Laura E. Ward, JD, CHC, CFE
EDUCATION
University of the Pacific, McGeorge School of Law, Sacramento, CA Juris Doctor with a concentration in Taxation, May 2007 • Chief Comment Editor, McGeorge Law Review, Spring 2006 to Spring 2007 • Legislative Staff Writer and Comment Staff Writer, McGeorge Law Review, 2005 to 2006 Stanford University, Stanford, CA
Bachelor of Arts in English (creative writing emphasis) and minor in Art History, June 2004
EXPERIENCE
Ward Legal, Inc. Fresno, CA
Attorney/Owner, July 2015 to Present
• Advise business clients on for -profit and non-profit entity planning and formation, initial tax filings (exemption and registrations), dissolution, contracting, purchase and sale agreements, operational, regulatory, governance and compliance issues. • Assist for-profit and non-profit clients with contract drafting, review, and revision, as well as entity policy and procedures, letters of intent, and memorandums of understanding. • Advise non -profit clients on ongoing compliance related to best practices, regulatory compliance with various oversight bodies, and administrative alignment with other non - profit and for-profit entities.
• Develop and implement comprehensive estate plans for individuals and families. • Assist clients with obtaining Knox -Keene licenses to operate health maintenance organizations; Contracted Privacy and Compliance Officer for three restricted Knox Keene licensed Medicare Advantage health plans.
• Advise Knox Keene licensed HMOs and employers sponsoring self-funded health plans on health care reform, the Affordable Care Act, ERISA state, and federal law and regulation compliance.
• Counsel healthcare providers, administrators, and facilities on the full range of healthcare related state and federal issues, including but not limited to consent, privacy, managed care, anti- kickback, HIPAA, COBRA, and the self-referral prohibitions in Stark and PORA.
Tucker, Chiu, Hebesha & Ward PC, Clovis, CA Attorney/Owner, February 2011 to June 2015 Transactional attorney (emphasis in corporate, nonprofit, health law, benefits, estates, and taxation).
Kimble MacMichael & Upton, Fresno, CA Associate Attorney, September 2007 to February 2011 Transactional attorney (emphasis in corporate, nonprofit, health law, benefits, ERISA, compliance).
PROFESSIONAL AFFILIATIONS AND CERTIFICATIONS
• Certified in Healthcare Compliance, Health Care Compliance Assoc., May 2017 to Present. • Certified Fraud Examiner, Association of Certified Fraud Examiners, March 2021 to Present. • Board Member & Co-President, Fresno Area Stanford Alumni Association, 2007 to Present. • Selected as Northern CA “Rising Star” in healthcare by Super Lawyers Magazine, 2014-2022. • Selected as Northern CA “Super Lawyer” in healthcare by Super Lawyers Magazine, 2023. • Member, Fresno County Bar – Business & Pro Bono Legal Services Section, 2007 to Present. • Member, Fresno County Women Lawyers, 2008 to Present. • Certified Yoga Teacher, RYT-200, Balanced Rock Foundation (Yosemite), 2016 to Present. • Board Member and Vice President, Fresno Arts Council, 2018 to Present. • Board Member and Volunteer Pro Bono Attorney, Central California Legal Services Inc., March 2019 to August 2022.
• Board Member, BLACK Wellness & Prosperity Center, 2020 to Present. • Rotary Club of North Fresno, Member & Endowment Fund Secretary, 2017 to Present. • Commissioner for District One and Vice Chair, City of Fresno Women’s Commission, 2022 to Present.