Warren, Russell S.

John C. Ward's practice emphasizes the areas of financial institutions, commercial litigation, and bankruptcy. His practice involves all facets of the lending process from litigation to complex lending transactions. Mr. Ward has over 25 years' experience in representing financial institutions and other corporate clients and also spent 4 1/2 years in-house, first as General Counsel for West One Bank, Idaho, and later as Special Regional Counsel for U. S. BanCorp where he managed that company's legal affairs for the states of Idaho, Utah, Nevada, and California. He was Idaho State Chairman of the ABA's Committee on Commercial Litigation from 1976 through 1983 and is past Chairman and a member of the Idaho State Bar's Corporate and Business Section Governing Council.

Mr. Ward's experience within his practice areas is extensive and diverse:

• He has prosecuted and defended claims of all kinds in state and federal courts (including bankruptcy courts).
• He has successfully litigated many lender liability claims for financial institutions.
• He has been involved in countless workouts and loan restructures for financial institutions, which have involved the negotiation of claims, the analysis of priorities, and the evaluation of other factors necessary to bring such matters to successful conclusion.
• Mr. Ward has also developed expertise in transactional matters, representing a broad base of clients in transactions ranging from acquisitions to syndications.

Mr. Ward is a 1967 graduate of the University of Idaho Law School. He is a frequent lecturer on alternative fee arrangements and has extensive experience in their application both as a lawyer and as a client.