A. Ward McKeithen Receives Mecklenburg Bar Foundation’s Ayscue Professionalism Award

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Nov. 16, 2015

A. Ward McKeithen, an attorney with Robinson Bradshaw, received the Mecklenburg Bar Foundation’s Ayscue Professionalism Award at the Law & Society Luncheon on Nov. 12, 2015, in Charlotte, North Carolina.

McKeithen was recognized for always exhibiting the highest standards of professionalism and excellence in his 50-year career as an attorney with Robinson Bradshaw. In addition to his impressive service to the legal profession, his civic endeavors have had a tremendous impact on the Mecklenburg County community.

“Ward [McKeithen] is an exemplary person, an exemplary friend and partner, an exemplary contributor to the community and to the Bar, and an exemplary professional,” said friend and colleague Everett Bowman. His partners, including former Ayscue Professionalism Award winners Russell M. Robinson II and Robert C. Sink, added “his steady and gracious presence has enriched our firm for more than 50 years.”

After law school, McKeithen served as first lieutenant on active duty with the U.S. Army Reserve before joining Robinson Bradshaw in 1965. Since then, he has been generous with both his time and his talent with colleagues, clients and the community, including his tenure as president of the Mecklenburg County Bar in 1993-94.

McKeithen served as a member of the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools board of education from 1976-88, a time of intense challenges accompanying the end of racial segregation stemming from the Swann decision. He dedicated almost 40 years of service as a member of the board of trustees of Queens College, along with tenures as director of the Arts & Science Council and president and board member of the Charlotte Nature Museum.

In his legal practice, McKeithen is known for his unwavering integrity and ethical standards, even towards those on opposing counsels. As a litigator with Robinson Bradshaw, he has extensive trial and appellate experience in state and federal litigation across a wide range of civil cases. McKeithen has successfully prosecuted and defended numerous antitrust and class action securities lawsuits and commercial and business disputes.

Bowman notes, “I think it would be difficult to find a lawyer who has opposed Ward [McKeithen] in even the hardest-fought courtroom battle who does not think highly of him and respect him afterwards.”

A graduate of Duke University School of Law, McKeithen was a member of Order of the Coif and served as associate editor of the Duke Law Journal. He earned his undergraduate degree from Davidson College as an Omicron Delta Kappa.

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