Where We Stand

June 8, 2020

Law is our trade and our passion. We have dedicated ourselves to the pursuit of justice and sworn to uphold the guiding principles that distinguish this country.

We are at a moment of challenge unprecedented in our generation—and we want to be clear about where we stand.

Ours is a community where people of every background and belief system are welcomed and have an opportunity to succeed. Diversity and Inclusion is a fundamental value of the firm. It is a foundation of our culture, and defines who we are.

We live and work in Minneapolis, Atlanta, Washington, New York, Los Angeles, Philadelphia, Baltimore, and other American cities shaken by unrest and uncertainty. As a firm, we share the pain of recent events, as well as the obligation to fight the causes and results of systemic racism. We also reaffirm our commitment to defending the First Amendment: the right to speak up, to protest, and to report.

As lawyers, we are uniquely positioned to effect change—and we will step up our efforts to do so. Through the firm's Racial Justice and Equality Initiative, we will identify and litigate pro bono cases that address racial injustice and inequity. We also will provide financial support to partner organizations engaged in tackling these issues.

We join our clients and communities as they denounce racism, violence, and brutality in all its forms, endeavor to keep our communities safe from illness, and seek economic recovery. We pledge to continue our self-examination and to challenge ourselves, listen to those with lived experience, contribute to our shared humanity, and do our part to advance the change we know is necessary.

– Ballard Spahr

Ballard Spahr issued this statement on June 8, 2020, amidst unprecedented unrest. The firm continues to reinforce its message because attacks on communities of color have not abated.