Remembering Janet Ward Black
Janet Ward Black, respected attorney, trailblazing leader and dedicated public servant, died on November 2. She served as president of the North Carolina Bar Association and Foundation from 2007-2008.
As NCBA president, Black founded the 4ALL program in 2008 to connect individuals in need of legal assistance with volunteer attorneys. Following the program’s inception, it was used as a model across the United States and in Canada to provide free legal answers to individuals seeking help with legal questions. Since its launch, more than 100,000 individuals in North Carolina have received legal advice through the program.
Black also served as president of the North Carolina Association of Trial Lawyers, now North Carolina Advocates for Justice. She was the second lawyer to serve as president of both organizations.
“The world feels smaller without Janet Ward in it. To be around her was to feel buoyed up by her sense of possibility, joy and hope.” — Caryn McNeill
This May, she was recognized as the inaugural recipient of the Trailblazer Award for Women in the Law. The award, presented to her by the NCBA Women in the Profession Committee, honors a person who demonstrates excellence in her area of practice, unending professionalism and the persistent promotion and protection of other women in the legal profession. In October, she was inducted into the NCBA Legal Practice Hall of Fame.
She had an extraordinary impact on the profession, and on the many individuals whose lives she touched with her kindness, compassion and caring spirit.
Her commitment to servant leadership is evident through how she is remembered by her friends. Below, read about Black through the words of five people who knew her and were inspired by the amazing person she was.
Janet Ward Black, center, commemorates 4ALL’s 10th anniversary with founding Co-Chairs Caryn McNeill and Martin Brinkley.
“The world feels smaller without Janet Ward in it. To be around her was to feel buoyed up by her sense of possibility, joy and hope. Her courage was contagious, as was her clear sense of purpose. She breathed confidence into others, finding all kinds of ways to mobilize the legal profession in North Carolina in service to the citizens of our state. Although she is gone, her spirit will live on in our shared efforts to be and do more wherever there is a need.” — Caryn McNeill, NCBA Past President and Co-Chair of the first 4ALL Statewide Day of Service
“Janet Ward was a great friend and mentor for me. Janet Ward had a great passion for bringing personal legal advice to those who would not otherwise have had access to a lawyer. This of course meant people who qualified for free legal services — those served by legal aid organizations – but also those who were ‘in between’ the indigent and the wealthy. I recall her insistence that the first 4ALL Day be advertised on billboards around the state, and that TV stations host our first call-in free legal advice telethons. These were forms of outreach that were not comfortable for all of our members, but they caused the NCBA and lawyers generally to be seen as accessible in new ways. I will always be grateful to have been her friend.” — Martin H. Brinkley, NCBA Past President and Co-Chair of the first 4ALL Statewide Day of Service
Black, seated, second from left, with a group from Ward Black Law at the Trailblazer Award ceremony in May.
“I have been fortunate to personally benefit from our friendship for many years and to serve on committees and boards together, where Janet Ward’s leadership has made a positive difference in every role. Her faith is shown in the many thoughtful and supportive ways she has touched the lives of many of us, certainly including me. After the passing of my husband Gary, Janet Ward sent cards, inspiring notes and books for weeks lifting my spirits through her caring friendship. She shares her many gifts and talents in ways that truly matter in life. Janet Ward Black has set a high standard in the legal profession and her community through her remarkable achievements and enduring commitment to justice, leadership, and service. Her contributions have shaped the landscape of North Carolina’s legal system and inspired future generations of leaders.” — Judge Linda M. McGee
“Janet Ward’s commitment to mentorship is both inspiring and transformative. She has dedicated substantial time and resources to mentoring young attorneys, particularly women, guiding them to reach their full potential. Her mentorship extends beyond professional advice; she provides unwavering support, encouragement, and a steadfast belief in the capabilities of those she mentors. Janet Ward has created a ripple effect, empowering a new generation of women attorneys to thrive and lead with confidence.” — Audrey Snyder, attorney at Ward Black Law
“Janet Ward’s pioneering career speaks for itself. She consistently demonstrated excellence in her legal practice while also championing access to justice and professional mentorship. As the principal of Ward Black Law, she led with integrity and a commitment to service, setting a remarkable example for aspiring attorneys — particularly women in the profession.
Janet Ward Black, left, accepts the Trailblazer Award from Manisha Patel, immediate past-chair of the Women in the Profession Committee.
“As a young attorney working for her firm, Janet Ward took time each month to have a ‘one-on-one’ with me outside of the office to talk about the transition from law student to licensed attorney and how to propel myself further when (and not if) I face obstacles and roadblocks as I grow as an attorney and leader. Oftentimes, I share the impact my mentors have had on my career, and I can without a doubt say that Janet Ward is the attorney who taught me how to be a strong, positive, and effective leader in this profession. She has been a mentor and role model to many, including myself, fostering an environment in which women attorneys can thrive and succeed.
“As President of the Greensboro Bar Association and 24th Judicial District during the 2024-2025 bar year, I witnessed firsthand the profound respect and admiration that Janet Ward commanded among her peers. Her influence on the legal landscape of North Carolina has been undeniable, and she will continue to inspire the profession through her everlasting legacy.” — Manisha P. Patel, Owner at Law Office of Manisha P. Patel, PLLC
