Emily C. Ward | Atlanta Circuit, Post 14

Candidate Statement

I am running for the Board of Governors because I believe deeply in the power of community and in our shared responsibility to support lawyers at every stage of their careers.

From the moment someone takes their oath, through the early years of finding a niche and building a practice, to changing firms or even industries, stepping into leadership roles and ultimately retirement, the State Bar should be a steady, trusted partner. A strong Bar provides meaningful education, practical resources, mentorship, real connections and support in moments of crisis. Our State Bar succeeds in many ways, but there is room to grow.

I chose law knowing I was joining a lifelong community, and I have spent my career investing in that belief. I have seen firsthand what happens when lawyers are supported, heard and invited to serve. As president of the Atlanta Bar Association, I worked to strengthen relationships, steward resources responsibly, respond to unexpected challenges, and encourage others to invest their own time and talents in supporting the Bar and the vital work lawyers do. Time after time, lawyers rose to the challenge and answered the call.

I also understand the realities we all face in balancing demanding practices with family life, personal well-being, public service and the constant evolution of our profession. If elected, I will advocate for practical support, meaningful engagement, and opportunities to mentor and lead at all stages of a legal career. Most of all, I will work to ensure every Georgia lawyer feels part of something larger than themselves.

I would be honored to earn your vote. Together, we can build a Bar that shows up for its members, strengthens our profession and fosters a true sense of belonging across Georgia. Thank you for your consideration and for all you do for our profession.

Education

• University of Miami (2009)
• University of Georgia School of Law (2013)

Personal/Family

• Longtime Midtown/Old Fourth Ward Atlanta resident
• Enthusiastic dog mom, avid gardener and competitive speed jigsaw puzzler; I also enjoy yoga, golf, surfing, hiking with my dogs, college football and attending live music performances.
• Driven entrepreneur who helped found and run two thriving Atlanta restaurants, Southern Belle and Georgia Boy, taking them from concept to Michelin Guide recommendation.
• Rhodes Scholarship national semifinalist; University of Miami Supreme Court, associate chief justice; I funded my education through music scholarships, part-time work and even state-level pageant wins.

Professional Background, Bar Activities, Civic Activities

• Building on a career focused on white collar defense, complex civil litigation, government investigations and nuanced administrative work, I founded Barron Ward LLC with one of my closest friends, Lynsey Barron, in 2025. We specialize in providing elite legal representation in high-stakes litigation, government investigations, white collar criminal defense and appellate matters. My recent work has included representation of potential defendants in federal environmental, cybersecurity, crypto currency, medical billing, public corruption, export compliance and tax fraud investigations. Other successes include my defense of the president of a company charged in an eight-count criminal environmental prosecution in a two-week federal jury trial. The Court granted a judgment of acquittal on the Clean Water Act conspiracy charge and one other substantive Clean Water Act charge at the close of the government’s case. After deliberating for three days, the jury then failed to return any felony convictions.
• Previously, I was a litigation partner at Smith, Gambrell, & Russell, LLP, and Continuum Legal Group, LLP, and an associate at Chilivis, Cochran, Larkins & Bever, LLP.
• State Bar of Georgia—YLD Litigation Committee co-chair (2019-20); YLD Leadership Academy (2019).
• Atlanta Bar Association—Immediate past president; Board member (2020-present); Atlanta Bar Foundation Board member (2023-present); other previous roles include serving as chair of the Criminal Law Section and Women in the Profession Section.
• Women’s White Collar Defense Association—Atlanta Chapter leader (2021-present).
• Northern District of Georgia Magistrate Judge Merit Selection Panel (2026-28 term).
• Chambers USA Ranked, Litigation White-Collar Crime & Government Investigations: Georgia (2022-present); Best Lawyers, Ones to Watch in America, Administrative/Regulatory Law; Commercial Litigation; Criminal Defense: White-Collar, Atlanta (2022-present); Daily Report’s Georgia Legal Awards, On the Rise (2022).
• Atlanta Business Chronicle, 40 Under 40 (2023); UGA School of Law Young Alumna of Excellence Award (2022); Catherine M. O’Neil Mentoring Award, Women’s White Collar Defense Association (2019).
• Atlanta Symphony Orchestra Advisory Board member; frequent volunteer for UGA mentorship programs, Trees Atlanta, Science ATL, and moot court and mock trial competitions.