Atty. Patrick J. Ward

Atty. Patrick J. Ward

Patrick J. Ward is a lawyer practicing general practice, civil rights, government relations and 6 other areas of law.

Bismarck Bismarck 47 yrs experience 47 year
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Civil Rights & More Attorney · Serving Bismarck, ND · 47+ Years Experience

Profile Summary

About Patrick J. Ward at a Glance

Patrick J. Ward is a Partner based in Bismarck, North Dakota, practicing at Zuger Kirmis & Smith. They have 47+ years of legal experience, licensed to practice since 1979. Their practice focuses on employment, litigation, civil rights, government, and insurance. Admitted to practice in North Dakota (1979), U.S. District Court, District of North Dakota (1979), Illinois (1980), and U.S. District Court, Northern District of Illinois (1980). Educated at University of North Dakota (J.D., 1979) and Elmhurst College (B.A., 1976). Recognitions include AV Preeminent. Active member of State Bar Association of North Dakota (Past Member, Ethics Committee, 1983-1990 Chairman, 1985-1989) Defense Research Institute American Employment Law Council Past Member, Attorney Standards Committee. Serves clients in Bismarck, ND and the surrounding metropolitan area.

Verified attorney profile · Updated October 2026

About Patrick J. Ward

  • Patrick J. Ward is a lawyer practicing general practice, civil rights, government relations and 6 other areas of law
  • Patrick received a B.A. degree from Elmhurst College in 1976, and has been licensed for 47 years
  • Patrick practices at Zuger Kirmis & Smith in Bismarck, ND

Practice Areas Explained

Patrick J. Ward's Areas of Legal Practice

Each practice area below reflects the types of cases Patrick J. Ward handles, with a practical overview of what that area of law involves and how it may apply to your situation in Bismarck.

Employment Law in Bismarck

Employment lawyers represent workers in wrongful termination, discrimination, harassment, wage & hour disputes, and severance negotiations.

Patrick J. Ward is one of 167,770 employment attorneys indexed nationally. Browse employment attorneys in North Dakota →

Civil Litigation in Bismarck

Civil litigation attorneys for breach of contract, business disputes, civil rights, and class action lawsuits.

Patrick J. Ward is one of 450,751 litigation attorneys indexed nationally. Browse litigation attorneys in North Dakota →

Civil Rights in Bismarck

Civil rights attorneys for discrimination, police misconduct, constitutional rights, and civil liberties cases.

Patrick J. Ward is one of 69,634 civil rights attorneys indexed nationally. Browse civil rights attorneys in North Dakota →

Government & Administrative Law in Bismarck

Attorneys for administrative law, agency hearings, government contracts, licensing, and public benefits.

Patrick J. Ward is one of 131,162 government attorneys indexed nationally. Browse government attorneys in North Dakota →

Insurance Law in Bismarck

Insurance attorneys for coverage disputes, bad faith claims, denied claims, and policy disputes.

Patrick J. Ward is one of 120,903 insurance attorneys indexed nationally. Browse insurance attorneys in North Dakota →

Jurisdictional Context

Why Local Counsel Matters in Bismarck

Practicing law in North Dakota. Legal matters in North Dakota are governed by state-specific rules of civil and criminal procedure, statutes of limitations, and substantive law. Cases originating in Bismarck are typically filed in the local municipal court or the appropriate North Dakota state district court, depending on subject matter and amount in controversy. An attorney licensed in North Dakota brings working knowledge of local procedural deadlines, judicial practices in this venue, and the substantive law that applies to cases brought here. Out-of-state attorneys generally cannot represent clients in North Dakota courts without local counsel or pro hac vice admission.

Bismarck Courts and Legal Process

Choosing a Bismarck-based attorney means your counsel already knows the local docketing timelines, preferred filing formats, and how individual judges typically rule on procedural motions — details that only come from practicing in this jurisdiction day after day. That local familiarity can translate to better strategy, faster filings, and fewer costly surprises.

Looking for additional North Dakota attorneys? Browse all attorneys in Bismarck or all attorneys in North Dakota.

Frequently Asked

Common Questions About Patrick J. Ward

Where is Patrick J. Ward's law office located?
Patrick J. Ward's law practice is located in Bismarck, North Dakota. The firm is Zuger Kirmis & Smith. You can contact the office directly through this profile page.
What practice areas does Patrick J. Ward handle?
Patrick J. Ward focuses on employment, litigation, civil rights, government, insurance. Each practice area listed reflects experience handling cases of that type in North Dakota.
How long has Patrick J. Ward practiced law?
Patrick J. Ward has 47+ years of legal experience and has been licensed since 1979.
Where did Patrick J. Ward go to law school?
Patrick J. Ward earned their education at (J.D., 1979); (B.A., 1976).
How can I contact Patrick J. Ward for a consultation?
You can contact Patrick J. Ward directly through this profile page. Click "Ask the Attorney" to submit a question, or "Schedule a Consultation" to book a meeting. Most claimed-profile attorneys respond within one business day.
What awards or recognition has Patrick J. Ward received?
Patrick J. Ward's notable recognition includes: AV Preeminent.

Professional Profile

Why Clients in Bismarck Choose Patrick J. Ward

Selecting an attorney is one of the most consequential decisions you can make when a legal matter arises. Below are the core qualities that distinguish Patrick J. Ward's practice in the field of employment, litigation, civil rights, government, and insurance.

Decade-Tested Legal Experience

Patrick J. Ward brings 47+ years of hands-on legal practice — enough to have navigated the recurring fact patterns, procedural traps, and negotiation dynamics that shape case outcomes.

Multi-State Bar Admission

Licensed in North Dakota, U.S. District Court, District of North Dakota, and Illinois, Patrick J. Ward can represent clients in cases that span state lines or require counsel in multiple jurisdictions.

Broad Practice Area Coverage

Covering employment, litigation, and civil rights, Patrick J. Ward can address the full spectrum of a client's legal needs without requiring referrals to separate specialists for each issue.

Local Presence in Bismarck

A Bismarck-based practice means Patrick J. Ward attends hearings in the same courthouses, knows the local clerks, and understands the unwritten scheduling norms that affect every case filed here.

Case Types

Common Legal Issues Patrick J. Ward Handles in Bismarck

Below is a representative sample of the types of matters Patrick J. Ward has experience with under North Dakota law. If your situation involves one of these case categories, this attorney may be well positioned to help you understand your options.

Wrongful termination claims
Employment
Workplace discrimination
Employment
Wage and hour disputes
Employment
Non-compete agreement review
Employment

This list is illustrative, not exhaustive. Contact Patrick J. Ward directly to discuss the specifics of your situation.

Search Reference

How People Find Patrick J. Ward Online

Prospective clients searching for legal help in Bismarck commonly use a combination of the attorney's name and their specific legal need. The following search terms frequently lead people to this profile and to attorneys like Patrick J. Ward.

Patrick J. Ward attorney Patrick J. Ward lawyer Patrick J. Ward Bismarck Patrick J. Ward North Dakota Patrick J. Ward reviews Patrick J. Ward contact Zuger Kirmis & Smith law firm employment attorney in Bismarck employment lawyer Bismarck best employment attorney Bismarck top rated employment lawyer near me employment attorney North Dakota find a lawyer near me how to hire an attorney

If any of the above matches what you searched for, you've found the right profile. Use the contact options at the top of this page to get in touch with Patrick J. Ward directly.

Education & Law School Background

J.D.
University of North Dakota
- 1979
B.A.
Elmhurst College
- 1976

Awards & Professional Honors

AV Preeminent

Bar Admissions & Licensed Jurisdictions

North Dakota
Admitted: 1979
U.S. District Court, District of North Dakota
Admitted: 1979
Illinois
Admitted: 1980
U.S. District Court, Northern District of Illinois
Admitted: 1980
U.S. Court of Appeals, Seventh Circuit
Admitted: 1981
U.S. Court of Appeals, Eighth Circuit
Admitted: 1984
Montana
Admitted: 1991
U.S. Supreme Court U.S. Courts of Appeals, Ninth Circuit
Admitted: 1996

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