Ballard Spahr LLP’s Post

#Bressler’s Birmingham Office Managing Principal and Management Committee Member Josh Jones has once again been selected to the Birmingham Business Journal's annual “Who’s Who in Law” list! This list recognizes the top leaders in Birmingham’s legal industry. Congratulations to Josh on this recognition! Visit the link below to view the full list of honorees. https://lnkd.in/eyWQsWSk * A subscription may be required   #BBJ #birminghamlawyers #birminghamlawfirms #birminghambusinessjournal #alabamalawyers #alabamalaw #birminghamlegalcommunity

As the tenure of Susan Kohlmann, 2022-2024 President of the New York City Bar Association (Bar) has drawn to a close, we take this moment to commemorate the remarkable achievements and lasting impact she has brought to the Bar, Jenner & Block, the New York legal community, and the industry at large. Learn more: https://lnkd.in/gAStetHh    #NYCBA #JennerNewYork #BigLaw #WomenInLaw #WomenInLeadership

“The game of private practice..” After being an Assistant Attorney General in the DOJ, Gary Williams entered into private practice It wasn't a seamless shift; he encountered challenges like billable hours, demanding clients, and navigating a predominantly white male space as a Black man. However, Gary found his equilibrium by mastering "the game." 1. **Get A Mentor:** Gary emphasizes the importance of seeking mentorship. Having a guiding figure proved invaluable in navigating the complexities of private practice. 2. **Balance Your Workload/Set Boundaries:** Different attorneys are going to give you assignments and while it’s a great to get as much experience as possible you still have to say no at times when you have a full plate. 3. **Get Involved:** Actively engaging in the legal community is vital. Gary encourages professionals to make themselves known, fostering connections that contribute to a successful private practice journey. 4. **Join Bar Associations and Diversity Committees:** Gary found strength in joining Bar associations and diversity committees. These platforms provided a supportive network and opportunities to contribute to diversity and inclusion initiatives. Gary's experience underscores the transformative power of these steps. Implementing them made navigating private practice significantly more manageable. Here's to embracing growth, building connections, and overcoming challenges in the legal profession! Full Episode: https://linktw.in/Vwirny 🎙️⚖️ #LegalCareer #PrivatePracticeInsights #MentorshipMatters

Check out this excellent, quick read by Jordan Freeman, Esq., Chair of Young Lawyers Division - Philadelphia Bar Association on the benefits of collaboration with lawyers of different generations: - “To be the best lawyers for our clients, we must be the best version of ourselves.” - “Mentorship can be the key to unlocking the potential of young associates, while also enlightening to seasoned attorneys who have their quibbles with the next generation of attorneys.” - “We are all in this together. The profession and purpose is bigger than us individually.” #collaboration #lawyers #mentoring

When I contacted my dear friend and former colleague Scott Musoff in 2002 to see if Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP and Affiliates would host the NYC launch of my growing Flex-Time Lawyers network, Scott and Skadden said yes. At the time, flexibility in the legal profession was the kiss of death.   When I asked Scott in 2010 if Skadden would host the inaugural interview for my first book with then New York Times columnist Lisa Belkin, Scott and Skadden said yes. The book challenged the billable hour and many other foundations upon which large law firms were built.   When I recently asked Scott if Skadden would host a conversation on September 19 with Scott Galloway about antisemitism and anti-Zionism, Scott and Skadden said yes. Most firms and companies are running as far away from this discussion as possible.   I’m deeply grateful to have a trusted friend in Scott Musoff. I’m also humbled to have collaborated for more than 20 years with Skadden — a firm with the courage to lead and provide a forum for education, dialogue, and compassion.   Our conversation, “Unpacking Antisemitism & Anti-Zionism After October 7th,” will deliver nuance and understanding — what I believe is necessary to contend with these difficult and divisive issues. Additionally, we’ll share strategies to combat antisemitism and speak out against all forms of hate.   Register here: https://lnkd.in/e4vSkkiq. You won’t want to miss it.   #dehspeakerseries #inspirationlovescompany #skadden #fightantisemitism #standagainsthate #courage #leadership #education #dialogue #compassion #nuance #understanding #neveragainisnow

I am honored to have been recognized again in the 2025 edition of "Best Lawyers in America" along with so many of my esteemed colleagues and other practitioners in our field. Thank you to my peers for my inclusion again this year! #familylaw #bestlawyersinamerica #chicago #chicagolaw #divorcelawyer #childcustody #familylawattorney #recognition #legalexcellence #lawyerlife #peerreview

Join our team in celebrating and congratulating Elizabeth A. Green, Esq. for being recognized in the 31st edition of Best Lawyers in America for her outstanding work in Trusts and Estates. Congratulations, Elizabeth! 👏 🎉 . . #BrezaLaw #TrustsAndEstates #BestLawyersInAmerica #LegalExcellence #LawFirmLife #LegalCommunity #LawyerLife #MarylandAttorney #EstatePlanning

Having learned last week that around 10,000 documents were not disclosed by legal departments that had a legal professional duty to do so in the Post Office scandal, it seems all the more poignant to have listened to some lesser-known insights that were eloquently shared by Kathleen Donnelly KC, who was part of the claimants’ legal team in civil action against the Post Office, yesterday at the Eagles GC Symposium. The galling fact remains that the legal departments of both Fujitsu and the Post Office, including external legal advisors, have yet to be held to account; nevermind, addressing a clear indication of the endemic and pernicious corporate culture that fostered such an avoidable scandal to occur. Her talk makes clear that scapegoating the few names we now know mainly from Netflix (let’s face it as the case was decided December 2019) hardly scratch the surface of those responsible. Lawyers are held to a higher ethical standard for good reason as gatekeepers of the rule of law and administration of justice. It is clear there is more to be done in making sure in-house counsel and external legal advisors who assist and indeed perpetrate corporate misdeeds and abuse of the legal system are held to account. Where are the lawyers who prosecuted so many of these sub-postmasters based on flimsy or nonexistent evidence and instructed/used intimidation tactics to obtain pleas? Why wasn’t the sudden increase in actions against sub-postmasters noticed as suspect? (Or was it?) Where are the lawyers now that prepared those bundles to instruct counsel in those matters? Have any been challenged or faced consequences? Not only lessons need to be learned here but further professional and legal reprimand is needed for justice in this matter to be properly metered. We need to do better and clearly Lesley Wan and all those involved with pulling off a fabulous senior in-house counsel Eagle event are doing to their part to help achieve that change. Thank you! #theeagleclub #generalcounsel #inhouse #knowledgesharing #inspirationalleadership #legaleagles #ruleoflaw #postofficescandal #justice

My partner Alexandra Garrison Barnett will speak on the “What Is Our Best Offense: Addressing the Attacks on DEI: A Legal Perspective" panel on April 24. Register to learn about recent legal challenges to #DEI initiatives and more. Secure your spot for this empowering webinar today!

The Financial Times has named Morgan Lewis the winner of the Innovative Lawyers in Access to Justice & Civil Rights category as part of the FT Innovative Lawyers North America Awards 2023. We are also ranked among the Top 15 Most Innovative Law Firms in North America in the publication’s 2023 Innovative Lawyers North America Report, which assesses firms’ innovation, use of data and technology, policies, approach to social responsibility, and financial growth. Learn more about this recognition: https://bit.ly/3t7DUTR