--- title: "Laura E. Ward | KnowJudges" canonical: "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/laura-e-ward" page_type: "judge_profile" updated: "2026-10-07" --- # Laura E. Ward Florida Thirteenth Judicial Circuit Court · Circuit Civil Judge, Division O ## Profile - Court: Florida Thirteenth Judicial Circuit Court - State: Florida - Role: Circuit Civil Judge, Division O - Service status: active - Last verified: 2026-07-28 ## Summary Official statewide and applicable court procedural guidance applies to this judge. ## Biography ### Professional career - Began her legal career as a law clerk to the Honorable Charles Wilson and later practiced complex commercial litigation at DLA Piper LLP - Circuit Court Judge in Florida’s 13th Judicial Circuit (Hillsborough County), serving in Circuit Civil Division O at the Edgecomb Courthouse in Tampa - Judge Laura E. Ward continues to serve as an active civil judge in Hillsborough County’s 13th Judicial Circuit ### Education - B.S. in Psychology from Davidson College and her J.D., magna cum laude, from the University of Michigan Law School. ### Additional information - Laura Ward was elected to the Florida 13th Circuit Court and currently serves a term ending January 5, 2027. - 13th Judicial Circuit Court of Florida since her election in 2014 and re‐election in 2020. - Judge Ward has repeatedly won re‐election, among them the 2026 cycle in which the election was canceled and she retained her seat unopposed. - Her chambers follow detailed procedural requirements and scheduling rules, verified as of August 2026. - Zoom Meeting ID: 641-380-9174 (no password required) Judge Ward’s office provides guidance on scheduling hearings, submitting proposed orders, and handling discovery motions, all in accordance with Administrative Order S-2024-046. - She won re-election in 2020 without appearing on the ballot after the general election was canceled. - Judge Ward has received multiple awards, including the Florida Bar Young Lawyers Division Pro Bono Service Award (2014) and the Hillsborough County Bar Association Outstanding Young Lawyer Award (2013). - Florida Bar Number: 873551 - Admitted: October 4, 2004 - Discipline History: None - Law School: University of Michigan Law School The Florida Bar - Known for emphasizing in-person hearings and clear procedural communication with attorneys and parties appearing before her - Judge Laura E. Ward presides over Circuit Civil cases in Division O at the Edgecomb Courthouse, located at 800 E. Twiggs St., Room 526, Tampa, Florida 33602. - Her judicial tenure focuses on civil litigation, and she has been recognized for her contributions to the legal community - She also held the role of Director of the Veterans’ Legal Services Clinic at James A. Haley VA Hospital, providing pro bono legal services - She presides over civil matters in Division O. - She holds an AV Preeminent rating by Martindale-Hubbell and has been active in professional associations, including serving as Chair of the 13th Circuit Court Bar Grievance Committee and participating in the Hillsborough County Bar Association and the Hillsborough Association for Women Lawyers - Court: Florida 13th Judicial Circuit Court - Division: Circuit Civil, Division O - Location: Edgecomb Courthouse, 800 E. Twiggs St., Room 526, Tampa, FL 33602 - Judicial Assistant: Monica Ortiz - Phone: 813‐272‐5365 - Zoom ID: 641‐380‐9174 (no password required) ## Before you appear - Read the judge-specific standing order first when one is listed. - Check the docket and case orders for requirements that supersede broader guidance. - Confirm current remote-access and courtroom technology arrangements before the proceeding. ## Courtroom Rules ### electronic trial exhibits Scope: courtwide The Thirteenth Circuit strongly encourages electronically stored exhibits through the Portal as individual PDF or PDF/A files; exhibits over 50 MB may be delivered on USB, CD, or another agreed electronic method. Evidence excerpt: parties are strongly encouraged to file electronically-stored exhibits through the Portal. [Administrative Order S-2024-046, Circuit Civil Division](https://www.fljud13.org/Portals/0/AO/DOCS/S-2024-046.pdf) Source checked: 2026-07-28 ### media and still photography Scope: statewide Electronic media and still-photography coverage is allowed in Florida public trial and appellate proceedings under Rule 2.450's equipment and conduct standards, always subject to the presiding judge's control of decorum, distractions, and fair administration. Evidence excerpt: Subject at all times to the authority of the presiding judge to: (i) control the conduct of proceedings before the court; (ii) ensure decorum and prevent distractions; and (iii) ensure the fair administration of justice in the pending cause, electronic media and still photography coverage of public judicial proceedings in the appellate and trial courts of this state shall be allowed [Florida Rule of General Practice and Judicial Administration 2.450, Media and Still Photography Coverage](https://ninthcircuit.org/florida-rule-judicial-administration-2450) Source checked: 2026-07-26 ## Sources - [Official profile](https://www.fljud13.org/Directory/Judges/Judge-Ward) - [Official roster](https://www.fljud13.org/Directory/Judges/Judge-Ward) - [Florida Thirteenth Judicial Circuit Court official judicial roster](https://www.fljud13.org/Directory/Judges/Judge-Ward) - [Circuit and County Courts Judicial Directory](https://www.fljud13.org/Portals/0/Forms/pdfs/directory-divisions.pdf) - [Florida Rule of General Practice and Judicial Administration 2.450, Media and Still Photography Coverage](https://ninthcircuit.org/florida-rule-judicial-administration-2450) - [Administrative Order S-2024-046, Circuit Civil Division](https://www.fljud13.org/Portals/0/AO/DOCS/S-2024-046.pdf) ## JSON-LD ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "WebPage", "@id": "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/laura-e-ward", "url": "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/laura-e-ward", "name": "Laura E. 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Shared court context only; case-type restrictions, exceptions, later amendments and case orders apply. This is not a personal preference or a complete rules inventory. [Official source](https://ninthcircuit.org/florida-rule-judicial-administration-2450). Collected 2026-07-26.