In Memoriam: Daniel A. Ward 1952 – 2026

It is with great sadness that we share Daniel A. Ward, our longtime colleague, friend, and retired Founding Partner, passed away on September 21, 2026.

Dan was an exceptional lawyer, but those of us fortunate enough to know him will remember him for so much more.

Over more than 40 years in practice, including 23 years at Frantz Ward, Dan earned the trust of his clients through fierce advocacy, sound judgment, and an extraordinary commitment to the people he represented. He was a relentless negotiator and tireless advocate, particularly for health care providers navigating difficult labor and employment matters. His clients knew that when Dan was in their corner, he would give them everything he had. He understood that behind every legal issue were people, livelihoods, organizations, and communities that mattered.

That understanding was simply part of who Dan was.

Within Frantz Ward, Dan’s influence is difficult to measure because it reaches far beyond the firm he helped found. He invested in people. He mentored younger lawyers, supported his colleagues, shared his judgment freely, and was there when someone needed advice, perspective, or simply a friend. He had a remarkable combination of strength and empathy, conviction and humility. He could challenge you, make you think, make you laugh, and leave you better for having spent time with him.

Dan also believed deeply in being part of something larger than himself. His commitment to his clients, his profession, and his community reflected the same values he brought to his relationships: integrity, generosity, loyalty, and a genuine concern for others. The impact of a life like Dan’s cannot be captured by a list of professional accomplishments. It is found in the people he helped, the careers he shaped, the relationships he built, and the countless ways he made his firm and his community better.

For those of us at Frantz Ward, Dan’s legacy is especially personal. The firm bears his name, but his imprint on Frantz Ward runs much deeper than that. The values he brought to its founding; the importance of relationships, principled advocacy, hard work, humility, and treating people well remain part of the character of this firm today.

We are enormously grateful for everything Dan gave to Frantz Ward and to each of us who had the privilege of knowing him. We were fortunate to have him as a founder, mentor, colleague, and friend.

We were even more fortunate to have Dan in our lives.

He will be deeply missed, but the example he set and the lives he touched will ensure that his influence endures for generations to come.

View his obituary here.

A celebration of life will take place in Jupiter, Florida at a future date. Those wishing to honor Dan may send donations to West Side Catholic Center or The Centers for Families and Children in Cleveland.