High-Stakes Litigator Mike Kilgarriff Joins Ballard Spahr

Mike Kilgarriff—an experienced litigator who has defended clients in high-stakes, multistate investigations and regulatory enforcement matters, including related litigation brought by state attorneys general—has joined Ballard Spahr’s Litigation Department and Commercial Litigation and Dispute Resolution and Consumer Financial Services groups as partner, firm Chair Peter Michaud announced today. Mr. Kilgarriff is resident in the firm’s Denver office.

“Mike is an exceptionally well-rounded litigator. He is adept at applying his legal finesse to sensitive, critical matters across an array of industries,” Mr. Michaud said. “Our clients nationwide will benefit from his multifaceted talent, and we are especially pleased to have him join our litigators in Denver. His arrival there further elevates our presence in Colorado and across the West.”

Mr. Kilgarriff handles complex commercial litigation, government and administrative agency matters, regulatory compliance issues, and white collar internal investigations. He has represented clients in a number of industries, including financial services, consumer products and services, mining, telecommunications, pharmaceutical, hospitality, and Fintech, including cryptocurrency and blockchain technology. Mr. Kilgarriff has experience advising companies in investigations involving the U.S. Department of Justice, U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, Federal Trade Commission, New York Department of Financial Services, and 47 state attorneys general. These investigations involved business practices, statements and representations to the public, and compliance with state consumer protection statutes and federal regulations.

Recently, Mr. Kilgarriff represented Navient Corporation, the student loan lender and servicer once known as Sallie Mae, in a spate of attorneys general lawsuits. He brought years of litigation to a conclusion by orchestrating a settlement between parties.

“Mike is a versatile commercial litigator with experience and a track record that could hardly be more compelling,” said Commercial Litigation and Dispute Resolution Practice Leader Neal Walters. “His broad practice and our comprehensive litigation practice dovetail perfectly. We’re thrilled to add his talents to our team.”

Mr. Kilgarriff is the second partner to join Ballard Spahr in Denver inside of a month, following Joseph Schuster, a Business and Transactions and Consumer Financial Services partner who joined on April 1.

“Ballard provides me with an outstanding opportunity to grow my practice and serve my existing clients alongside a strong, dynamic, and collaborative group of lawyers,” Mr. Kilgarriff said. “Few law firms have the multifaceted strength that Ballard does in matters involving consumer financial services, state attorneys general, and white-collar defense, and I am excited to embark on this endeavor.”

For media inquiries, please contact Will Ashenmacher at 612.371.5792.