Mark S. Stewart

Partner He / Him / His
Philadelphia

Mark S. Stewart is Chair of the firm. Before assuming his full-time leadership position, he successfully litigated complex commercial matters, including securities, antitrust, contract disputes, and product liability, on behalf of major pharmaceutical and other corporate clients. Mark also chaired the firm's Higher Education Practice Group and represented university clients across the country in commercial disputes and other civil litigation.

As Chair, Mark has led a number of strategic expansions. He oversaw Ballard Spahr's entry into the New York market through cross-practice lateral acquisition and a combination with the white collar defense firm Stillman & Friedman. In 2018, Mark guided the firm in the establishment of its Midwest presence, overseeing its merger with Lindquist & Vennum, which added offices in Minneapolis and Sioux Falls, South Dakota, and bolstered Ballard Spahr's corporate transactional capabilities. Under his direction, the firm developed the nation's premier First Amendment litigation and media law practice, merging with Levine Sullivan Koch & Schulz in 2017 and adding a team from Leopold, Petrich & Smith two years later.

Professional Highlights

Pro Bono Experience

Mark is a member of the team instrumental in overturning a death penalty for a father convicted in the arson death of his two children. Mark represented 2012 Secretary of State's International Women of Courage Award recipient Hawa Salih in her successful fight for U.S. asylum. Ms. Salih has since obtained U.S. citizenship.

Judicial Clerkships

Hon. Justice Sidney M. Schreiber, Supreme Court of New Jersey

Recognition & Accomplishments

The Best Lawyers in America, commercial litigation, 2019-2023

University of Delaware College of Arts and Sciences Alumni Achievement Award, 2016

Associated Black Charities Change Agent for More in the Middle Award, 2016

Board Memberships & Community Service

Children's Hospital of Philadelphia Corporate Council

Entoto Foundation

Police Athletic League

Publications

"Progress Toward True Diversity," Profiles in Diversity Journal, March/April 2012

Credentials 

Education

University of Pennsylvania Law School (J.D. 1982)

University of Delaware (B.A. 1978, with distinction and highest honors)
Recipient, Alexander J. Taylor Award (for outstanding male graduate)

London School of Economics (G.C. 1977)

Admissions

New Jersey

Pennsylvania