Charleston, W.Va. — Spilman Thomas & Battle (Spilman) announced that Joseph A. “Jay” Ford, Member attorney in the law firm's Charleston office, was named to The State Journal Generation Next: 40 Under 40 List.

"I'm humbled by the recognition," Ford said. "I look around at the other honorees and am grateful to be included in such a remarkable group of young professionals."

Ford’s primary areas of practice are commercial and business litigation, products liability, and healthcare litigation. He also has represented clients in numerous class action lawsuits, ranging from medical malpractice, fraud, and negligence claims to violations of the West Virginia Wage Payment & Collection Act. He serves as Co-Chair of Spilman’s E-Discovery Practice Group and as Vice Chair of the Associate Program.

Earlier this year, Ford was appointed by Governor Justice to the West Virginia Commission on Uniform State Laws, on which he works to ensure uniformity in state laws to the benefit of West Virginians. He also currently serves on the Board of Directors for Fund for the Arts.

Ford has been active with the West Virginia Bar Association throughout his career, currently serving as Chairperson of the Young Lawyers Division. He also currently serves as a representative for District 8 on the Young Lawyer Board of the West Virginia State Bar. He is a member of the American Bar Association, where he serves as Co-Chair of the Expert Witness Subcommittee of the Commercial & Business Litigation Committee and as Newsletter Editor of the Products Liability Committee.

About Spilman Thomas & Battle, PLLC
Spilman Thomas & Battle is a full-service, super-regional law firm serving local, regional, national and international businesses. Founded in 1864, Spilman has offices in Charleston, Morgantown and Wheeling, West Virginia; Winston-Salem, North Carolina; Harrisburg and Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania; and Roanoke, Virginia.