Firm Profile

Drew & Ward: Our History

Founding Partners George R. Drew and Richard H. Ward both served as pilots in World War II, and following the war pursued legal careers. In 1958 Mr. Drew and Mr. Ward established Drew & Ward, L.P.A. in the Central Trust Tower (now the Fourth & Vine Tower). The two lawyers based the partnership on ideals of serving clients with good counsel, cost-effective solutions and hard work. Today we hold fast to those ideals as our attorneys continue to provide legal services to businesses and individuals in the Greater Cincinnati, Northern Kentucky area.

Our practice

Our attorneys, each focused on specific areas of law, stay abreast of current legal developments in their respective fields. Today our firm serves individuals, families, and privately-held businesses, partnerships, and corporations, and our areas of practice include business law, family law, real estate, construction, estate planning, and civil litigation in Ohio and Kentucky state and federal courts.

"My goal has always been to provide friendly and prompt service. I hope to put my clients at ease relative to their legal problems and projects."

Founding Partner Richard H. Ward

As attorneys we provide our clients with the benefit of our diverse backgrounds and varied experiences. We share, however, a desire to establish close, long-term relationships with those clients. Our firm's moderate size and emphasis on client relationships creates an atmosphere in which lawyers are accessible and responsive — to our clients and to each other.

Service to our community

We are committed to community service, and as individuals and as a firm have ongoing involvement with Deaconess Hospital, the University of Cincinnati Law School, Wyoming Youth Services Bureau, and other community organizations.

Service to the legal profession

Our lawyers are active in the legal profession and have chaired or otherwise served on the Cincinnati Bar Association committees on ethics, judicial ratings, trial and appellate courts, taxation, construction, and estate planning. Partner James R. Schaefer has been certified by the OSBA as a specialist in residential real estate law, and was appointed as a Registered Land Examiner for Hamilton County. Founding partner Richard H. Ward was President of the Cincinnati Bar Association from 1976 - 1977. He and others at our firm have served the Ohio State Bar Association and American Bar Association. Partner Mark W. Jordan has earned the rare certifications Fellow of the Life Management Institute (FLMI), Chartered Financial Consultant (ChFC), and Chartered Life Underwriter (CLU). Partners Robert M. Smyth and Nancy J. Frazier are both CALL (Cincinnati Academy of Leadership For Lawyers) fellows.

A number of the attorneys were named in 2004 through 2008, among the top lawyers in Cincinnati and Ohio, listed among the "Super Lawyers" published by Cincinnati Magazine. Two attorneys have been named as Super Lawyers - Rising Stars in 2005 through 2007.

The early stages of any legal process are critical. If you would like to speak with a member of the firm about a legal matter, we invite you to contact our Cincinnati, Ohio, office to arrange an initial consultation. Our attorneys will evaluate your legal position in light of your personal goals, and counsel you on alternatives.