J. Ward Guilday

J. Ward Guilday started practicing law in Philadelphia in 1989, concentrating primarily in Admiralty and Maritime law, including seaman's personal injury, maintenance and care. Throughout his career, Captain Guilday has also practiced in civil litigation regarding land based tort liability.

In 1993 Captain Guilday became a maritime pilot with the Pilot's Association for the Bay and River Delaware; navigating large commercial vessels to and from the parts of Philadelphia and Wilmington. Captain Guilday has served as a Director of the Pilots Association and has provided legal counsel to the Association over the past 20 years.

Born and raised in Delaware County, Ward graduated from Cardinal O'Hara High School in 1978; he received a Bachelor of Science in Economics in 1982 from the SUNY Maritime College. In that same year he passed his U.S. Coast Guard licensing exams to become a Third Officer, Unlimited tonnage, in the United States Merchant Marine. From 1982 to 1989, Captain Guilday pursued a career at sea, sailing tankers around the world for two Philadelphia based steamship companies. In 1989, Captain Guilday earned a Juris Doctorate degree from the Widener University School of Law. He is licensed to practice law in the Courts of Pennsylvania and New Jersey; the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of PA and the 3rd Circuit Court of Appeals.

Captain Guilday is a registered lobbyist in Pennsylvania and advises a number of legislators, State and Federal, on Port related issues. Ward is a member of the Maritime Advisory Committee for the Delaware River, and the Ports of Philadelphia Maritime Society, and the Delaware County Bar Association.