Ballard Spahr, along with many other firms, deferred start dates for first-year associates in 2009. The firm paid stipends to associates during the deferral and helped them find work at public interest firms that would give them much-needed experience, both in the courtroom and with clients. One of those associates was Lisa Swaminathan, who spent the year at Community Legal Services (CLS).
Ms. Swaminathan “showed that she was just as committed, just as compassionate, as any lawyer we would hire, and we worked with the same passion,” said Cathy Carr, executive director of CLS. Ms. Carr said that the relationship between CLS and Ballard Spahr has grown stronger, into what she described as a “valuable connection between the private and public bars that will continue to benefit vulnerable clients.”