Since 2008, Mark W. Ward has thrived as a partner with Ward & Lawless LLC, a prestigious firm located in Cocoa, Florida. Possessing a unique combination of regulatory, corporate and legal experience, Ward & Lawless is noted for their specialization in lobbying and campaign finance compliance. Over the course of the firm’s existence, Mr. Ward and his partner have been recognized as compliance specialists who are often consulted by clients, regulators, law firms and other various service providers. To wit, Mr. Ward has specialized knowledge of an abundance of lobby disclosure laws at various levels of government and has developed programs and tracking systems to manage compliance required under statutes.
Earlier in his career, Mr. Ward served as a client specialist in the political law group at Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP between 2000 and 2008. While serving the firm, he headed the team that administered compliance and reporting programs for its clients. Likewise, Mr. Ward served as the secretary of the Senate’s administrator for foreign travel and lobbying disclosure with the United States Senate between 1994 and 2000. There, he is most notable for directing the implementation of the Lobbying Disclosure Act of 1995 and was the lead innovator behind the electronic filing and disclosure system.
To prepare for his career, Mr. Ward pursued a formal education at the University of Maryland, from which he received a Bachelor of Arts in 1986. He went on to serve as a reserve officer with the Maryland Natural Resources Police, Marine Division, where he patrolled the Chesapeake Bay. Likewise, he served as an instructor at the Maryland Department of Natural Resources Policy Training Academy at Matapeake. During this time, he penned several training guides in relation to navigation, seamanship, boat handling, emergency procedures and police communications. He was honored with the Lifesaving Award from the United States Department of Transportation as well, having been recognized for saving the lives of countless individuals following a plane crash into the water.
Demonstrating versatility in his profession, Mr. Ward assisted the Council on Government Ethics Laws (COGEL) in preparing and compiling materials for their annual conferences between 2001 and 2007. He was afforded the opportunity to edit and publish the “COGEL Blue Book: Update on Legislation and Litigation” between 2003 and 2007” in both the United States and Canada. Alongside his primary professional duties, Mr. Ward is a Master Mason and serves as the junior deacon and perpetual member of Merritt Island Lodge #353 with the Free and Accepted Masons.
In his spare time, Mr. Ward enjoys tending to his gentlemen’s farm in Cocoa, Florida, alongside his wife, Maggie. He also owns the Riverside Carriage Company.
