Ballard Spahr appoints new Litigation Department head

The Philadelphia-based law firm of Ballard Spahr, which employees 500 attorneys in 13 offices nationwide, announced Tuesday that it has named lawyer John B. Langel as chair of the company’s Litigation Department, Ballard Spahr’s largest practice group, with more than 200 attorneys in its 13 offices.

Langel succeeds William A. Slaughter, who will maintain his practice and remain general counsel to Ballard Spahr and a member of the firm’s management committee, according to a statement posted on the company’s website.

Langel has led Ballard Spahr’s Labor and Employment Group since its inception more than three decades ago, and has “built it into a formidable ally to clients as they navigate an increasingly complex array of workplace issues,” the statement reads.

Ballard Spahr represents clients in cases ranging from securities class actions to complex commercial litigation and contractual disputes and federal and state appeals.

“Our clients face unprecedented challenges and it is more vital than ever that they remain agile, informed and financially robust,” Langel said in a statement. “Our job is to help them avoid and remove obstacles to their success and pave the way so that they can do business. With the help of a stellar team, I look forward to expanding our litigation capability nationwide.”

On the same day as the Langel announcement, the law firm stated that it has appointed William C. Rhodes to lead its Public Finance Department, which comprises 50 attorneys who represent state and local governments and authorities, nonprofit organizations and financial institutions “in virtually every type of bond transaction,” according to the firm’s statement.

Rhodes succeeds Blake K. Wade, who will maintain his practice and become managing partner of the firm’s Salt Lake City office.

According to the firm’s statement, Rhodes was integral in forming Ballard Spahr’s Municipal Recovery Initiative, which helps guide municipalities through financial challenges.

“I am excited to lead the public finance practice in a firm that has remained committed to the municipal market, even during difficult conditions,” Rhodes said in a statement. “I plan to expand the depth and diversity of our public finance practice, as well as our national footprint, while maintaining the principles that have made ours one of the premier public finance practices in the country.”

Ballard Spahr was founded in 1885 in Philadelphia.