Eight Ballard Spahr Attorneys Elevated to Of Counsel, Counsel

Eight Ballard Spahr attorneys have been elevated to Of Counsel or Counsel, firm Chair Mark Stewart announced today.

The eight attorneys come from four of the firm’s five departments and six of its 15 offices. They embody the Ballard Spahr hallmarks of legal excellence and an unwavering dedication to clients.

The six attorneys who have been elevated to Of Counsel are:

Matthew E. Kelley, Litigation, Washington, D.C.: Mr. Kelley advises and represents media companies, journalists, filmmakers, bloggers, and other content creators in a wide range of legal issues. His experience in state and federal courts across the country includes defending clients against defamation, privacy, and copyright claims; litigating Freedom of Information Act and other access matters; challenging subpoenas for privileged information; and other issues implicating First Amendment rights. Mr. Kelley also counsels clients on legal issues involving newsgathering and intellectual property.

Stephanie S. Kim, Finance, Washington, D.C.: Ms. Kim regularly serves as bond counsel, lender’s counsel, underwriter’s counsel, borrower’s counsel, and trustee’s counsel on a variety of municipal bond financings, including general obligation, revenue, conduit, solid waste, bioenergy, manufacturing, health care, and educational facility bond transactions.

Katie Leesman, Finance, Washington, D.C.: Ms. Leesman counsels clients on complex business transactions, with an emphasis on energy project finance, public-private partnership (P3) projects, project development and acquisition, related financings, and associated federal and state energy regulatory matters. Ms. Leesman is experienced with numerous project technologies, including commercial, utility-scale, residential-scale photovoltaic systems, and community solar projects.

Michael S. Myers, Litigation, Phoenix and Los Angeles: Mr. Myers focuses his practice on complex Chapter 11 bankruptcy proceedings as well as commercial litigation, primarily in the areas of real property, retail/restaurant/hospitality, technology, and distressed assets. From his base in the San Francisco Bay area, Mr. Myers’ practice extends across state and federal courts throughout the United States.

Chittam U. Thakore, Intellectual Property, Atlanta: Ms. Thakore counsels clients on intellectual property litigation strategy, including preparing patent invalidity or non-infringement positions as applicable. She uses her technical background in the life sciences to counsel clients on matters involving biomedical technologies, gene and DNA sequencing technology, medical devices and drug delivery systems. Ms. Thakore is a well-rounded IP litigator, handling patent, trademark, and trade secret litigation. She also co-leads Ballard Women, the firm’s Business Resource Group for women attorneys, professionals, and clients.

Brittany M. Wilson, Litigation, Philadelphia: Ms. Wilson practices complex commercial litigation and has experience in cases involving breach of contract, fraud, environmental, securities, trade secrets, and insurance matters. She has defended insurers and insurance brokers against fraud, negligence, and breach of contract claims. Ms. Wilson has represented insurers in matters involving receiverships. She also has experience assisting clients with white collar criminal defense including conducting internal investigations and matters involving the False Claims Act.

The two attorneys who have been elevated to Counsel are:

Jim Hannon, Intellectual Property, Atlanta: Mr. Hannon is a registered patent attorney who practices in the areas of patent prosecution and counseling, IP evaluation, licensing, and litigation. Mr. Hannon provides ongoing support for his clients' IP portfolio development, including prosecution, maintenance, analysis, diligence, and enforcement. Mr. Hannon has obtained or assisted in the procurement and management of hundreds of U.S. and foreign patents, the majority of which are in the fields of: cable and internet technologies; computer software and systems; firearms; consumer products; manual and electric hand tools; aerospace and satellite systems; LED, OLED, and general lighting; wiring devices and systems; control systems; mass notification systems; oilfield drilling and services; financial services; and communication technologies.

Lindsey Parker, Real Estate, Salt Lake City: Mr. Parker focuses his practice on all matters relating to the development of timeshare resorts and products at the national and international level. His practice also emphasizes regulatory compliance and the creation of new travel and vacation programs. Over the years, Mr. Parker has participated in many transactions involving the purchase and sale of resort properties, timeshare interests and programs, and management agreements.

For media inquiries, please contact Will Ashenmacher at 612.371.5792.