Mr. Southard was born in Elmira, New York on June 15, 1965. He received his undergraduate degree from State University of New York College at Oswego in 1987. Mr. Southard received his law degree from Duquesne University School of Law in 1990. While at Duquesne Mr. Southard was a member of the Duquesne University Law Review.

Since 1993 Mr. Southard has been an attorney with Mitchell Mitchell Gallagher Weber Southard & Wishard P.C.

Mr. Southard is admitted to practice before all state courts in Pennsylvania, the U.S. District Court for the Middle District of Pennsylvania, the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Pennsylvania and the United States Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit.  He practices in the areas of insurance defense and medical malpractice defense litigation.

Mr. Southard is married to Denise Michelle (Papatrefon) Southard, and resides in Williamsport, Pennsylvania with his wife and family.