Charleston, W.Va. — Spilman Thomas & Battle (Spilman) announced that Joseph A. “Jay” Ford, Member attorney in the law firm’s Charleston office, was selected as a 2026 American Bar Association “On the Rise - Top 40 Young Lawyers” award recipient. This national honor recognizes young attorneys who exemplify a broad range of high achievement, innovation, vision, leadership, and legal and community service.

“It is incredibly meaningful to be recognized by the American Bar Association alongside so many outstanding young lawyers from across the country,” Ford said. “I'm grateful to the mentors and colleagues who have invested in my growth throughout my career, and I'm proud to be part of a firm that encourages leadership, service, and a commitment to excellence.”

Michael J. Basile, Spilman’s Managing Member, added, "Jay has established himself as one of the brightest young lawyers in our profession through his exceptional legal work, thoughtful leadership, and unwavering commitment to serving clients and the broader legal community. We are incredibly proud to see him receive this well-deserved national recognition, and we look forward to watching his continued impact both within our firm and throughout the profession."

In 2023, Ford was appointed by then-Governor Justice to the West Virginia Commission on Uniform State Laws, for which he currently serves as Chairman to ensure uniformity in state laws to the benefit of West Virginians. In the same year, he was named to The State Journal’s “Generation Next: 40 Under 40” list, recognizing his impact as an emerging leader in the state. Then, in 2024, Ford was named the “Young Lawyer of the Year” by the West Virginia State Bar, highlighting his contributions to the state’s legal community.

Throughout his career, Ford has been active with the American Bar Association, where he serves as Co-Chair of the Expert Witness Subcommittee of the Commercial & Business Litigation Committee and as Co-Chair of the Chemical Subcommittee of the Products Liability Committee. He also has held key leadership roles within the West Virginia legal community, including as District 8 Representative for the Young Lawyer Board of the West Virginia State Bar and as Chairperson for the Young Lawyers Division of the West Virginia Bar Association.

Ford’s primary area of practice at Spilman is complex civil litigation, including commercial litigation, product liability, and class actions. He has extensive experience representing employers and commercial clients in high-stakes litigation involving business disputes, fatalities, and serious personal injuries. Additionally, he provides counsel to health care entities and businesses in a wide range of disputes. He also drafts and promotes legislation and administrative rules before the West Virginia Legislature and Executive Branch. Ford plays an essential leadership role at Spilman, serving as Chair of the firm’s Associate Program and Co-Chair of the E-Discovery Practice Group.

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, Huntington, Morgantown, and Wheeling, West Virginia; Winston-Salem, North Carolina; Harrisburg and Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania; Roanoke, Virginia; and Jacksonville, Florida.