Thomas R. Ward

Thomas R. Ward, Civil Rights Attorney in Denver, Colorado

Over 29 years of legal practice · focused on Civil Rights, Consumer, and Criminal Defense · 5.0/5 rating from 2 verified client reviews

PartneratStuart & Ward Attorneys

Denver, CO

Practicing civil rights in Denver since 1997.

29+
Years practicing
5.0 ★
2 client reviews
4
Bar admissions

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Quick answer

Thomas R. Ward is a partner based in Denver, CO. The practice focuses on Civil Rights, Consumer, and Criminal Defense. Thomas has over 29 years of legal experience. Currently practicing at Stuart & Ward Attorneys. Rated 5.0 out of 5 from 2 client reviews.

Based in
Denver, CO
Experience
over 29 years
Known for
Civil Rights · Consumer · Criminal Defense
  • Handles Civil Rights, Consumer, and Criminal Defense matters from Denver, CO.
  • Over 29 years of practice as a licensed attorney.
  • Recognized with AV Preeminent.

About Thomas R. Ward: Thomas R. Ward is a partner based in Denver, CO. The practice focuses on Civil Rights, Consumer, and Criminal Defense. Thomas has over 29 years of legal experience. Currently practicing at Stuart & Ward Attorneys. Rated 5.0 out of 5 from 2 client reviews.

Areas of practice

Practice areas handled by Thomas R. Ward

Thomas concentrates on civil rights, consumer, criminal defense, drug crimes, and dui/dwi. Each area below outlines the kind of case Thomas handles, typical outcomes to expect, and how the intake process starts.

Civil Rights cases in Denver, Colorado

Thomas takes civil rights matters in Denver, Colorado. Typical engagements include intake calls to scope the issue, review of any records or filings you already have, and a written strategy memo before Thomas agrees to represent you.

Consumer cases in Denver, Colorado

Thomas takes consumer matters in Denver, Colorado. Typical engagements include intake calls to scope the issue, review of any records or filings you already have, and a written strategy memo before Thomas agrees to represent you.

Criminal Defense cases in Denver, Colorado

Thomas takes criminal defense matters in Denver, Colorado. Typical engagements include intake calls to scope the issue, review of any records or filings you already have, and a written strategy memo before Thomas agrees to represent you.

Drug Crimes cases in Denver, Colorado

Thomas takes drug crimes matters in Denver, Colorado. Typical engagements include intake calls to scope the issue, review of any records or filings you already have, and a written strategy memo before Thomas agrees to represent you.

DUI/DWI cases in Denver, Colorado

Thomas takes dui/dwi matters in Denver, Colorado. Typical engagements include intake calls to scope the issue, review of any records or filings you already have, and a written strategy memo before Thomas agrees to represent you.

Biography

About Thomas R. Ward — Over 29 years of Colorado civil rights experience

Thomas R. Ward is a partner based in Denver, CO. The practice focuses on Civil Rights, Consumer, and Criminal Defense. Thomas has over 29 years of legal experience. Currently practicing at Stuart & Ward Attorneys. Rated 5.0 out of 5 from 2 client reviews.

Tom Ward brings more than 19 years of courtroom litigation experience to his practice, which focuses on criminal defense, white-collar defense, and civil litigation in state and federal courts.

Tom began his legal career in 1997 when he graduated from the University of Colorado School of Law. After an internship with the ACLU of Colorado, he served as a Deputy State Public Defender for the Colorado Public Defender’s Office in both their Denver and Pueblo offices.

During this time, Tom represented thousands of accused individuals and developed a reputation as a tenacious and innovative courtroom litigator. Tom served as lead counsel in jury trials for defendants charged with offenses ranging from misdemeanors in county court to serious felony matters including first-degree murder and sexual assault.

From 2001 – 2016, Tom worked as the owner and Managing Attorney for The Ward Law Firm, P.C. Based in Denver, The Ward Law Firm, P.C. developed a reputation statewide for providing highly-skilled, aggressive, results-oriented representation in both criminal and civil cases, and was twice named to U.S. News and World Report’s Best Law Firms in the field of White Collar Criminal Defense.

While with The Ward Law Firm, Tom successfully represented individuals and corporate entities in a wide variety of cases including white-collar prosecutions in United States District Court, drug trafficking and serious violent felonies in state courts, and regulatory investigations and proceedings conducted by the Attorney General and other agencies. Tom has litigated numerous high-profile cases including a Jefferson County first degree murder trial that was featured on CBS 48 Hours.

Tom stays active in the legal community as member of the Colorado Criminal Defense Bar and the National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers, and serves on the Board of Directors of the Colorado Lawyers Committee.

PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE

- Intern, ACLU of Colorado (Spring – Summer 1997)

- Public Defender, Office of the Colorado State Public Defender, Denver Office (1997 – 1998)

- Public Defender, Office of the Colorado State Public Defender, Pueblo Office (1998 – 2001)

- Partner, The Ward Law Firm P.C. (2001 – 2016)

- Partner, McDermott Stuart & Ward LLP (2016 – present)

HONORS/DISTINCTIONS

- Criminal Defense: White-Collar, Best Lawyers in America (2016 – present)

- Martindale-Hubbell AV Preeminent Rated (2013 – present)

- Colorado Super Lawyers (2014 – present)

- 10/10, AVVO (2017)

- Colorado Rising Stars, Super Lawyers (2009, 2010)

- Community Contribution Award, Colorado Lawyers Committee (2004)

- Winner, Rothgerber Moot Court Competition, University of Colorado School of Law (1997)

COMMUNITY SERVICE

- Volunteer, Homeless Court, Project Homeless Connect Convention (2013 – present)

- Board of Directors, Colorado Lawyers Committee

LECTURES & PUBLICATIONS

- Lecturer, Felony Murder, Hunter S. Thompson and the Last Gonzo Campaign, West LegalEdcenter (2011)

- Lecturer, Medical Marijuana and the Federal Non-Enforcement Policy, West LegalEdcenter (2011)

- Interview, "Featured Alumni: Dru Nielsen ('97) and Tom Ward ('97)", Colorado Law, University of Colorado Boulder (2019)

- Interview, “Criminal Risk Assessments in Colorado,” Super Lawyers Magazine (2018)

- Interview, “A Blurry Picture,” Law Week Colorado (2017)

PROFESSIONAL AFFILIATIONS

- Member, National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers (2014 – present)

- Member, Colorado Bar Association (2002 – present)

- Member, Criminal Justice Act Panel, U.S.D.C for the District of Colorado (2002 – present)

- Member, Colorado Criminal Defense Bar (2001 – present)

Working with Thomas on a civil rights matter

Tom Ward brings more than 19 years of courtroom litigation experience to his practice, which focuses on criminal defense, white-collar defense, and civil litigation in state and federal courts. Tom began his legal career in 1997 when he graduated from the University of Colorado School of Law. After an internship with the ACLU of Colorado, he served as a Deputy State Public Defender for the…

Who Thomas represents

Thomas reviews new inquiries case-by-case for civil rights, consumer, and criminal defense matters in Denver and the surrounding Colorado area.

Credentials

Thomas R. Ward's legal education and bar admissions

  • University of Colorado School of Law

    J.D. · 1997

  • University of Illinois

    B.A. Phi · 1993

Jurisdictions

Thomas's state bar admissions

  • United States Suprem

    2007 · ACTIVE

  • United States Court

    2006 · ACTIVE

  • United States Distri

    2003 · ACTIVE

  • Colorado

    1997 · ACTIVE

Thomas studied at J.D. in University of Colorado School of Law and B.A. Phi in University of Illinois.

Law school and academic background

Thomas completed J.D. in University of Colorado School of Law and B.A. Phi in University of Illinois. Formal legal training is one signal of substantive knowledge — the day-to-day practice Thomas runs in Colorado is where that training gets applied to real client questions.

Recognition

Awards, publications, and recognition of Thomas R. Ward

Thomas has received 1 formal recognition from bar associations, industry bodies, and peer-review services.

  • AV Preeminent

Legal awards and honors

AV Preeminent.

Affiliations

Thomas's professional memberships and bar associations

  • Member, National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers (2014-present) Board of Directors, Colorado Lawyers Committee (2013 - present) Member, Colorado Bar Association (2002 - present) Member, Criminal Justice Act Panel, U

    membership

  • S

    membership

  • District Court for the District of Columbia (2002 - present) Member, Colorado Criminal Defense Bar Association (2001 - present) Volunteer, Homeless Court, Project Homeless Connect Convention

    membership

Locations

Thomas R. Ward's office in Denver

Thomas's primary office is at 140 East 19th Avenue, Suite 300, Denver, CO, 80203. In-person meetings are by appointment; a phone intake usually comes first.

Main office

Stuart & Ward Attorneys

140 East 19th Avenue, Suite 300

Denver, CO 80203

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Client feedback

Client reviews of Thomas R. Ward — 5.0/5 rating from 2 verified client reviews

Every review below is from a verified client of Thomas. Reviews cover communication, case outcome, and value — the three signals that matter most when comparing civil rights attorneys in Denver.

5.0

2 client reviews

Client ratings are sourced from public records and editorial research. Reviews on LawyersListed are accepted from verified clients once Thomas R. Ward claims this profile.

Read all reviews

Hiring guide

How to hire Thomas R. Ward — what to expect in your first consultation

Working with a new civil rights attorney should feel structured. Here's how the first two conversations with Thomas usually go, from the moment you request a consult to the day representation begins.

Consultation formats and pricing

Thomas charges for the initial consult. That fee is credited toward representation if you retain Thomas's office.

What to bring to your first meeting

Bring any documents you already have — police reports, medical records, filed pleadings, correspondence from an insurer, a copy of the contract at issue. If you're not sure, err on the side of bringing everything; Thomas will tell you what matters and what doesn't.

Questions to ask a civil rights attorney in Denver, Colorado

A short list to run through before you commit: How many civil rights matters have you handled in the last year? What's your fee structure? Who else in the office will work on this? What's your realistic estimate of timeline and range of outcomes? How do I reach you between meetings?

Fees & payment

Fees, payment methods, and consultation options for Thomas

Thomas discusses fees during intake so the arrangement fits the matter. Contingency, hourly, and flat-fee options are all common in civil rights practice — ask which fits.

Hourly rates, contingency fees, and flat-fee options

Every civil rights matter is priced differently. Simple document review might be a flat fee. Injury litigation is often contingency. Complex commercial disputes usually run hourly with a retainer. Thomas confirms the model in the engagement letter before any work starts.

Payment methods and payment plans

Thomas's office accepts standard payment methods. Ask about payment plans if the retainer is a stretch — many civil rights practices work with clients on structured schedules.

Frequently asked

Frequently asked questions about Thomas R. Ward

  • How much does it cost to hire Thomas for a civil rights case?

    Cost depends on the type of matter, the fee model (contingency, flat, hourly), and how contested the case becomes. Thomas walks through the likely range during the consult so there are no surprises.

  • Does Thomas offer a free consultation?

    Thomas charges for the initial consult; that fee is credited toward representation if you retain Thomas's office. Some civil rights attorneys offer free consults — check Thomas's current terms during booking.

  • How long do civil rights cases in Colorado typically take?

    Simple civil rights matters can wrap in a few weeks; disputed cases can run 6–18 months from intake to resolution, longer if the matter goes to trial. Thomas gives a realistic estimate for your facts at the consult — vague answers here are a red flag.

  • Can Thomas take my case if I'm outside Denver?

    Thomas is licensed in Colorado. Matters governed by Colorado law are the natural fit. Out-of-state matters are handled case-by-case, sometimes with local co-counsel. Ask during intake — Thomas will tell you if the case is a fit or refer you to someone closer to your court.

  • What should I bring to my first meeting with Thomas?

    Bring every document that touches the dispute: contracts, correspondence, police or medical reports, filed pleadings, invoices, photographs, insurance letters. Also bring a written timeline of what happened, in your own words. Thomas will filter what matters — over-preparing at intake is always cheaper than needing a second meeting.

  • Is Thomas accepting new civil rights clients right now?

    Thomas's intake status shifts week to week. Submit the form; the office will confirm availability or refer the matter out.

Areas served

Civil Rights attorneys serving Denver, Colorado Springs and Boulder in Colorado

Thomas handles civil rights matters throughout Colorado. Each city below is a direct link into the search page for verified civil rights attorneys in that community.

More counsel

If Thomas's intake is full or the fit isn't right, these civil rights attorneys in Denver handle similar matters. Every profile below is verified and open to consultations.