Peter Michaud joined Ballard Spahr through its 2018 merger with Lindquist & Vennum, where he’d started as a summer associate in 1996. He’ll formally take over as Ballard’s chair on Jan. 1, 2024. Until then, he’s doing a lot of job-shadowing with current chair Mark Stewart. “I’m taking advantage of this extended transition period to really dig in deep within our firm, get to know our practices, and learn more about our attorneys and offices,” says Michaud. There may be more change down the road, too. “We do see mergers in our future,” he says. Michaud, who will be the firm’s first openly gay chair, also aims to bolster Ballard Spahr’s commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion.

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