc., 527 F.3d 1033 (10th Cir. 2008)
  • Liberty Mut. Fire Ins. Co. v. Scott, 486 F.2d 418 (8th Cir. 2007)
  • Simpson v. Thomure, 484 F.3d 1081 (8th Cir. 2007)
  • Wilkinson v. Shackelford, 478 F.3d 957 (8th Cir. 2007)
  • Wood v. Foremost Ins. Co., 477 F.3d 1027 (8th Cir. 2007)
  • Reliance Ins. Co. in Liquidation v. Chitwood, 433 F.3d 660 (8th Cir. 2006)
  • St. Paul Reinsurance Co., Ltd. v. Hristov, 155 Fed. Appx. 249 (8th Cir. 2005)
  • Schatz Family v. Franklin County, 422 F.3d 655 (8th Cir. 2005)
  • United Fire & Cas. Inc. v. Garvey, 419 F.3d 743 (8th Cir. 2005)
  • Dairy Farmers of America, Inc. v. Travelers Ins. Co., 391 F.3d 936 (8th Cir. 2004)
  • Capitol Indem. Corp. v. 1405 Assocs., Inc., 340 F.3d 547 (8th Cir. 2003)
  • In re Popkin & Stern, 340 F.3d 709 (8th Cir. 2003)
  • Smith v. Alexander Richardson Investments, 334 F.3d 712 (8th Cir. 2003)
  • United Fire & Cas. Ins. Co. v. Garvey, 328 F.3d 411 (8th Cir. 2003)
Community Activities
Reviewer, Missouri Bar CLE Publications
St. Louis Bar Foundation, Distinguished Fellow (1999)
Volunteer Lawyers Program of St. Louis Volunteer Lawyers Service Award (1994)

More About Mike

Education

  • Saint Louis University (J.D., 1985)
  • Saint Louis University (B.A., magna cum laude, 1982)

Bar Admissions

  • Missouri
  • Illinois
  • U.S. Supreme Court
  • U.S. Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit
  • U.S. Court of Appeals for the Eighth Circuit
  • U.S. Court of Appeals for the Tenth Circuit
  • U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Missouri
  • U.S. District Court for the Western District of Missouri

Recent Achievements

  • The Power List: Appellate Attorneys, Missouri Lawyers Media, 2021-2024
  • Super Lawyers - Appellate, Missouri & Kansas Super Lawyers (2005, 2008-2023)
  • Best Lawyers - Appellate Law, The Best Lawyers In America (2010-2024)
  • Best Lawyers - Insurance Law, The Best Lawyers In America (2019-2024)
  • Chambers & Partners, Missouri - Insurance, Band 2 (2020-2023)
  • Top Defense Win, 2022 Missouri Lawyers Media
  • Influential Appellate Advocate, Missouri Lawyers Weekly, 2022
  • Benchmark Litigation, State Litigation Star - Missouri (2019-2022)
  • Elected a Fellow in the American College of Coverage and Extracontractual Counsel (2016)
  • Lawyer of the Year - Appellate Law, The Best Lawyers In America (2013)
  • St. Louis' Best Lawyers - Appellate Practice, St. Louis Magazine (2010-2017)
  • Irish Legal 100 Honoree - The Irish Voice Newspaper (2013-2016)
  • Top 50 St. Louis Missouri & Kansas Super Lawyers (2012-2013, 2017-2018)
  • Law Firm Leader Award, Missouri Lawyers Weekly (2011)
  • Martindale-Hubbell AV Preeminent

Professional Affiliations

  • American College of Coverage and Extracontractual Counsel
  • Defense Research Institute
  • Missouri Organization of Defense Lawyers

Publications

  • Ethos and Written Advocacy
  • Due Process Limits on Punitive Damage Awards
  • Author, DRI Excess and Umbrella Insurance State-by-State Compendium (Illinois Law Summary) (DRI Defense Library Series 2012)
  • Co-Author, The New Appleman Insurance Practice Guide, Chapter 5, "Applying Doctrines to Override Policy Interpretation Principles" (Matthew Bender & Company, Inc., 2007)
  • Co-Author, Chapter 2, "Attorneys," Professional Liability Deskbook, Missouri Bar (2005)
  • Missouri Organization of Defense Lawyers Newsletter, "Due Process Limits on Punitive Damage Awards" (Spring 2004)

Speaking

  • Presenter, "Claims Handling 202: Tips and Tricks for Claims in MO & IL," Brown & James Insurance Law & General Defense Symposium, January 2024
  • Presenter, "Losing My Religion? Trends and Topics with Insurance Bad Faith Litigation in Missouri and Kansas," Brown & James Webinar, April 2023
  • Presenter, "Losing My Religion? Trends and Topics with Insurance Bad Faith Litigation in Missouri and Kansas," Brown & James Insurance Law & Medical Malpractice Defense Symposium, January 2023
  • "Section 537.065 - The New Legislation and Its Impact on Claims Handling," 2017 Brown & James Tort Reform Seminar: A New Day in Missouri (September 2017)
  • "Missouri's 537.065 Statute: The Good, the Bad, and is There Room for the Not So Ugly?" Brown & James General Defense & Insurance Law Symposium (January 2017)
  • "Recent Trends in Bad Faith," Brown & James Law Symposium (January 2016)
  • "Reserving Rights and Declining Coverage in Missouri," Brown & James Law Symposium (January 2014)
  • "The Ever Evolving Co-Employee Liability Law - Have We Reached the End?" Brown & James Law Symposium (January 2013)
  • "Construction Defects," Brown & James Law Symposium (2011)
  • "Fundamental Issues in Insurance Policy Construction and Interpretation," Missouri Bar Annual Insurance Coverage & Litigation Seminar (December 2010)
  • “The Use and Abuse of Section 537.065 and Consent Judgments,” Missouri Bar Annual Insurance Coverage and Litigation Seminar (December 2009)
  • "Class Actions, Plaintiff's Attorneys' Dream; Insurance Carriers' Nightmare," Central Claim Executives Association (October 2008)
  • "Explosions: Homeowner's Insurance with a Bang," Property Loss Research Bureau's Large Loss Conference (November 2004)