Frederic L. ‘Rick’ Ballard, Jr. Conference Room Dedicated at New Fairmount Park HQ in Philadelphia

The Frederic L. Ballard, Jr. Conference Room at the new Fairmount Park Conservancy headquarters was dedicated this week in memory of the Ballard Spahr partner whose acclaimed legal career, remarkable intellect, and caring personality served as an example and inspiration to his family, colleagues, and friends.

The conference room was unveiled during the grand opening of the new Center for Parks, the revamped main offices of the Conservancy, a nonprofit organization that leads and supports efforts to improve Philadelphia’s parks. Ballard Spahr partners contributed to the Center’s renovation in honor of their late colleague and his family’s dedication to keeping City parks thriving.

“This room is dedicated in memory of Rick Ballard from his Partners at Ballard Spahr LLP in recognition of Rick’s storied legal career, characterized by a tireless advocacy on behalf of his clients and a fierce dedication to the Firm and profession, and his family’s longstanding commitment to the preservation and well-being of our City’s park system,” reads a plaque displayed in the Frederic L. Ballard, Jr. Conference Room.

In addition to his extraordinary career accomplishments, Mr. Ballard was known for being fair, kind, and civic-minded. He died in May 2014.

“We trust that Rick’s towering intellect, sense of propriety and fairness, and kindness toward others will be imparted onto the deliberations and decisions made in this room,” the plaque reads.
Mr. Ballard attended Chestnut Hill Academy for elementary and high school and later served as a trustee of CHA and the Springside Chestnut Hill Corporation. He was a graduate of Harvard College and Harvard Law School.

Mr. Ballard joined Ballard Spahr in Philadelphia as an associate in 1966, became a partner seven years later, and would go on to play a pivotal role in transforming his great-grandfather's small law office into a national firm of more than 500 lawyers. In 1978, Mr. Ballard moved to Washington, D.C., to open the firm's first office outside Philadelphia. He served as Managing Partner of that office for its first seven years. He served as Chair of Ballard Spahr’s Public Finance Department from 1995 to 2000 and its Financial Planning and Management Department from 2000 to 2006.

Among numerous accolades, Mr. Ballard was the recipient of the National Association of Bond Lawyers Bernard P. Friel Medal for Service in Public Finance (2005) and Frederick O. Kiel Distinguished Service Award (2007), making him one of the few people ever to win both.

The Fairmount Park Conservancy works with the City of Philadelphia and its communities to serve as a steward of the City’s parks. The nonprofit organization restores, improves, and maintains Philadelphia's parks through capital projects, such as the relighting of boathouse row, which is to be completed later this year; programs, such as neighborhood park stewardship; architectural conservation and preservation services; and arts and cultural events and programs, such as the West Park Arts Fest.

For media inquiries, please contact Bill Shralow at 215.864.8195.