James J. Ward, CIPP/E, CIPP/US, CIPM, FIP
Managing Partner, Ward PLLC

Jay Ward is the founder of Ward PLLC, a law firm based in Miami, FL.  He is also based at the University of Oxford Internet Institute.

Jay is an attorney, data strategist, and expert on decentralized transactions and web3 products. He provides his clients with counsel and advice on how to integrate intelligent, forward-looking policies and practices about data security into their daily operations — in other words, how to be “DataSmart”. He also draws upon years of experience as a litigator in high-stakes disputes to provide insight into avoiding liability, and to zealously advocate for his clients when needed. He is frequently quoted in publications around the world, including the New York Times, the Guardian, the Wall Street Journal, Forbes, and the International Business Times.

Jay holds certifications in both European and United States Data Security and Privacy Law (CIPP/E and CIPP/US), as well as a certification in Privacy Program Management (CIPM), and is a Fellow of Information Privacy, accreditations from the International Association of Privacy Professionals, the only ISO/ANSI certified body for data security and privacy.  He has advised clients across sectors and has helped develop products that generate millions in annual revenues.

His firm, Ward PLLC, provides clients with privacy law advice, data strategy consulting services, strategic counsel about cryptocurrencies and Web3 products, GDPR compliance services, and legal counsel on data management and compliance issues, and handles litigation arising from or related to data breaches.

Prior to forming Ward PLLC, Jay was a litigator at elite international law firms in New York and Miami. He is a graduate of the University of Notre Dame Law School and Northwestern University.

Contact him at jjw@wardpllc.com.


Christian J. Ward headshot

Christian J. Ward
Data Strategy Advisor

Christian J. Ward advises Ward PLLC on Data Strategy and Partnerships.

With a background in creating and leading information and data companies, his focus is to help other businesses leverage their internal and external data as part of their overall business strategy by instituting the DataSmart Method. He has developed and executed hundreds of data partnerships around the world, from small entrepreneurial firms to the world’s largest data companies.

Christian is the Chief Data Officer for Yext, the digital knowledge management platform based in New York. Prior to joining Yext, Christian was the Chief Data Officer at Infogroup as well as the Global Head of Content Innovation at Thomson Reuters. He was Managing Director and Director of Research for The Bank of New York and previously founded two different data companies, one in financial research and the other in media analytics. He has been quoted in publications like the Wall Street Journal, Forbes, Fortune, GeoMarketing, StreetFight, and Search Engine Journal and he speaks frequently on data strategy, partnerships, and the future influence of data.

Christian holds a B.S. in Finance from the University of Florida.

Contact him at cjw@wardpllc.com.