Press Releases - July 2, 2007

RICHARD H. WARD HONORED AT 'VOICES OF GIVING' CEREMONY FOR BAR FOUNDATION LEGACY

Richard H. Ward, a founding partner of the Drew & Ward law firm, was honored at a special event June 16 for his generosity and foresight in creating a legacy at the Cincinnati Bar Foundation.

The "Voices of Giving" awards ceremony recognized 25 donors for their support of a variety of local non-profit organizations. The ninth annual event was presented as part of the "Leave a Legacy" initiative of the Greater Cincinnati Planned Giving Council, which serves eight counties in the area.

"These wonderful individuals embody the spirit of giving. Their essential support provides the current and future generations a better quality of life," said Mary Newman, chair of Voices of Giving for 2007. "We are pleased to honor these people who have transformed their passion into a generous donation that enriches our community and its institutions."

Mr. Ward has served on the board of trustees for the Cincinnati Bar Foundation for the past two years and is part of the Annual Advocate's Circle. He re-launched the planned gifts program of the foundation after a 10-year hiatus, and agreed to serve as chairman of the Planned Giving Committee.

With his help, the foundation established the "Legacy for Justice Society" to honor those who have made a deferred gift and to recognize others who include the foundation in their planned giving plans.

"Under Mr. Ward's guidance, our planned giving program increased by ten-fold," explained Rene McPhedron, director of the Cincinnati Bar Foundation. "Mr. Ward's gifts and efforts allow us to encourage understanding of, and respect for, the law in the community, particularly with young people; to improve the quality and administration of justice in all its facets; to support the delivery of legal services at an affordable cost for the poor, elderly and otherwise disadvantaged; and to foster professionalism and civility in the practice of law."

The Voices of Giving program was created in 1998 to support the efforts of local charitable organizations in marketing their planned giving programs. Since its inception, nearly 100 individuals from the Greater Cincinnati region, representing 57 local charitable organizations, have been recognized.

Mr. Ward said he is pleased to support the Cincinnati Bar Foundation and its work on behalf of the legal community.

"I'm proud of the fine accomplishments of the foundation in promoting the ideals of professional integrity and service to the public," he said. "My gift was meant to acknowledge those values and to be an enduring legacy for the legal profession."

Drew & Ward Co., LPA celebrates its 49th anniversary this year, enjoying a history of nearly five decades of service: service to clients, service to the law, and service to the community. Ray Drew and Dick Ward opened their office in the Central Trust Tower (now the Fourth & Vine Tower) in Cincinnati, Ohio in 1958. Both were pilots during World War II and returned to pursue legal careers after admiring attorneys in their own families. The two founded the firm based on the ideals of serving clients with good counsel, cost effective solutions and hard work.

For more information, call 513-621-8210.