With over 40 years of legal experience and rated "Highly Recommended" by the Allegheny County Bar Association, Bill Ward was confirmed in June 2012, and again in June 2014, to the Court of Common Pleas of Allegheny County, Pennsylvania.  Judge Ward earned the support of all Republicans and Democrats in the Pennsylvania State Senate.

For three years, Judge Ward worked with children and families in the Family Division, adjudicating juvenile dependency and juvenile delinquency cases, addressing mental health issues for juvenile offenders, and resolving child custody, divorce, equitable distribution, protection from abuse, and child support matters.

While on the bench, Judge Ward conciliated hundreds of cases in the Family Division. After extensive training, the National Judicial College certified Judge Ward as a Civil Mediator.  He also is an Approved Neutral by the United States District Court for the Western District of Pennsylvania.  Judge Ward provides private mediation in civil and family cases.