Former Congressional Staff  Director and Chief Counsel Maria Tripplaar Joins Ballard Spahr

Maria Tripplaar—an experienced Capitol Hill strategist who has served as Staff Director and Chief Counsel for the U.S. House of Representatives Committee on Veterans’ Affairs—has joined Ballard Spahr’s Government Affairs and Public Policy Group, firm Chair Mark Stewart announced today. She will be resident in the firm’s Washington, D.C. office.

Ms. Tripplaar comes to Ballard Spahr after a long term of service on Capitol Hill. She served as an attorney at the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs and the National Veterans Legal Services Program. She also was Staff Director and Counsel for the Subcommittee on Disability Assistance and Memorial Affairs while she was on the Hill.

“Maria has many years of experience in senior-level committee posts, and that background is invaluable to our clients,” said Robert “BJ” Clark, who leads the firm’s Government Affairs and Public Policy Group. “Between the cooling economy, new social pressures, and an active presidential administration, organizations across the country have to demonstrate great agility and foresight. With Maria aboard, we’re in an even better position to help when the stakes are high.”

At Ballard Spahr, Ms. Tripplaar will handle federal government affairs and public policy matters. She will serve as a liaison between clients and federal agencies to facilitate compliance with regulations.

The attorneys of Ballard Spahr’s Government Affairs and Public Policy Group—whose experience includes both public service and private practice—have the ability to grasp the policy context of their clients’ goals. They anticipate issues and identify legislative and regulatory initiatives that affect clients’ interests, and the service they provide their government clients is fully informed by the subject matter professionals—including those in energy, student lending, and finance—from across Ballard Spahr’s five departments and 15 offices.

For media inquiries, please contact Will Ashenmacher at 612.371.5792.