Ward & Berry Rebrands to Ward & Bradel to Mark Institutional Maturity

The firm, founded in 2017, has carved out a distinct niche as a government-contractor-exclusive practice. By elevating Ryan Bradel’s name to the masthead, the firm signals a commitment to the specific expertise in bid protests and Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) counsel that he brought to the team in 2018. This transition comes alongside industry recognition, as the firm was recently named a Highly Regarded entity in the Chambers USA 2026 nationwide rankings, making it the youngest boutique to earn the distinction.

Despite the new branding, the firm’s operational core remains unchanged. The practice continues to lean on a dual-track leadership model: the Government Contracts group—led by Ryan Bradel, Mary Pat Buckenmeyer, and Tyson Marx—and the Litigation and Arbitration practice, headed by Dan Ward, Craig Franco, and Dave Gutkowski. With integrated services ranging from internal investigations led by former FBI special agent Charlie Price to high-stakes federal court litigation, the firm maintains its focus on a sector-exclusive, relationship-driven model rather than broad-market expansion. Existing client engagements, staffing, and billing structures remain unaffected by the name change.