Ian Ribald Named Chief Marketing and Business Development Officer at Ballard Spahr

Ballard Spahr has hired Ian Ribald, whose experience includes leading global and national marketing and business development strategies, enhancing industry-focused client engagement, and incorporating a data-focused competitive intelligence function at an Am Law 15 global firm, as its Chief Marketing and Business Development Officer.

Ian joins the firm from Norton Rose Fulbright, where he held various U.S. and Global leadership roles and executed integrated marketing campaigns to grow firm revenue, enhance client satisfaction, and increase market awareness. He earned his bachelor’s degree from Yeshiva University, his law degree from Touro Law School, and his M.B.A. from Touro University.

“Ballard’s strategy for growth and development—combined with our commitment to incomparable client service and collaboration and our focus on operational excellence—requires that the person in this role be comfortable taking forward-thinking, dynamic approaches to the way we serve our clients, attorneys, and professional staff,” firm Chair Peter V. Michaud said. “I’m confident that Ian will thrive in our culture of innovation, and we are thrilled to welcome him to the firm.”

At Ballard Spahr, Ian will provide strategic leadership for the firm’s client-centric marketing and business development priorities, including communications, operations, alumni relations, client development, marketing-focused technology, and media relations.

“As technology, including generative AI, begins to have a meaningful impact on the legal sector and client needs are increasingly driven by political uncertainty and evolving regulatory scrutiny and enforcement, having someone with Ian’s global experience and business-focused mindset will be key to our success in a competitive marketplace,” said Ballard Spahr Chief Operating Officer Debra S. Lawrence. “Ian will manage a talented team as it takes our service approach to an even higher level.”

Ian brings a track record of success in developing proactive, client-first strategies to grow relationships across industry sectors by implementing coaching programs, developing a sales framework for client management, conducting market analysis, and identifying opportunities for both internal and external growth. He has served as the Dallas City Group Chair of the Legal Marketing Association, as a member of LawVision’s Directors Roundtable, and as an adjunct professor at the University of North Texas Law School.

“Ballard’s expansive national presence, strong reputation, and collaborative culture is extremely attractive to me as I take this next step in my career,” Ian said. “There’s a significant amount of innovation taking place in the market for legal services, and I am excited to work at a firm that understands and embraces the opportunities in this rapidly changing environment.”