Private equity and M&A lawyer Peter Michaud is poised to become the first openly gay chair of Ballard Spahr in Minneapolis; he will take over as chair Jan. 1, 2024. He aims to bolster the firm’s commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion. In preparation for his role, he’s already made key moves, including the creation of two new C-level roles to help position the firm for further success by ensuring the administration of the organization is aligned with attorney goals. At Ballard, Michaud is a vocal proponent of Equality Ballard: LGBTQIA+ Colleagues and Allies, which provides business development and pro bono outreach opportunities to the LGBTQIA+ community while maintaining a supportive internal environment. He is also an active member of the firm’s DEI council.