Ward Richards
Ward Richards Neutral
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Overview

Ward Richards

Ward Richards has mediated more than 2,100 disputes involving employment, commercial and business litigation, construction, real estate, partnership and shareholder disputes, labor issues, divorce and custody matters, estate conflicts, tax matters, professional liability claims, and cases involving personal injury and product liability.

He has 40 years of legal experience across a broad range of subject matters, including 34 years devoted to mediation and alternative dispute resolution. Ward combines legal knowledge, practical judgment, and business insight to help individuals and organizations reach meaningful, lasting resolutions. He has also served as both a sole arbitrator and panel chair in multiple arbitrations.

Ward began his career as a federal district court law clerk before working as both a litigator in the private practice of law and corporate counsel for a publicly traded multinational manufacturing company with $800 million in annual sales at the time. His diverse professional background, along with extensive involvement in civic and professional organizations, provides a strong understanding of legal systems, business operations, and the dynamics of conflict.

Ward completed his initial mediation training in 1992 and has since pursued advanced training nationwide, including the 35-hour Negotiation Workshop at Harvard Law School led by Roger Fisher, co-author of “Getting to Yes.” He has also participated in national conferences hosted by the American Bar Association and the Association for Conflict Resolution.

A leader in the field, Ward co-founded the Mediation Center of Kentucky, Inc., the state’s first mediation center, and later helped develop the Mediation Center of the Coastal Empire in Savannah, Georgia. In 2000, he founded The Mediation Group, LLC, Savannah’s first private mediation and arbitration firm, where he mediated and arbitrated a diverse range of cases for 10 years.

Ward has served in all three branches of the federal government. In 2009, he was appointed a federal mediator with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission’s Atlanta District Office, where he mediated more than 1,650 employment discrimination cases, achieving settlement rates well above the national average.

He is a frequent speaker, trainer, and consultant, presenting programs across the United States and internationally. His work includes teaching roles in Europe and speaking engagements at national and regional conferences. He has also provided training and consulting services for Fortune 500 companies, government agencies, and nonprofit organizations.

Since 2017, Ward has served as an adjunct professor of law at Emory University School of Law, where he teaches negotiations, deal skills, and contract drafting. He also coaches the school’s Transactional Law Negotiations Team, which regularly earns top national honors, and has coached student teams participating in national representation in mediation and arbitration competitions.

Known for his calm demeanor, patience, and ability to build rapport, Ward is recognized for guiding parties through complex and emotionally charged disputes with professionalism, clarity, and empathy.

 

Admitted to Practice

  • Commonwealth of Kentucky
  • U.S. District Courts for the Eastern and Western Districts of Kentucky
  • U.S. Court of Appeals, Sixth Circuit

 

Education

  • Education For Ministry, School of Theology of the University of the South, 1997
    • Certificate, Sewanee, Tennessee
    • Four-year program providing extensive theological education. Previously known as Theological Education by Extension
  • University of Louisville School of Law, 1986
    • Juris Doctor
    • Dean’s List, president and vice president, Student Bar Association
  • University of Kentucky, 1983
    • Bachelor of Business Administration
    • Graduated with Department Honors, Dean’s List, Omicron Delta Kappa Leadership Honor Society, president and vice president of Theta Chi Fraternity, Student Government Association senator

     

    Professional Affiliations

    • American Bar Association – Section of Dispute Resolution, member
    • Association for Conflict Resolution, member
    • Kentucky Bar Association – Alternative Dispute Resolution Section, member
    • Savannah Bar Association, founder and former chair of Alternative Dispute Resolution Committee
    • Appointed by the Chief Justice of Kentucky Supreme Court in 1991 to a task force established to develop the first mediation center in Kentucky – The Mediation Center of Kentucky, Inc.
    • The Mediation Center of the Coastal Empire, Savannah, GA and The Mediation Center of Kentucky, Inc.
      • Former member of the board of directors and vice president
    • Georgia Office of Dispute Resolution – served four years as a member of the Mediation Study Group appointed to make recommended changes to Georgia’s alternative dispute resolution rules and ethical standards for registered neutrals.

     

    Selected Speaking Engagements & Mediation Training Provided

    • EEOC Atlanta District Office, Pro Bono Mediator Training – prepared materials for and conducted training of new EEOC pro bono mediators, January 2026
    • S. Small Business Agency (“SBA”) – “EEO 101 for Small Businesses, What You Don’t KNOW Can HURT” – virtual webinar for over 200 small businesses located in several states, June 2023
    • Emory University School of Law, Atlanta, Georgia, guest presenter, employment law class – created materials for and participated in a mock mediation involving a claim of sexual harassment, April 2023
    • A View from the Inside: One-On-One with the EEOC, Atlanta, GA – presentation on EEOC’s national mediation program and practical tips for effective mediation
      • Freeman, Mathis & Gary LLP, Atlanta, Georgia – October 2022, September 2007
      • The Kirby G. Smith Law Firm, Atlanta, Georgia – September 2022
      • Fisher & Phillips LLP, Atlanta, Georgia – September 2022
      • Ogletree Deakins, Atlanta, Georgia – August 2022
      • Hiscox Insurance Company, Atlanta, Georgia – March 2018
    • Emory University School of Law, Atlanta, Georgia – “Pathways to Employment Law” – panel member, September 2018
    • EEOC Training Institute, Excel Training Conference, “Examining Conflicts in Employment Law” – national conference for HR professionals – created materials for and participated in a mock mediation involving a claim of sexual harassment, Atlanta, Georgia, August 2018
    • Institute of Continuing Legal Education in Georgia, Administrative Law for Attorneys, Atlanta, Georgia – “EEOC’s Mediation Program”, February 2017
    • Federal Aviation Administration, Southern Region (eight states and two territories), Atlanta, Georgia – “Practical Mediator Skills – Getting to Yes in Employment Mediation” – prepared materials for and conducted an advanced eight-hour mediation training session for FAA mediators, July 2016
    • EEOC Training Institute,13 paid training sessions to businesses and county government employees in Georgia – EEO 101 for Managers and Supervisors – awareness and compliance, including a discussion of EEOC mediation program, 2009 – 2024, examples include:
      • City of East Point, Georgia, September 2024
      • Columbus Technical College, Atlanta, Georgia, June 2021
      • Regional hotel and hospitality company, Atlanta, Georgia, multiple years
    • Association for Conflict Resolution, Sixth Annual National Conference, Philadelphia, PA – “The Agent of Reality: How Far Can You Go? When Does Reality Testing Become Evaluative Mediation?” – (co-presentation with Zena D. Zumeta), October 2006
    • American Bar Association, 8th Annual Section of Dispute Resolution National Conference, Atlanta, GA – “The Agent of Reality: How Far Can We Go?” Reality Testing and the Facilitative Mediator – (co-presentation with Zena D. Zumeta), April 2006
    • Association for Conflict Resolution, Georgia Chapter Meeting, Savannah GA, August 2005
      • “The Seven Elements of Negotiation: What Every Mediator Should Know”
      • “The Agent of Reality: How Far Can You Go?” – (co-presentation with Zena D. Zumeta)
    • 11th Annual ADR Institute and 2004 Neutral’s Conference, ICLE, Lake Lanier, GA – “The Agent of Reality: How Far Can You Go?” – (co-presentation with Zena D. Zumeta), November 2004
    • Georgia State University College of Law, First Annual Peach State Update CLE, Savannah, GA – “Alternative Dispute Resolution in Georgia”, October 2004
    • Summer Academy in International Commercial Arbitration, Linz, Austria; Munich, Germany; Prague, Czech Republic – faculty member, May/June 2004
    • Savannah Bar Association, Savannah, GA – “Hot Topics” CLE Seminar: “New Developments in Mediation and Arbitration; Professionalism and Ethics for Attorneys Participating in ADR”, January 2003
    • 10th Annual ADR Institute and 2003 Neutral’s Conference, ICLE, Lake Lanier, GA – “The Seven Elements of Negotiation – A Practical Way of Getting to Yes in Mediation”, June 2003

Publications

  • “7 Principles for Resolving Church Conflict,” Trinity News: The Magazine of Trinity Wall Street, 2012
  • “Elephants in the Sanctuary,” in Doing Holy Business: The Best of Vestry Papers, Chapter 9, “Conflict and Controversy,” 2006
  • “Elephants in the Sanctuary,” Vestry Papers, March 2005

 

Community Involvement

  • Jury Commissioner, Chatham County, GA (2002-2005)
  • Episcopal Church Foundation, New York, NY (1998- 2006)
    • Member, Board of Trustees
    • Member, Finance Committee
    • Chair, Research and Development Committee (2000-2004)
    • Co-Chair, Learning and Leadership Committee
    • Co-Chair – Cornerstone Committee (lay and ordained leadership development)
    • Member, Planned Giving Committee
    • Cornerstone Advisory Council
    • Vestry Papers Advisory Board
  • Episcopal Church Pension Fund, New York, NY (2000 – 2004)
    • Abundance Committee – advisory committee to the Board of Trustees of the Church Pension Group to help discern possible and appropriate uses of additional reserves of almost $1 billion
  • Episcopal Diocese of Georgia, Savannah, GA (2000 – 2007)
    • Commission on Ministry
    • Committee on Implementation of Ministries (including development of a gift planning program and other fund development efforts in the Diocese)
    • Consultant to the Bishop of Georgia and parishes (conflict resolution)
  • Peter’s Episcopal Church (1993 – 2007)
    • Member of Vestry; Endowment Fund, chair, co-chair Awareness Program; Committee to Develop Planned Giving Program and Endowment Fund; Finance Committee; Rector Search Committee; Vicar Search Committee; Organist/Choir Director Search Committee; Youth Group Committee, chair; Steering Committee and co-chair of Pacesetters portion of capital funds campaign for new classroom wing/parish hall; Team leader and canvasser for multiple annual stewardship campaigns; Stewardship Sermon – Annual Giving Campaign; EFM (Education for Ministry) Mentor; Sunday School teacher; instrumentalist, choir (guitar).
  • United Way Campaign, Lexington, KY (multiple years)
  • Savannah Country Day, Savannah, GA
    • Co-chair, Telephone Fund Drive, Annual Fund (three years)
    • Middle school basketball coach (girls and boys)
    • Guest lecturer – Fourth Amendment, U.S. Constitution
    • Invited speaker – Middle School Annual Awards Committee
  • Youth Coach – 37 seasons (soccer, basketball, and baseball)
    • Coastal Georgia Soccer Association – Coach of the Year Award

 

Unsolicited Feedback

“Both prior to and during mediation Mr. Richards went out of his way to thoroughly understand each side’s perspective, ensured that each side had the opportunity to state their position, and employed the tools necessary to help each side be willing to negotiate and compromise. He also worked with both sides to understand the pros and cons of resolving their dispute and explored creative ways, both monetary and non-monetary, to get to a resolution… I had little optimism that the mediation would be successful, but Mr. Richards was persistent and worked hard to get the parties to an agreement… It was one of the best mediation experiences I’ve had in my 20 years of practicing employment law… My client also commented that it wouldn’t have gotten done were it not for Mr. Richards’ efforts, diligence, and approach, and it was one of the best mediation experiences she has ever had as well.”

“I was very impressed with the way Ward Richards handled the mediation. His knowledge of the business world, coupled with his legal background, make him an effective mediator. He was well prepared, related well with the attorneys and the clients, and showed great skill in the mediation process. I commend him highly.”

“I’ve done mediations with the EEOC all over the country and you are the best I’ve ever had.”

“I sincerely appreciate your assistance with this matter. My anxiety was very high, and I was worried beyond measure. Your kindness and fairness made it a more bearable process… You’re the perfect person for this sort of work…”

“You are the most patient person. Nobody else could have gotten this settled.”

“My clients and I greatly appreciated Ward’s persistence and diligence in getting to a resolution. He went the extra mile with a challenging dynamic.”

“I was really impressed with your mediator, Mr. Ward Richards. He was professional with a great rapport. He fostered an air of mutual respect and informality that was comforting and probably preempted any possible tension. I have never been involved in such a proceeding and quite frankly didn’t know what to expect. Mr. Richards allayed my nervousness. He made me feel I was in a fair environment and confident in his neutrality. He was clear and concise and on target when summarizing both parties’ comments for each other to understand. I feel Mr. Richards’ acumen was conducive to the swift and agreeable resolution of my case.”

Rates and Fees

Rates - Ward Richards

If you have questions regarding our rates and fees, please contact support@milesadr.com

Atlanta Rates (4hr Min.) Savannah Rates (4hr Min.)
2 Party Case: $500 per party; per hour 2 Party Case: $450 per party; per hour
3 Party Case: $450 per party; per hour 3 Party Case: $400 per party; per hour
4 Party Case: $400 per party; per hour 4 Party Case: $350 per party; per hour
5+ Party Case: Flat Rate Available Upon Request 5+ Party Case: Flat Rate Available Upon Request

Reduced-Rate – Qualifying Employment Cases (Total annual employee compensation $60,000or less) $3,000 flat day rate split equally between the parties

Travel time and expenses, including meals and lodging, billed separately and split equally among the parties at the Neutral’s hourly rate.
Pre/Post Consultation & Document Review: Hourly Mediation/Arbitration Rate

Arbitration Rates Available Upon Request

Mediation Admin Fees
Savannah Mediation Admin Fee - $250 per party
Atlanta Mediation Admin Fee - $500 per party