Ballard Spahr Announces Leadership Transition Plans

National law firm Ballard Spahr announced today the election of the firm’s next Chair, Peter V. Michaud. Mr. Michaud—who serves as Chair of the firm’s Business and Transactions Department—will work with current Ballard Spahr Chair Mark Stewart during an 18-month transition period until Mr. Stewart’s term ends on December 31, 2023.

As Chair, Mr. Michaud will focus on overall firm strategy and operations, the performance of its practices, and market and client relations. He will reside both in Minneapolis, where he developed a national deal practice, and Philadelphia, home to Ballard Spahr’s largest office.

Mr. Stewart—a litigator who served as Chair for more than a decade and who oversaw the most intensive period of growth in the firm’s history—will return to the full-time practice of law as a partner.

“Peter is an extraordinary talent, a friend, and someone who has been a key part of the leadership of the firm over the past several years,” said Mr. Stewart. “I look forward to working with him during this transition and in the future, as Ballard builds on its 130-year tradition of excellence, continues to embrace its culture of inclusion and collaboration, and moves forward as an innovator in the industry.”

Mr. Michaud came to Ballard Spahr through the 2018 merger with Minneapolis-based Lindquist & Vennum. In addition to leading the firm’s corporate department, Mr. Michaud has served as a member of its Expanded Board as well as Managing Partner of its Minneapolis office. His practice focuses on advising private equity funds, their portfolio companies, and strategic buyers in stock and asset acquisitions and divestitures, mergers, recapitalizations, spin-offs, roll-ups, and other forms of sales and reorganizations.

“We all recognize that Mark has, throughout his years as Chair, and as Strategic Planning Partner before that, played an enormous part in shaping the success of the firm,” Mr. Michaud said. “He has guided Ballard through an economic downturn to historic growth in both headcount and revenue. He helped us navigate a global pandemic with strength, humanity, and an unwavering focus on the needs of our clients, lawyers, and staff. I am excited to work with him during this transition and am honored that the partnership has selected me to lead the firm forward.”

For media inquiries, please contact Will Ashenmacher at 612.371.5792.