John Ward Law Offices

In the complex legal and financial landscape of Washington D.C., individuals and organizations often face intricate challenges requiring highly specialized legal expertise. For those navigating the complexities of wealth preservation, charitable giving, or the unique regulatory environment of labor unions and their benefit funds, seasoned legal counsel is not just helpful—it’s absolutely essential. John D. Ward, Attorney at Law, brings nearly three decades of dedicated practice right here in Washington D.C., offering sophisticated and tailored legal solutions to a diverse clientele.

This article is specifically crafted for local users in the District of Columbia, providing a clear, engaging, and informative overview of John D. Ward's practice. We understand that whether you're a high-net-worth individual planning your legacy or a labor union managing intricate benefit funds, you need an attorney who combines deep legal knowledge with a practical, client-focused approach. John D. Ward has built a reputation for precisely that, focusing his practice on critical areas that require meticulous attention to detail and a profound understanding of tax and regulatory frameworks.

We will delve into his convenient Washington D.C. presence, the specific legal services he offers – with a particular emphasis on estate and business succession planning, tax matters for affluent families, and tax and ERISA issues for labor unions. We’ll also highlight the distinguishing features of his practice, including his extensive experience and educational background, which underscore his suitability as a trusted legal advisor in our nation's capital.

For D.C. locals, having access to an attorney with such a specific and long-standing focus on these niche areas provides immense value. This overview aims to empower you with the necessary information to consider John D. Ward as your dedicated legal partner, helping you achieve your financial and organizational goals with clarity and confidence.

John D. Ward operates his practice with contact information listed as 5101 River Rd. Ste 1710, Bethesda, MD 20816, but with a direct Washington D.C. phone number and a long history of practicing in D.C. His primary D.C. service area is supported by his decades-long presence and deep integration into the District's legal community. While the provided address is in Bethesda, MD, the consistent D.C. phone number and the context of the user's location in the District of Columbia suggest a strong operational focus and availability for D.C. clients.

Clients in the District of Columbia can connect with John D. Ward via the provided D.C. phone number: (202) 550-6089. For in-person consultations, the Bethesda location is readily accessible from various parts of D.C. via car. While it is not within immediate walking distance of a D.C. Metro station, the Bethesda area is well-served by public transportation, including the Bethesda Metro Station (Red Line), which can connect clients from D.C. For those driving, the location is conveniently situated near major roadways leading from Washington D.C. Parking options would typically include on-site parking or nearby commercial garages in the Bethesda area. The professional office environment provides a suitable setting for confidential and detailed discussions regarding complex estate planning, tax, and labor law matters. John D. Ward's established presence in the greater D.C. metro area ensures he remains accessible and deeply connected to the legal needs of the District.

John D. Ward's legal practice, spanning nearly 30 years in Washington D.C., focuses on sophisticated legal needs for two distinct client groups: financially successful individuals and families, and labor unions and their associated benefit funds. His services are characterized by deep expertise in tax and ERISA issues. Key areas of practice include:

• Estate Planning: Assisting individuals and families of means in developing comprehensive strategies to achieve their estate and business succession planning goals in a tax-efficient and family-friendly manner. This involves the preparation of various legal instruments.
• Trusts and Wills: Drafting and advising on the creation of wills, revocable and irrevocable trusts, and other foundational documents to ensure assets are managed and distributed according to clients' wishes.
• Charitable Giving: Working with individuals and families to establish discreet and effective lifetime and post-mortem vehicles for charitable giving, including charitable trusts, private foundations, supporting organizations, and public charities.
• Tax Controversy and Disputes: Representing clients in disputes with the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) involving complex tax issues such as income tax, gift tax, generation-skipping transfer tax, and estate tax, including asset valuation controversies.
• Estate and Trust Administration: Assisting clients with the proper administration of estates, trusts, and private foundations, ensuring compliance with legal requirements and client wishes.
• Labor Union Representation (Tax and ERISA Issues): Advising labor unions and their associated benefit funds on a wide variety of tax and ERISA (Employee Retirement Income Security Act) issues. This includes counsel on tax qualification issues for union-sponsored pension and health and welfare funds.
• Union Benefit Program Development: Working with labor unions to establish and develop innovative member benefit programs, ensuring legal and tax compliance.
• IRS and Department of Labor Audits: Representing both labor unions and union-sponsored benefit funds in connection with audits conducted by the Internal Revenue Service and the Department of Labor.

John D. Ward's practice is distinguished by several key features and highlights that underscore his expertise and suitability for clients with complex estate, tax, and labor law needs:

• Nearly 30 Years of D.C. Practice: With a legal career spanning almost three decades in Washington D.C., John D. Ward possesses extensive, firsthand experience and deep knowledge of federal and local laws relevant to his practice areas.
• Specialized Dual Focus: His practice is uniquely focused on two distinct yet complex areas: sophisticated estate and tax planning for high-net-worth individuals and families, and intricate tax and ERISA issues for labor unions. This dual specialization demonstrates a profound understanding of specific regulatory and financial landscapes.
• Sophisticated Tax Expertise: His work with financially successful individuals involves developing tax-efficient strategies for estate and business succession planning, as well as handling disputes with the IRS across various tax types (income, gift, estate, generation-skipping transfer tax), including complex asset valuation controversies.
• In-depth ERISA and Labor Law Knowledge: For labor unions, he provides critical advice on tax qualification, ongoing administrative and operational issues for pension and health and welfare funds, and representation during IRS and Department of Labor audits. His work includes developing innovative member benefit programs.
• Academic and Professional Credentials: John D. Ward holds a Bachelor of Arts degree magna cum laude from Dartmouth College (1974) and a Juris Doctor degree from Columbia University School of Law (1977), indicating a strong academic foundation.
• Big Firm Background: From 1978 through 2004, he was successively an associate of, a member of, and of counsel to Dow Lohnes & Albertson PLLC (now DowLohnes PLLC), a medium-sized Washington D.C. law firm with a diversified practice centered around the communications industry. This background provides experience with larger firm resources and complex legal matters.
• Bar Admissions: He is admitted to practice in the District of Columbia and the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, allowing him to serve clients effectively across these jurisdictions.
• Client-Centric Approach: While specific testimonials are not provided for this particular John Ward, attorneys with such a specialized focus typically prioritize personalized attention and tailored solutions to meet the unique and often sensitive needs of their clients in these areas.

As a highly specialized and experienced attorney practicing in complex areas of law such as estate planning, tax, and labor/ERISA, John D. Ward, Attorney at Law, does not typically offer "promotions" or "special offers" in the consumer-discount sense. Legal services in these fields are bespoke, requiring deep expertise, significant time, and meticulous attention to detail tailored to each client's unique circumstances, whether they are an individual with substantial assets or a large labor union. The value derived from his services comes from sophisticated planning, expert compliance, and effective resolution of disputes, which often translates into significant long-term financial benefits and peace of mind for clients.

However, prospective clients in the District of Columbia can anticipate certain inherent value propositions and professional commitments that underscore the quality and client-focused nature of his practice:

• Strategic Tax Efficiency: For estate planning, the primary "offer" is the development of tax-efficient strategies that help preserve wealth and ensure seamless business succession and charitable giving, potentially saving clients substantial amounts in taxes over time.
• Risk Mitigation and Compliance: For both individual and union clients, his expertise in navigating complex tax and ERISA regulations helps to mitigate legal and financial risks associated with non-compliance or audits by federal agencies like the IRS and Department of Labor.
• Personalized and Meticulous Attention: Given the sensitive and detailed nature of estate and tax planning, as well as union benefit fund management, clients can expect personalized attention and thorough analysis of their specific situations to craft precise legal instruments and strategies.
• Initial Consultation: While specific details on fee structures are not publicly listed, it is common for attorneys specializing in complex areas to offer an initial consultation to assess the client's needs and determine if there is a mutual fit, prior to formal engagement. It is always advisable to inquire about their policy regarding initial consultations when contacting the firm.
• Decades of Practical Experience: The longevity of his practice (nearly 30 years) ensures that clients benefit from a wealth of practical experience in handling similar intricate legal matters, leading to more efficient and effective solutions.

For specific inquiries regarding fee arrangements or to discuss your unique estate planning, tax, or labor/ERISA needs, the most effective approach is to directly contact John D. Ward, Attorney at Law. He will be able to provide detailed information based on your particular circumstances.

For individuals, families, and labor unions in the District of Columbia seeking experienced legal counsel in estate planning, tax, and labor/ERISA matters from John D. Ward, Attorney at Law, the contact details are as follows:

• Phone: (202) 550-6089
• Mobile Phone: +1 202-550-6089
• Address: 5101 River Rd. Ste 1710, Bethesda, MD 20816, USA (while his contact address is in Bethesda, he has a D.C. phone number and a long history of D.C. practice)

When reaching out, providing a brief overview of your legal needs will assist his office in directing your inquiry appropriately and facilitating an efficient initial discussion.

For residents and organizations within the District of Columbia facing complex legal challenges related to estate planning, intricate tax matters, or the unique regulatory environment of labor unions, John D. Ward, Attorney at Law, presents an exceptionally suitable and highly valuable legal resource. While his listed physical address is in Bethesda, his consistent D.C. phone number and nearly 30 years of practice in the D.C. legal landscape confirm his deep integration into and understanding of the District's specific needs.

His suitability for D.C. locals stems primarily from his highly specialized and dual-focused expertise. For financially successful individuals and families in our capital, navigating wealth preservation, charitable giving, and multi-generational transfers requires an attorney with sophisticated tax planning capabilities and a meticulous eye for detail. John D. Ward's extensive experience in crafting tax-efficient estate and business succession plans, coupled with his ability to handle IRS disputes, is an invaluable asset in a city with a high concentration of affluent individuals and complex financial structures.

Equally important is his profound understanding of labor union and ERISA law. D.C. is home to numerous national labor organizations, and their benefit funds operate under strict federal regulations. John D. Ward's decades of advising unions on tax qualification, compliance, and even representing them in IRS and Department of Labor audits, make him an indispensable partner for these vital D.C.-based entities. His capacity to develop innovative member benefit programs further demonstrates his commitment to serving the evolving needs of the labor community.

In essence, for D.C. locals, whether you are an individual planning your financial legacy or a labor union managing complex benefit structures, John D. Ward offers a rare combination of deep, specific expertise and long-standing practical experience right within the greater Washington D.C. metropolitan area. His focus on these niche, high-stakes legal areas ensures that clients receive tailored, knowledgeable, and effective counsel to navigate their most intricate legal and financial affairs.