News and Events

Law Day Celebration

Wed, 02 May 2012 09:55:38 -0400

Black Speaking to New Bar Admittees on Ethics

Wed, 02 May 2012 10:01:56 -0400

Presentation of Frances Black Holland Scholarship in Kannapolis

Wed, 02 May 2012 10:03:46 -0400

Black Speaking at Women's Leadership Summit

Wed, 02 May 2012 10:05:53 -0400

Black Receives Distinguished Service Award 2012 From Greensboro Bar Association

Mon, 23 Apr 2012 10:25:31 -0400

GREENSBORO, NC – Janet Ward Black, principal of the Greensboro personal-injury firm, Ward Black Law was presented the Distinguished Service Award for 2012 on April 18 from the Greensboro Bar Association for “her deep devotion and constant commitment to the law, the administration of justice, the highest ethical principles, and her dedicated public service.”

The Distinguished Service Award is given whenever the Greensboro Bar Association determines that a deserving member of the group has demonstrated the commitment and dedication to the law and the community with the highest ethical standards. Previous recipients include Judge William Osteen, Steve Crihfield and Judge Douglas Albright.

Presenting the award to Janet Ward Black, Greensboro attorney Harriett Smalls said, “(she) constantly amazes you when you hear and see what she has accomplished in addition to her law practice and all of her boards and affiliations. She travels all over the country as a motivational speaker and is an advocate for causes in which she strongly believes…Her enthusiasm, her unselfishness in giving of her time, and her ability to think ‘outside the box’ (are) all inspirational.”

In addition to heading up her own law firm representing thousands of injured individuals, Janet Ward Black has found the time to lead the North Carolina Academy of Trial Lawyers as president, as well as the 16,000 member North Carolina Bar Association. The program Black created while president of the North Carolina Bar Association for 2007-2008, “4 ALL,” has been used as a model in the United States and Canada for providing free legal services to the poor.

A member and strong supporter of groups that foster and nurture women in business, Black is active in the Women’s Professional Forum, the Women Presidents Organization and the Women’s Resource Center to name a few. She has also mentored young women for many years via North Carolina Girls State and through a new organization, the Queen’s Foundation, which prepares outstanding girls for leadership roles in the private and public sectors. A believer in community projects, Black has helped with Habitat for Humanity, Win-Win Resolutions and International Cooperating Ministries and encourages participation by her employees within her law firm.

Ward Black Law is a personal injury, workers compensation and social security disability firm in Greensboro, NC, dedicated to protecting people’s rights. It was named in 2010 and 2011 as one of the “Best Law Firms In America” by U.S. News & World Reports. Learn more about the firm on-line: www.WardBlackLaw.com.

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NC Governor and Industrial Commission to Review Workers' Comp Issues

Wed, 04 Apr 2012 16:07:11 -0400

According to an article on Reflector.com this week, North Carolina Governor Beverly Perdue plans to work with the Chairwoman of the North Carolina Industrial Commission, Pam Young on flaws in the workers' compensation system that were reported in the News and Observer of Raleigh earlier this month. The reports sights numerous situations where companies avoid purchasing workers' compensation insurance or report that they are self-insured, thus violating state law.

To read the entire article, click here.

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Black to Serve as Panelist on Gender and the Legal Profession

Fri, 30 Mar 2012 15:07:40 -0400

Attorney Janet Ward Black will serve on a prestigious panel of women of the legal profession discussing the changing role of women in law and the changing gender dynamics within the profession itself on Thursday, April 5 at the Wake Forest School of Law Worrell Professional Center at 1:00 pm. The panel will join United States Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg via a WebEx conversation.
The event itself is free and open to the public. Click here for more information.

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Drug Company Immunity Pushes Ahead in Raleigh Legislature

Thu, 29 Mar 2012 15:02:43 -0400

Raleigh, NC - The North Carolina Legislature is working on a bill that would limit the patients' rights to sue the pharmaceutical companies that produce drugs that turn out to have harmful effects. Janet Ward Black, other attorneys and ordinary North Carolinians are testifying to the members of the legislature about what such a bill would do to people who suffer catastrophic injuries or even death due to drugs that perhaps were not tested or investigated to the extent they should have been before they were released to the public.

Channel 14 News posted posted a video concerning this pending legislation. To access this article, click here.

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75th Anniversary of Miss North Carolina Gala

Wed, 28 Mar 2012 11:12:23 -0400

Janet Ward Black will take part in the 75th Anniversary Gala for the Miss North Carolina Pageant on June 22 in Raleigh. Along with the attending with of a large number of past winners, the women have submitted memoribilia from their reigns for display at the event. Select exhibits will remain at the North Carolina Museum of History for several months for viewing by the general public, showing how these women were influenced by the program and how they have inspired and led the women of North Carolina and beyond.

Janet Ward Black won the Miss North Carolina title in 1980 and used her scholarship money to attend law school. Her degree has lead her to a public career including serving as the President of the North Carolina Bar Association for 2007 to 2008. During her tenure there she was instrumental in establishing the 4ALL program to assist low-income people to getting legal assistance in the state. This program, successful and continuing to grow in popularity in North Carolina, will be taken nationally by the American Bar Association over the next couple of years.

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Black to Speak at Women's History Month Event at GTCC

Tue, 27 Mar 2012 14:52:29 -0400

JAMESTOWN, NC - The Diversity Committee at Guilford Technical Community College will celebrate National Women's History Month from noon until 1:30 p.m. Tuesday (March 27). A panel presentation by five women who have made an impact on Guilford County will highlight the celebration.

The event, which is open to the public, will be held in the auditorium of the Sears Applied Technologies Building on the Jamestown campus.

Panel members will speak about the obstacles they faced in their quests for success; how they created a balance between home and work; and advice for students as they seek success in the world of work, according to Linda Justice, chairman of the Diversity Committee.

"While the program is student-focused, we invite anyone who would like to attend this program," Justice said. "I believe it is important for students to have a strong female role model," she said. A question and answer session with the panel also is scheduled.

Justice will give a brief history of the women's movement and some notable "firsts" for women, and also will introduce the panel.
Panel participants:
•     Shermin Ata of Shermin Ata Architecture, who has more than 28 years of experience in creative design and construction methods. Her projects include work for GTCC, Greensboro Police Dept., Greensboro Parks and Recreation, Revolution Mills and Moses Cone Health System.
•    Valda Boyd Ford, founder and CEO for Center for Human Diversity. During the past 30 years, she has worked in more than three dozen countries with CEOs of Fortune 500 companies, tribal chiefs, Afghani teachers and Buddhist monks in efforts to decrease conflict and improve health
•    Janet Ward Black, who is principal owner of the personal injury law firm of Ward Black Law in Greensboro. The 20-person law firm is one of the largest woman-owned law practices in North Carolina. She has been president of the N.C. Association of Trial Lawyers and the N.C. Bar Association.
•    Loretta Rowland Kitley, principal of GTCC Early Middle College in Jamestown, has a rich history of education. A graduate of Allen County (KS) Community College, her studies have taken her to England and teaching/administrative positions in Kansas, Missouri and North Carolina.
•    Merikay Tillman, owner and CEO of COACHMKay Companies in Greensboro, has a diverse background as a restaurant manager, dental office manager, sales professional and consultant. She helps create action plans of "success that generates results."

Contact: ROBurchette@GTCC.edu                                          Released: 3/22/12
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Restoration Runway on March 29, 2012

Wed, 14 Mar 2012 13:15:59 -0400

On March 29, 2012, Ward Black Law will co-sponsor the third annual Restoration Runway, a fashion show and silent auction benefiting Restoration Place Ministries of Guilford County. The event will be held at the Greensboro Country Club at 6:00 that evening. Preceding the fashion show at 7:30 there is a reception and silent auction featuring donations from many local businesses and individuals. For tickets and more information about the event, click here.

Founded by Cindy Mondello, Restoration Place Ministries exists to facilitate emotional and spiritual healing to girls and women of any age, while restoring dignity, virtue, and honor to them, and empowering each to embrace her God-given identity. It is a place of restoration where the hurting and broken receive affordable and professional Christian counseling services. For more information about Restoration Place Ministries and the good work they are doing, click here.

Make plans to attend and enjoy Restoration Runway 2012, at the same time helping to increase the magnitude and impact Restoration Place Ministries can make on our community for the good of women!

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Paralegal Shaw Speaks to GTCC Paralegal Students

Tue, 06 Mar 2012 14:40:40 -0500

Ward Black Law paralegal Susan Shaw had the privilege of speaking to a group of students at Guilford Technical Community College about what she does as a certified paralegal. The students are in their first semester of classes to complete their classroom requirements in their Paralegal Program at the college.

Susan Shaw is a paralegal for Nancy R. Meyers, attorney for Ward Black Law. Susan has worked directly for Nancy for 8 years, previously at Pinto, Coates and Kyre also here in Greensboro. She has worked as a paralegal for a total of 17 years and received her NALA Certified Paralegal certification in 2000, her Advanced Certified Paralegal certification in Litigation in 2001, her North Carolina Certified Paralegal certification in 2005; and her Advanced Certified Paralegal in Social Security in 2011.

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4All Statewide Ask an Attorney Day – March 2, 2012

Tue, 07 Feb 2012 15:02:28 -0500

This year’s Ask an Attorney Day will mark the fifth year since the North Carolina Bar Association has sponsored a day on which the public could call an attorney and have any legal question they have answered for free. This year 500 volunteer lawyers will be available on March 2 on toll free lines across the state to help approximately 10,000 people with their questions.

This year call centers will be set up in seven North Carolina cities including a Spanish help center in Cary. Attorneys and other legal experts will man the lines from 7:00 am until 7:00 pm.

The “4ALL” campaign was initiated under the presidency of Janet Ward Black in 2007, setting a formula through which the NCBA commits to making legal services available to all North Carolinians, focusing on those at or below the poverty level. The slogan is an updated twist on the Pledge of Allegiance, “one nation, under God, with liberty and justice for all.”

The free call day is only one aspect of the program, which strives to improve the availability of legal services to all economic levels. Attorneys are encouraged to participate by not only contributing money to the Legal Aid organization, but to also provide pro bono services on a regular basis to the most needy members of the populace.

For more information about this year’s event or to volunteer to help or to donate, go to www.4allnc.org or call 1-800-662-7407.

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Black Awarded Athena Award by Greensboro Partnership

Fri, 27 Jan 2012 09:26:55 -0500

GREENSBORO, NC – Janet Ward Black, principal of the Greensboro personal-injury firm, Ward Black Law was presented the Athena Award by Greensboro Partnership last night at their Annual Dinner at the Koury Convention Center. Black was one of three Greensboro business people who received recognitions last night for their service to the community.

The Athena Award is given each year to an outstanding citizen who has devoted significant “time and energy to improve the quality of life for others in the community,” who has assisted other women to “reaching their full leadership potential,” and has demonstrated “excellence, creativity and initiative in their…profession.” Janet Ward Black is a living testimony to these goals.

The program Black created while president of the 16,000 member North Carolina Bar Association for 2007-2008, “4 ALL,” has been used as a model in the United States and Canada for providing free legal services to the poor. A member and strong supporter of groups that foster and nurture women in business, Black is active in the Women’s Professional Forum, the Women Presidents Organization and the Women’s Resource Center to name a few. She has also mentored young women for many years via North Carolina Girls State and through a new organization, the Queen’s Foundation, which prepares outstanding girls for leadership roles in the private and public sectors. A believer in community projects, Black has helped with Habitat for Humanity, Win-Win Resolutions and International Cooperating Ministries and encourages participation by her employees within her law firm.

Other winners at the Greensboro Partnership dinner were Susan Shore Schwartz, CEO for the Cemala Foundation, which aims to enhance the community through grants to various charitable organizations. Schwartz was awarded the O. Henry Award. The highest honor went to Tim Rice, president and CEO of Cone Health, who received the Thomas Z. Osborne Award for extraordinary service and achievement.

Greensboro Partnership, made up of the Greensboro Chamber of Commerce, the Greensboro Economic Development Alliance and Action Greensboro, formed in 2005 to coordinate the efforts of these groups to serve as the city’s primary economic and community development organization.

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Avandia Cases Settled in Mediation

Mon, 23 Jan 2012 14:09:08 -0500

On January 13, 2012, the majority of the lawsuits against the maker of Avandia were settled in U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania through mediation. The lawsuits were brought against the manufacturer, Glaxo Smith Kline, for their failure to warn people about the health risks involved in using the drug. Avandia, a diabetes drug, has been linked to increased occurrences of heart attacks and strokes.

The exact number of settled Avandia cases is unclear at this time, but lead plaintiff counsel indicated that there are over 20,000 individuals participating in lawsuits nationwide. The dollar figures of the settlement are confidential. Glaxo Smith Kline still stands behind the use of the drug when used properly according to label instructions.

In November, the presiding judge, U.S. District Judge Cynthia M. Rufe, put the pushed both sides to agree by giving both parties 75 days to resolve at least 85% of the cases. Judge Rufe promised to put the first 100 cases on the fast track to trial if the deadline wasn’t met.

Glaxo Smith Kline had previously been hit with a $3 billion settlement by the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Massachusetts for the company’s marketing practices and was the object of other investigations by the U.S. Department of Justice.
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2011 Toys for Tots a Success

Fri, 02 Dec 2011 08:38:29 -0500

What a day we had at the Ward Black Law office on December 1, 2011. This year we collected over 22 large boxes of toys and over $3000 in cash for the purchase of additional toys. We had the support of some great co-sponsors and contributors this year, which helped make the day a success. We will continue to accept toys and monetary donations through December 16 for those who could not make it by on the first.

The event day started early at 6:00 am with the arrival of the Marines and their humvee. Fortunately, the tent was heated because it was a crisp 32 degrees. Hot Starbucks coffee, Krispy Kreme donuts, and Chick-Fil-A biscuits got the day off to a warm start however. We were soon joined by the Chick-Fil-A Santa Cow and Sudsy, the Great clips shampoo bottle mascot. Great Clips stylists were on site to give free hair cuts to donors. For those who didn't have time to wait for that haircut, the stylists had coupons for a discounted cut at any of the local salons.

We were fortunate again this year to have Grill for God with us to prepare their delicious grilled chickens. Donors were offered a free chicken lunch with sides from Golden Corral. The Coca-Cola company kindly provided cold Coke products to go along with the meals. Entertainment was also on site during lunch, featuring the Out of the Garden Band and the Greater Piedmont Teen Challenge Men's Choir. WTQR was on site most of the day providing music and giveaways to the visitors. DJ's Jeff Roper and Angie Ward were here during part of the day greeting donors and supporting the Marines.

New this year we had entertainment for the children. Santa paid a visit in the afternoon. We also had a bouncey house, facepainting and a fantastic magician-balloon artist. Be sure to visit our Facebook page for photos of all the fun.

Elon Law Celebrates Pro Bono Work in Private Practice

Wed, 04 May 2011 10:24:17 -0400

In honor of the ABA National Pro Bono Celebration, Elon Law’s Office of Career Services and the Public Interest Law Society (PILS) recently hosted four Greensboro-area attorneys to speak on the role pro bono service plays in firm practice settings.

Participants in Elon Law’s October 2011 pro bon panel, from left, law student and panel moderator Melodie Menzer, Murray C. (Trip) Greason III of Womble Carlyle, Janet Ward Black of WardBlackLaw, Alex Elkan of BrooksPierce, Jennifer Adams Ledford of Higgins Benjamin, and law student Jason Senges, president of Elon Law’s Public Interest Law Society.On Oct. 26 Janet Ward Black, of WardBlackLaw; Alex Elkan, of BrooksPierce; Jennifer Adams Ledford, of Higgins Benjamin; and Murray C. (Trip) Greason III, of Womble Carlyle participated in a panel discussion to highlight their pro bono experiences. The discussion, moderated by second-year student Melodie Menzer, focused on dispelling the perception that pro bono service was something primarily provided by public interest attorneys and not those in firm practice.

The panel explored how firms of various sizes approach serving clients that would ordinarily be unable to afford their services. Ledford was quick to note that the panel represented a cross section of the private practice community with firm size ranging from four to over 400. Each panelist offered perspectives on both the benefits and challenges pro bono cases present to their respective firms with the overwhelming consensus that pro bono experiences were essential in the development of legal and personal skills for all attorneys, regardless of situation. Ward Black, especially, stressed how invaluable the legal experience gained through service could be in the present job market.

"The panel was an opportunity for students to hear from and talk to local attorneys about their work in the community and the importance of pro bono work,” said PILS President Jason Senges. “The panel was one of the many efforts from Elon Law students to highlight the work of these attorneys for their commitment to the community and the need to give back."

Panelists:

Ms. Ward Black is the principal owner of WardBlackLaw in Greensboro. She represents clients in the areas of personal injury, workers’ compensation, and defective products. Ms. Ward Black created the “4 All” program to provide legal services to the poor, a model now used throughout the United States and Canada.

Mr. Elken works in the Greensboro office of BrooksPierce in the areas of complex litigation and environmental law. Among a range of professional and community service activities, Elken serves on the community grants committee of the United Way of Greater Greensboro and the grants committee of the Community Foundation of Greater Greensboro Future Fund.

Ms. Ledford practices appeals, bankruptcy, and commercial litigation at Higgins, Benjamin in Greensboro. She also serves as a preceptor at Elon Law.

Mr. Greason is the first to hold the position of full-time Pro Bono Director at Womble, Carlyle, Sandrige & Rice and works in the Winston Salem office. He currently serves as Chair of the North Carolina Bar Association’s Public Service Committee.

Reprinted from Elon University website.

Ward Black Law Ranked First Tier in U.S. News – Best Lawyers® “Best Law Firms”

Wed, 09 Nov 2011 13:54:17 -0500

Ward Black Law, a personal injury firm located in Greensboro, NC, has been ranked Tier 1 by U.S. News - Best Lawyers® "Best Law Firms" for Mass Tort Litigation/Class Action, Personal Injury Litigation - Plaintiffs and Defendants.

U.S. News Media Group and Best Lawyers® have released the 2011-2012 "Best Law Firms" rankings, marking the second edition of this highly-anticipated annual analysis.

The national first-tier rankings will be featured in U.S.News & World Report's Money issue, on newsstands November 15, 2011; the national and metropolitan first-tier rankings are featured in the "Best Law Firms" standalone publication, which is being distributed to 30,000 general counsel and in digital format to 58,000 private practice lawyers worldwide; the rankings in their entirety are posted online at http://bestlawfirms.usnews.com. Selection criteria used can be seen at http://bestlawfirms.usnews.com/methodology.aspx.

Ward Black Law's president, Janet Ward Black, was also recently selected by her peers for inclusion in The Best Lawyers in America® 2012 (Copyright 2011 by Woodward/ White, Inc., of Aiken, S.C.) in the areas of personal injury and mass tort litigation.

The "Best Law Firms" rankings, which are presented in tiers, showcase 9,633 different law firms ranked nationally in one or more of 75 major legal practice areas and in metropolitan or state rankings in one or more of 119 major legal practice areas. Full data for the law firms that received rankings is available online, from the largest firms in the country to hundreds of one-person and two-person law firms, providing a comprehensive view of the U.S. legal profession that is unprecedented both in the range of firms represented and in the range of qualitative and quantitative data used to develop the rankings. Achieving a high ranking is a special distinction that signals a unique combination of excellence and breadth of expertise.

The mission of "Best Law Firms" from the start has been to help guide referring lawyers and clients - from the country's largest companies needing corporate legal advice to individuals needing to get a divorce or write a will - issues that have a bet-the-company implication (in the case of a corporation) or a potentially life-changing result (in the case of an individual).

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Ward Black Law Announces Date for Toys for Tots Kickoff Event

Mon, 24 Oct 2011 10:18:28 -0400

September 26 – National Mesothelioma Awareness Day

Fri, 23 Sep 2011 09:46:37 -0400

Each year September 26 is recognized as National Mesothelioma Awareness Day. In 2004 the Meso Foundation celebrated the first Awareness Day to heighten the public’s knowledge of mesothelioma: what it is, what causes it and who is at danger. The day also lets the public know about on-going research and how they can help find a cure.

Ward Black Law represents clients exposed to asbestos and diagnosed with any one of several asbestos-related diseases. Mesothelioma is the most deadly of the possibilities. Unfortunately, most every client that we are handling for mesothelioma specifically has passed away already from the disease. We are representing their families in the class action suits instead.

The following “Talking Points” are borrowed from the Mesothelioma Applied Research Foundation website at www.curemeso.org. Please access this website for up-to-date information about the disease, treatment and research.

1)    “Medical experts consider Mesothelioma one of the most aggressive of all cancers. The latency period from exposure to onset of symptoms can be up to 50 years.”
2)    “For decades the need for research to develop effective treatments has been mostly ignored. Today, mesothelioma has only one approved treatment that extends average survival by three months.”
3)    “While basic understanding of the cell biology is progressing, there have been few breakthroughs in the early detection or treatment of this deadly cancer. As a result, the median survival rate for patients diagnosed with mesothelioma is only about twelve months.”
4)    “Funding for research is key to the development of new treatments and learning how to target the appropriate patient care.”
5)    “Expect to see many Mesothelioma diagnoses in the coming years due to exposure by national crises such as September 11, where the twin towers had large amounts of asbestos fireproofing, so all of the first responders risk exposure. Hurricane Katrina also spread large amounts of asbestos, exposing both victims and those helping with clean up.”
6)    “Contaminated vermiculite can still be found in 35 million attics in the United States today.”
7)    “Asbestos has not been banned in the United States. Both the House and Senate tried to pass legislation banning asbestos as recently as 2007 but did not succeed.”
8)    “There is an established history of asbestos exposure in military service, and elevated risk of mesothelioma in the military population. Approximately one third of mesothelioma cases have been shown to involve exposures to Navy personnel or civilian workers in our nation’s shipyards.1”

Although mesothelioma is being called to the attention of the general public on September 26, the attorneys and staff of Ward Black Law are working every day on behalf of our clients and their families to seek at least financial justice for their illnesses and suffering. We have worked with many of these people for many years and have grown close to them so that we feel their pain and their losses over time. We pray that laws will be passed and cures found to prevent future cancers, especially mesothelioma.

For more information and the opportunity to donate to mesothelioma research, go to www.mesocure.org. If we can help you or a loved one who already suffers from prolonged exposure to asbestos, please contact us at 1- 877-256-1214 or click here.

1 Butnor, Sharma, Sporn, Roggli: Malignant mesothelioma and occupational exposure to asbestos: an analysis of 1445 cases. Ann Occup Hyg 2002; 46: 150‐153.

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