Goal to Increase Number of Minority Students Pursuing Careers in the Legal Profession

Ballard Chairman Arthur Makadon will announce the firm's new partnership with Constitution High School for American Studies at the opening reception of the American Bar Association's National Conference for the Minority Lawyer on Wednesday, June 21, 2006, from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m., at the Westin Philadelphia Hotel. The opening reception is being sponsored by Ballard and Wal-Mart Stores, Inc. After welcoming the expected 300 conference attendees to Philadelphia, Makadon will be followed at the podium by Wal-Mart General Counsel Tom Mars — a well-known corporate advocate for increased diversity in the legal profession.

Opening in September 2006, the Constitution High School is a Philadelphia School District magnet school located at 7th and Market Streets. The Constitution High School will feature a curriculum grounded in American history, law, and government that is designed to foster active civic engagement. Unique curricular material and extra-curricular opportunities will be developed by the School District in partnership with the National Constitution Center and the Gilder Lehrman Institute of American History. Ballard will provide ongoing legal, financial, and volunteer support for the school and its curriculum. To learn more about the school, please visit www.constitutioncenter.org/highschool.

"Ballard is making a significant, multi-year commitment to Constitution High School," said Makadon. "Our commitment will undoubtedly evolve over time, as we develop a better sense of what is needed and what we can do.”

Specifically, the firm will provide support for the students, including matching lawyers with students in a mentoring program, providing lawyers to co-teach classes, and developing job shadowing and job place visits for Constitution High students. Ballard will also provide ongoing legal assistance for the school on a pro bono basis and will coach and support the school's moot court program. In addition, Ballard hopes to provide a work-study program, similar to that provided by most universities. Ballard lawyers, Justin Klein and Sally Steffen, will serve on the school's advisory board, which will be chaired by Third Circuit Court of Appeals Judge and Pennsylvania First Lady Marjorie Rendell.

According to Leslie John, Co-Chair of Ballard's Diversity Committee, the decision to become involved with this exciting new educational initiative is being driven by the firm's desire to do what it can to increase the number of minorities entering the legal profession.

“Ballard Spahr's attorneys and staff have a long history of supporting Philadelphia's public high schools with their volunteer efforts. By focusing those efforts on Constitution High, we can support the school in its mission of developing the next generation of engaged citizens and civic leaders in government, public policy, and law,” said John. “We hope that our support for the school will encourage minority students to pursue legal careers, and that eventually we will be able to welcome some graduates of Constitution High as future Ballard lawyers.”

"We are excited about this opportunity to partner with the School District and the Constitution Center to benefit the young people who will attend Constitution High," Makadon explained. "The corporate world has spearheaded pipeline projects to increase diversity in the workplace. Ballard is pleased to be among the first law firms to develop such a program. We see this as a logical and necessary next step in the effort to improve diversity within the legal profession."

Ballard Spahr's Commitment to Diversity

At Ballard, diversity is not just a core value, but rather a call to action that is part of our daily practice. We know that we are better — stronger, livelier, tougher, and ultimately more perceptive in our judgments and far-reaching in our achievements—for being diverse. Our commitment to diversity requires daily action and brings daily rewards, as we work to foster inclusiveness for people of all races, ethnicities, genders, and sexual orientations, and to enhance the environment we create for our collective efforts and life together as lawyers, citizens, and advocates for our clients. We believe that our efforts have produced a workplace in which mutual respect is paramount, and we will continue to solidify this investment in our future. To learn more about Ballard's commitment to diversity, please visit http://www.ballardspahr.com/about/Commitment_to_Diversity.asp.