Associates to Co-Lead Minnesota Lavender Bar Association

Jessica DuBois and Jacob N. Westlund, Business and Transactions associates in Ballard Spahr's Minneapolis office, have been announced as co-chairs for the Minnesota Lavender Bar Association (MLBA) for the 2019–2020 board year.

"For almost 25 years, the Lavender Bar Association has provided a supportive professional community for Minnesota's LGBTQ+ and allied attorneys and legal professionals," Ms. DuBois said. "We are honored to help strengthen this tradition by continuing the board's efforts to facilitate networking opportunities and professional development for members."

Currently, Ms. DuBois serves as a board member and Mr. Westlund as Secretary of MLBA. Mr. Westlund served as Secretary and as a member of the Executive Committee for the two years preceding his election.

"A focus on professional development will equip our members to keep contributing to vital work on behalf of fairness and equality in our communities and in the Minnesota legal profession," said Mr. Westlund.

The MLBA was founded in 1996 as a special project of OutFront Minnesota's Legal Program. It is a 501(c)(6) organization and an affiliate member of the National LGBT Bar Association.

"Inclusion is one of Ballard Spahr's chief values," said Karla Vehrs, Office Managing Partner for Ballard Spahr's Minneapolis location. "We're proud of Jessica and Jacob for their important work with the Lavender Bar Association. Because attorneys like them are willing to stand up and put forth effort—on top of their practices, no less—our communities keep making incremental progress on their most pressing issues."

Ms. DuBois and Mr. Westlund serve on Ballard Spahr's Diversity + Inclusion Council, which develops, promotes, and implements key initiatives to guide the firm toward its diversity and inclusion goals and to collaborate with clients on diversity and inclusion issues of mutual interest. Mr. Westlund also serves as the co-chair of Equality Ballard, which provides support and internal networking to those who self-identify as LGBTQ+ and their allies.