What Makes Us Different From Other Personal Injury Law Firms?
Her reputation is undisputed, and she is regarded as one of the most prominent Hispanic attorneys in South Florida, recovering over $500 million for her clients since she launched her practice in 2012. Jany connects with Spanish speakers on the radio and television every week. This gives her the opportunity to interact with them, answer their legal questions and concerns, and understand their needs. As a result of her compassionate approach, and commitment to justice, Jany Martínez-Ward has become a trusted household name in South Florida.
During the Covid crisis when reliability was scarce, Jany and The Ward Law Group worked tirelessly to achieve a 2-million-dollar settlement for their client Marcela, an achievement that made local news headlines. "The Ward Law Group showed me that trust is possible. They helped me understand my rights and my case. They made it super simple and they were always available to answer all of my questions", explains Marcela. As a result of her specialization in car accident cases, Jany is a frequently sought-after speaker for Miami area news organizations, she has also been invited by the Florida Bar Association to contribute a chapter to the 10th edition of Florida Civil Practice Before Trial entitled "Practice and Procedure in the Handling of Automobile Cases."
leading the way
At The Ward Law Group, Jany leads the firm’s Pre-litigation department team assisting clients with everything from paperwork to counseling. She negotiates settlement claims directly with insurance companies to ensure her clients receive just compensation for any financial losses, work interruptions, and emotional distress incurred as a result of being in an accident.
In her role, she oversees 15 managers and over 140 employees, ensuring that clients receive outstanding service. At 36, Jany Martinez-Ward looks back on her firm's accomplishments, having served thousands of clients and achieved over $500 million in settlements. In the past eight years, The Ward Law Group has seen a growth of 40 to 50% year over year, with 19 settlements totaling $1 million.
The most significant is a confidential settlement in excess of $100 million. With an eye to the future, she has chartered a plan to expand the firm into the Northeast, the Southwest, and Texas over the next decade. As part of its expansion plan, the firm opened an office in New York to serve the Hispanic community in the metro area and its suburbs.
THE JOURNEY INSPIRES HER PURPOSE
Jany immigrated to the United States approximately twenty years ago with her mother and infant brother, leaving everything they knew behind. Jany, like many other migrant children, crossed the border with her family with a sense of uncertainty and fear of what awaited them after arriving. Devastated and confused, she watched as her mother was arrested. Jany and her brother were taken away and placed in foster care while their legal issues were resolved. “It was a painful experience,” Jany explains. “I felt helpless and lost because I didn’t understand the language or the decisions people were making about me and my family.”
During those difficult times, she became aware of the barriers Hispanics encounter in the United States
For years, she experienced the challenges immigrants face in this complex and intimidating legal system. Helping others, especially those in more vulnerable circumstances and without a voice, became the focus of her life early on. The journey inspired her purpose and her life’s mission became to serve the legal needs of her community.
To achieve this dream, Jany attended Nova Southeastern University, Shepard Broad Law Center, and earned her undergraduate degree from the University of Florida. She has been licensed to practice law in the State of Florida since 2013. From the beginning of her career, she has seen herself as a champion of the Hispanic community, and she played a crucial role in expanding the client base of The Ward Law Firm from a few personal injury clients in 2012 to over 18,000 families today.
According to Jany, the secret of her success is due to several factors. The first is the expertise of her husband, Gregory Ward, who for many years worked representing Insurance companies. That knowledge is applied today to benefit those who have been injured because of someone else’s negligence. In addition, she attributes success to her faith, exceptional service, and unwavering commitment to the Hispanic community.
Giving Back to Her Community
Jany’s community efforts expanded beyond sharing her legal knowledge from the start of her career. When Jany is not working on resolving client cases, she is at the forefront of Hispanic community matters with her husband Greg. “I believe that exceptional client service sets us apart. It’s part of the firm’s core values, but it’s not the whole picture. We feel strongly about getting to know our clients and our community here at The Ward Law Group, and we make it a priority to do so by getting involved and giving back to our community”, she explains.
She is an active member of her church, and she has sponsored countless events to help underprivileged children and youth groups. In addition to her many community initiatives, she is an active board member of the “I Have a Dream Foundation” and she supports an annual Back to School donation drive for orphaned and underprivileged children in need at the end of each summer.
But her commitment to making a difference extends far beyond U.S. borders.
Her charitable effort helps support an orphanage and school in Nicaragua. She has also helped to coordinate an effort to help Venezuelan children so they can count on nutritious meals instead of searching through dumpsters for leftover scraps.
Education
- Adjunct Faculty at Joseph Business School, 2016-2018
- Nova Southeastern University, Shepard Broad Law Center, Ft. Lauderdale, FL Juris Doctor Candidate, May 2012.
- Florida Bar Public Service Fellowship for 2010-2011
- Pro Bono Honors Program, Gold Award (300+ hours)
- ILSA Journal of International and Comparative Law, Senior Bilingual Editor
- University of Florida, Gainesville, FL Bachelor of Science, Psychology, Bachelor of Arts, Spanish Literature, magna cum laude, 2009
- Bachelor of Science & Arts, Arts, Psychology & Spanish Literature, Magma Cum Laude
- Presidential Debate Competition Winner, 2009
- Guardian Ad Litem, 2006 – 2008
Honors & Recognitions
- Martindale-Hubbell, 10 Year Anniversary Serving the Community, 2023
- South Florida Business Journal, 2023 forty under 40
- Super Lawyers, 2023 Rising Stars Honoree
- Top Verdict, 1M Bacallao v. Fed. Ins. Co., Daily Business Review, 2023
- Best Places to Work Award, South Florida Business Journal, 2023
- The Golden Gavel Award for Spanish Language Marketing, 2023
- American Institute of Personal Injury Attorneys, 10 Best Under 40 Attorneys, 2022
- American Institute of Personal Injury Attorneys, 10 Best High Verdict & Settlement Winner, 2022
- Top Verdict, Top 100 Personal Injury Settlements in Florida, for the results in
- Tumanov vs. Brown, 2022
- Fortune, Most Powerful Women, nomination & awarded exclusive membership, FORTUNE MPW has evolved into the world’s most extraordinary leadership community, convening the preeminent women in business, 2022
- I Have a Dream Foundation, special recognition for fundraising $167,000 for the foundation, 2021-2022
- Best Lawyers, Lawyer of the Year, 2022
- Best Places to Work Award, South Florida Business Journal, 2022
- Top Verdict, Top 10 Personal Injury Settlements in Florida, for the results in case Ramirez v. The Hartford Ins. Group, et al, 2021
- Top Verdict, Top 100 Personal Injury Settlements in Florida, for the results in case Ramirez v. The Hartford Ins. Group, et al, 2021
- The Golden Gavel Award for Best Brand Video of the Year, 2021
- Florida Trend’s Magazine, Florida Legal Elite, 2021
- Florida Trend’s Magazine, Top Attorney, Insurance, 2021
- The National Trial Lawyers, 40 Under 40, 2018, 2019
- South Florida Legal Guide, Top Lawyer, 2019
- Leukemia & Lymphoma Society, Team Member of the Year, recognition for fundraising $500,000, 2019
- American Institute of Personal Injury Attorneys,10 Best Attorneys
in Florida, 2018 - City of Doral — Woman of Influence
- Million Dollars Advocates Forum
- AVVO Rating, 10.0 Superb, Top Rate Personal Injury Firm
- AV PREEMINENT, Martindale-Hubbell Lawyers Ratings
- Marquis Who's Who - 2022
Publications, Speeches, Media
- 2024 Barry University’s Dwayne O. Andreas School of Law School Commencement Speaker
- AP News, Justice for All: Attorney Jany Martinez-Ward Empowers displaced Immigrants
- USA Today, Power couple Florida law firm serves Hispanic clients with a community focus
- New York Weekly, Jany Martinez-Ward’s Unique Approach, from Justice in the Courtroom to Compassion for Her Community
- Law.com, Miami Firms on Offense to Serve Elusive Defendant
- Law.com, $1M Miami Settlement Follows $135k Offer
- South Florida Business Journal, 2024 Influential Business Women
- International Business Times, The Ward Law Group Prioritizes Positive Work Environment To Drive Legal Excellence
- Woman's World, Underpaid and Underestimated: How Women Of Color in Law Are Still Fighting For Equality
- Bloomberg, The Ward Law Group Launches Personal Injury Law Firm and Secures over $500 Million in Settlements
- Newsbreak, Jany Martinez-Ward: Embodying Resilience and Generosity on a Remarkable Journey
- Super Lawyers, Living the Dream, Jany Martinez-Ward’s personal tribulations inspired her to help the immigrant community
- In Touch Weekly, From A Penny Short” to “$500 Million” — Jany Martínez-Ward’s Journey to Building One of the Nation’s Most Renowned Law
- LA Weekly, Top Lawyer, Jany Martinez-Ward, Celebrates a Decade of Successfully Representing the Hispanic Community
- New York Weekly, The Ward Law Group, a personal injury law firm that assists Spanish speakers, announces New York expansion
- New York Daily News, How one trailblazing attorney champions displaced immigrants
- MSN.com, Fuel for Her Fire: How Attorney Jany Martínez-Ward Has Used Adversity to Drive Her Success and Achieve Her American Dream
- South Florida Business Journal, 2023 40 Under 40 Awards
- Florida Law Con 2023, Title Sponsors, and speaker/panelist of “Minority Women and their Impact on the Changing Legal Community.”
- South Florida Business Journal, South Florida’s Ward Law Group celebrates 10 years with a focus on core values
- Haute Living, From Immigrant To Advocate: Jany Martinez-Ward’s Inspiring Story
- Haute Lawyer, Haute Lawyer Presents Exclusive Webinar with Greg and Jany Martinez Ward
- The Inner Circle, Jany Martínez-Ward - Founder Managing Partner Chief Marketing Officer
- Marquis Who's Who, Marquis Who's Who, Humanitarian Award
- Marquis Who's Who, Jany Martínez-Ward has been Inducted into the Prestigious Marquis Who's Who Biographical Registry
- Marquis Emerging Leaders, Jany Martínez-Ward
- South Florida Business Journal, People On the Move, Jany Martinez-Ward
- The Real Deal, Personal injury law firm pays $21M for Miami Lakes Office
- South Florida Business Journal, The Ward Law Group acquires Kislak Building in Miami Lakes and opens New York Office
- Metro Life Church: Stewardship of the Finances | Faith for Finance 2023
- Metro Life Church: Stewardship of the Finances | Faith for Finance 2022
- Metro Life Church: Stewardship of the Finances | Faith for Finance 2021
- The Miami Laker, The Ward Law Group Marks 10th Anniversary
- University of Florida, Panelist, “Women of Color and the Law”
- TMZ, Antonio Brown Ordered to Pay 1.2 Million to Truck Driver in Assault Case
- Daily Business Review, Miami Lakes Litigators Reach $2M Settlement With Insurers Hartford and AIG
- Daily Business Review, The Ward Law Group Fills a Niche: Personal Injury Law for Spanish Speakers, Daily Business Review
- WSVN, Elderly Couple Speaks Out on CrashInvolving Drunk Driver in Miami
- Local 10, Victim in Miami DUI Crash Suing Lamborghini-driving Suspect, Grateful to be Alive After Violent Collision
- El Nuevo Herald, Entra en vigor ley que lo castigará si envía mensajes de textos mientras maneja
- Univision, Estos son los beneficios para Florida si diera licencia de conducir a inmigrantes indocumentados
- 10th edition of Florida Civil Practice Before Trial, "Practice and Procedure in the Handling of Automobile Cases"
- Guest Commentator: Telemundo, Mega TV, and Univision
- Miami Diario, Estudio apoya otorgar licencia de conducir a indocumentados para hacer las rutas más seguras
- Voz de América, Consejos para evitar accidentes en Halloween
- Crisp Law Firm: Growth Summit Speaker
Experience
- The Ward Law Group, PL, Miami Lakes, FL
- Founder, Managing Partner, Chief Marketing Officer, 2012 – Present
- Jany Martínez-Ward is a Co-founder, Managing Partner, & CMO, of The Ward Law Group, PL, a Florida law firm representing victims of car accidents. She specializes in providing legal representation to Hispanic clients who have been injured in car accidents because of the negligence of others. Since launching her practice in 2012, The Ward Law Group has sustained 40-50 percent growth year over year for the last 8 years and has obtained 19 settlements over a million dollars. One of the firm’s most notable accomplishments is a confidential settlement in excess of $100 million. To date, Ward Law Group has helped car accident victims recover over $500 million in settlements.
- State Attorney’s Office, 17th Judicial Circuit, Broward, FL
- Certified Legal Intern, Winter 2012
- Handled over 200 cases. Prosecuted and won convictions in over 18 misdemeanor cases including jury and non-jury trials. Argued motions to suppress and negotiated plea agreements.
- United States Magistrate Judge Barry Seltzer, U.S District Court, Southern District of Florida, Broward, FL
- Legal Intern, Fall 2011
- Researched legal issues relating to general civil litigation, social security, employment, patent, and criminal law. Drafted reports and recommendations, legal memoranda, and correspondence related to pending cases. Assisted in criminal and civil motion practice including discovery disputes and evidentiary hearings.
- The Florida Bar – Chapter 607 Project, Business Law Section
- Research Committee Member, Winter 2011 – Present
- Compared Model Business Corporations Act and Delaware Statutes to Florida Corporation statutes and analyzed and drafted proposed changes to Florida Statutes.
The Florida Bar & Community Service
- Federal Bar Association, Member
- Broward Hispanic Bar and Hispanic National Bar Association, Member
- The Florida Bar – Chapter 607 Project, Business Law Section
- Research Committee Member
- I Have a Dream Foundation, Board of Directors, Member
- Metro Life Church, Legacy Committee, Member
- The Ward Law Group, Annual Back Pack Drive – Every year, The Ward Law Group donates thousands of backpacks filled with school supplies to local South Florida families so that they can help their children prepare for school.
- The Ward Law Group, Turkey Giveaway – During the holidays, The Ward Law Group serves over 1,500 meals to the community in addition to turkeys.
- The Ward Law Group’s initiative to help children and families is a global effort – With the help of a charitable church organization, many Venezuelan children can have a warm meal during the holidays. The Ward Law Group also sponsors an orphanage, and a school in Nicaragua for the most vulnerable children. Nicaraguan children are provided with food, housing, education, medical care, and spiritual guidance. In India, The Ward Law Group provides food, healthcare, spiritual guidance, and Bibles to impoverished families living in a small rural towns in India.
Bar Admissions
- New Jersey, 2024
- New York, 2023
- Texas, 2023
- Washington D.C., 2022
- Florida, 2013