About our Honorary Co-Chairs for the 19th Annual Lawyers’ Campaign for CollegeBound
Ward B. Coe III, Gallagher, Evelius & Jones LLP
Known for his defense work in high profile class action cases, Ward Coe is a veteran attorney with more than three decades of experience representing corporations in complex commercial litigation. In addition to his versatile litigation practice involving antitrust, ERISA, land use litigation, and intellectual property matters, Ward has considerable experience leading major internal investigations.
Ward began his legal career at Anderson, Coe & King in 1973 and served as an assistant attorney general in Maryland from 1974 to 1977. He served as the managing partner of Whiteford Taylor & Preston from 1994 to 2000, and as the chair of its litigation practice from 2002 to 2006.
Ward served as counsel to the special legislative committee investigating personnel practices of a former governor of the State of Maryland. He has conducted numerous internal investigations of publicly and privately held companies involving potential financial fraud restatements and personnel matters.
In 1985 and 1986, Ward served as deputy investigator with Wilbur D. Preston, Jr., who was appointed by the Governor to investigate the savings and loan crisis. After an extensive investigation, Ward was the primary author and editor of a 457-page report to the Governor and General Assembly which formed a basis for numerous successful criminal prosecutions and civil lawsuits that resulted in substantial recoveries for the State.
As chair of the Maryland Court of Appeals Standing Committee on Pro Bono Legal Service, Ward has been instrumental in expanding a pro bono effort throughout the region. He is the recipient of numerous honors and awards for his pro bono efforts, including the American Bar Association’s Pro Bono Publico Award.
Ward is a Fellow of the American College of Trial Lawyers and an active member of the American Bar Association. For more than ten years, he has consistently appeared in the annual publication, The Best Lawyers of America.
Andrés A. Alonso, Ed.D., CEO Baltimore City Public Schools
At the age of 12, Dr. Andrés Alonso emigrated from Cuba to the United States with his parents. Originally speaking no English, he attended public schools in Union City, New Jersey, graduated Magna Cum Laude and Phi Beta Kappa from Columbia University, and earned a J.D. and a Doctorate in Education from Harvard University. After practicing law in New York City he changed course to become an educator.
From 1987 to 1998, Dr. Alonso taught emotionally disturbed special education adolescents and English language learners in Newark, New Jersey. He then served as Chief of Staff for Teaching and Learning and as Deputy Chancellor for Teaching and Learning at the New York City Department of Education during the launch of its Children First reform.
On July 1, 2007, Dr. Alonso became CEO of Baltimore City Public Schools (City Schools). In the first three years of his tenure, Baltimore City students reached their highest outcomes in state exams, across all categories of students. City Schools saw its enrollment climb, following four decades of steady enrollment decline. It posted its best-ever dropout and graduation rates, driven largely by attention to all students, a focus on adult performance, the promotion of choice and school autonomy for all schools, and intensive efforts to engage parents and community. City Schools exited “Corrective Action” status under No Child Left Behind in 2009 and in 2010 settled the Vaughn G. special education lawsuit, ending 26 years of court oversight and litigation.
Throughout his career Dr. Alonso has been defined by his fervent commitment to students and their families. He loves Cuban culture.
