Thirteen Ballard Spahr Attorneys Join Firm Partnership

Ballard Spahr is proud to announce the elevation of 13 attorneys to the firm partnership, effective July 1, 2022. The new partners are based in the firm’s Philadelphia, Boulder, Delaware, Minneapolis, New Jersey, New York, Phoenix, and Washington, D.C., offices.

“Our new partners come from across the country and across practice areas,” firm Chair Mark Stewart said. “They represent the best of Ballard and embody that which distinguishes us: creativity, resourcefulness, excellence in the practice of law, and an unwavering dedication to helping our clients succeed. I am proud to welcome them to the partnership.”

The new partners are:

Andrew I. Almand, Finance, Washington, D.C.: Mr. Almand concentrates his practice on real estate financing, with a strong emphasis on lender-side GSE commercial loan servicing and asset management requests that concern all manner of multifamily housing product types, including market, affordable, and seniors housing loan servicing matters. Utilizing his expansive knowledge of GSE commercial loan servicing requirements and standards, he helps his GSE and loan-servicer clients deftly navigate the rigors of complex loan assumptions, transfers of ownership interests, and many other servicing requests for both securitized and non-securitized loans, including loan servicing portfolios that involve such requests.

Ashley E. DeLuca, Real Estate, Philadelphia: Ms. DeLuca focuses on transactional real estate matters, including the acquisition, disposition, and development of retail, industrial, office, multifamily, hotel, and condominium properties, and the representation of landlords and tenants in the leasing of retail and office space. She has particular strength in the development of commercial, residential, and mixed-use condominium projects in Pennsylvania and New Jersey.

Thomas W. Hazlett, Litigation, Philadelphia: Mr. Hazlett focuses on commercial disputes, antitrust, intellectual property, and breach of fiduciary duty claims. He has litigated numerous motions for injunctive relief, tried cases to verdict before judges and juries, and handled appeals in state and federal courts. His clients include leading companies in the life sciences and financial services sectors.

Ryan D. Heck, Business and Transactions, Minneapolis: Mr. Heck advises public and private companies in mergers and acquisitions, divestitures, investments, roll-ups, and other transformative transactions. He regularly counsels private equity and corporate clients across a number of industries, including manufacturing, technology, professional services, and the life sciences. Mr. Heck also serves as outside counsel to corporate clients and private equity portfolio companies.

Kimberly W. Klayman, Business and Transactions, Philadelphia: Ms. Klayman is known for her work representing privately held emerging companies, as well as venture capital, private equity funds, family offices, and corporate venture groups that invest in high-growth companies. She works with companies throughout the entire corporate life cycle, including pre-formation and general corporate counseling, venture capital financings, and mergers and acquisitions. Ms. Klayman also participates in the Ballard Academy for Student Entrepreneurs (BASE) program, which provides pro bono legal services to student entrepreneurs.

Emilia McKee Vassallo, Litigation, Philadelphia: Ms. McKee Vassallo represents businesses, governments, non-profit organizations, and individuals in white collar defense and commercial litigation. She has conducted internal investigations of high-profile, highly sensitive matters for major corporations, government agencies, and institutions, including investigations spurred by whistleblower complaints to federal and state agencies. She also has both successfully defended and prosecuted unfair competition claims under the Lanham Act, including cases alleging false advertising.

Noah S. Robbins, Intellectual Property, Philadelphia: Mr. Robbins focuses on intellectual property disputes and counseling. He is noted for his advocacy in copyright and trademark disputes and brand enforcement matters. He has litigated significant cases involving trademark infringement, unfair competition, and false advertising cases arising under the Lanham Act, copyright infringement, trade secret misappropriation, and breach of intellectual property licensing agreements. In addition, Mr. Robbins has led and coordinated national trademark enforcement programs for clients in a wide variety of industries.

Wesley R. Robinson, Business and Transactions, Phoenix: Mr. Robinson represents public and private clients in mergers, acquisitions, divestitures, capital raising, and other corporate governance matters. He counsels clients in connection with strategic M&A, distressed M&A, private equity, emerging growth, and venture capital transactions. Mr. Robinson also participates in the Ballard Academy for Student Entrepreneurs (BASE) program, which provides pro bono legal services to student entrepreneurs.

Jacquelyn N. Schell, Litigation, New York: Ms. Schell’s practice focuses on media and First Amendment law. She defends media, entertainment, and other commercial clients against libel and defamation, invasion of privacy, copyright, and other content-based claims. She also counsels clients on pre-publication concerns and represents news outlets asserting reporters’ privilege defenses and bringing affirmative actions to enforce rights of access to courts and government information. Ms. Schell also maintains an active pro bono practice, representing individuals and non-profit organizations against similar claims.

Joe Slaughter, Litigation, New York: Mr. Slaughter focuses on content-related disputes, including defending the rights of the news media, TV, film, and music producers and distributors, advertising agencies, and other content creators in state and federal courts across the country. He regularly represents media and entertainment clients in matters involving defamation, privacy, right of publicity, and First Amendment issues; copyright, trademark, and trade secret claims; FOIA/FOIL and related access matters, and production-related legal issues. In addition to his media and entertainment work, Mr. Slaughter maintains an active commercial litigation practice, and has deep experience in a wide variety of substantive areas of law, including general commercial litigation, white collar disputes and investigations, real estate litigation, labor and employment matters, and litigation arising from bankruptcy.

Andrew Spruiell, Business and Transactions, Boulder: Mr. Spruiell advises companies in corporate, licensing, commercial, and acquisitive transactions. His experience has included buy- and sell-side acquisitions, initial formation, venture capital and private equity financings, mergers and acquisitions, strategic business partnerships and collaborations, as well as complex intellectual property licensing. His clients span the life sciences, medical device, technology, food and beverage, communications, and manufacturing sectors.

Jessica Case Watt, Litigation, Delaware: Ms. Watt represents clients in complex corporate and commercial disputes. Her corporate litigation practice in the Delaware Court of Chancery regularly addresses breach of fiduciary duty claims, shareholder disputes, advancement and indemnification claims, and other corporate governance issues. She also handles commercial litigation involving breach of contract and fraud claims in all Delaware state courts and numerous U.S. District Courts. In addition, Ms. Watt has experience with white collar litigation, including conducting internal investigations.

Joseph W. Weill, Real Estate, New Jersey: Mr. Weill concentrates on real estate transactions, including the acquisition, disposition, development, and redevelopment of multifamily, retail, office, industrial, and warehouse properties. He has helped counsel all manner of investors, developers, and lenders in the real estate space. His experience includes the representation of developers and investors in the acquisition and redevelopment of affordable and seniors housing projects that are partially funded tax credits. Mr. Weill also has an active commercial leasing practice and represents both landlords and tenants, and advises borrowers and lenders in real estate finance matters.

For media inquiries, please contact Will Ashenmacher at 612.371.5792.