John G. Kerkorian, a commercial litigator who represents leading Arizona businesses and national financial institutions, will become Managing Partner of Ballard Spahr’s Phoenix office effective July 1, firm Chair Mark Stewart announced today.
Kerkorian succeeds Stephen M. Savage, who was a co-founder of the Phoenix office and has served as its Managing Partner since it opened in August 2006. Savage will continue his practice focusing on business planning and corporate, commercial, and real estate transactions.
“Steve has been instrumental in attracting top attorneys in the region to Ballard,” said Stewart. “He and John have worked together for many years and share a deep understanding of the local market and how our national presence can benefit the firm’s local clients. We are fortunate to have continuity in management as John moves into the leadership role.”
Kerkorian represents businesses in complex civil litigation at both the trial and appellate court levels, with an emphasis on corporate business litigation and consumer class action defense. He is a member of the firm’s Privacy and Data Security Group, which assists clients with compliance, investigations and litigation, as well as pre-litigation planning. He also regularly handles employment-related disputes involving restrictive covenants, trade secrets, harassment, and discrimination.
Kerkorian is a member of Ballard Spahr’s Elected Board, and is a trustee of the Arizona Science Center. He has been with the firm since 2007, and participated in the growth of the Phoenix office.
“After being the managing partner of the Phoenix office for nine years, I am looking forward to turning over the reins to John and focusing on client matters and specific firm projects,” said Savage. “John and I have similar views on law firm management and culture, so I’m very confident about the future direction of the office.”
Ballard Spahr established its Phoenix office with two local, prominent business and finance attorneys, Savage and Karen McConnell. The office now has more than 30 attorneys representing all departments of the firm: litigation, real estate, business and finance, public finance, and intellectual property.
In the past year, the office expanded its practice areas with the additions of prominent media law and white collar defense attorneys, and has enhanced its government relations, regulatory affairs and contracting group with prominent former Arizona state government officials.
“The development and success of Ballard’s Phoenix office is due in large measure to Steve’s leadership,” said Kerkorian. “He has built an office of outstanding lawyers who also are exceptional individuals. He will be a tremendous resource to me and the firm in our efforts to attract top-notch legal talent and expand the depth and breadth of our client services. ”
Ballard Spahr LLP is a national law firm with more than 500 lawyers in 14 offices in the United States that provides a range of services in litigation, business and finance, real estate, intellectual property, and public finance to clients that include Fortune 500 companies, financial institutions, life sciences and technology companies, health systems, investors and developers, government agencies and sponsored enterprises, educational institutions, and nonprofit organizations. The firm combines a national scope of practice with strong regional market knowledge.
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