Justin D. Ward is an associate in the Complex Litigation & Dispute Resolution group at Goodwin. He started at the firm in 2022. Justin’s practice involves representing a variety of clients—including life sciences companies, private equity firms and their portfolio companies—in securities litigation, M&A litigation, commercial disputes, restructuring litigation and other complex civil litigation, as well as regulatory and internal investigations.
Experience
Justin has substantial experience in all phases of complex civil litigation, from case inception through appeal, as well as regulatory and internal investigations. His representative matters include:
- Defending a pharmaceutical company against federal securities fraud claims related to alleged off-label marketing*
- Defending the portfolio company of a private equity firm against federal securities claims relating to a take-private transaction*
- Defending the former executive of a cryptocurrency company against a civil enforcement action brought by the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission*
- Defending an investment firm against claims to recover a disputed broker’s fee in state court*
- Representing a leading industrial firm in trade secret litigation against a major competitor*
- Representing creditors of a global satellite company at a contested plan confirmation hearing in federal bankruptcy court*
- Defending a global restaurant chain against lawsuits alleging discrimination in franchising and advertising*
- Defending an international sports organization against federal antitrust claims*
* Denotes experience prior to joining Goodwin
Professional Experience
Prior to joining Goodwin, Justin was an associate at Paul, Weiss, Rifkind, Wharton & Garrison LLP.
Credentials
Education
JD2014
Harvard Law School
MA2009
Duke University
BA2005
Washington University in St. Louis
Clerkships
U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit, Hon. Julius N. Richardson
U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia, Hon. Timothy J. Kelly
Admissions
Bars
- New York
- Massachusetts
Courts
- U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit
- U.S. Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit
- U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit
- U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of New York
- U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York
- U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia
- U.S. District Court for the District of Massachusetts
Publications
Justin’s recent publications and presentations include:
- Speaker, “2023-2024 Key Trends and Updates: Securities Litigation Against Life Sciences Companies,” April 3, 2024
- Co-Author, “Securities Litigation Against Life Sciences Companies 2023 Year in Review,” March 2024
- Co-Author, "What Comes Next for Sections 11 and 12(a)(2) After 'Slack'?" Law.com, November 8, 2023
- Co-Author, “High Court: Section 11 Securities Plaintiffs Must Trace Shares to Challenged Registration Statement,” New York Law Journal, June 26, 2023