Tax Attorney Saba Ashraf Joins Ballard Spahr

ATLANTA (January 28, 2014) –  Saba Ashraf, who advises clients worldwide on corporate and partnership taxation matters, has joined Ballard Spahr as a partner, firm Chair Mark Stewart announced today. Her arrival further strengthens the firm’s Tax, Mergers and Acquisitions/Private Equity, and Health Care Groups and builds its growing corporate capabilities in the Southeast.

Ms. Ashraf has managed the tax aspects of a wide range of complex business transactions. She assists clients in mergers, acquisitions, and spin-offs; recapitalizations; leveraged buyouts; going private transactions; joint ventures; fund formations; investments; debt restructurings and loan workouts; and securitizations. She also has experience dealing with the IRS and state tax agencies during state and federal audits.

“Ballard is home to some of the best tax attorneys in the country and Saba’s arrival is part of our long-range plan to maintain that excellent reputation,” said Mr. Stewart. “Our lawyers have worked alongside Saba as both a colleague and an adversary and know her to be an excellent advocate and skilled negotiator. She is exactly the type of top-tier attorney we are looking to add to our fast-growing Atlanta office.”

Ms. Ashraf has represented major financial services institutions and investment concerns, global manufacturing firms, and Fortune 500 companies, and she has managed the tax issues on 10-figure deals, both in the United States and abroad.

“In Atlanta, Ballard Spahr is synonymous with intellectual property. But that is changing,” said Han C. Choi, a noted public finance lawyer and Managing Partner of the firm’s Atlanta office. “Over the past five years, we have been slowly and strategically expanding our capacity in Atlanta. We now offer services in business and finance, litigation, real estate, public finance, and consumer financial services. Saba is a welcome addition to the office and we know our clients will enjoy working with her.”

Ms. Ashraf joins the firm from McKenna Long & Aldridge, where she was a partner and led the firm’s tax practice.  She is recognized by several publications, including Chambers USA: Leading Lawyers for Business, as a leading tax attorney. Ms. Ashraf is fluent in Urdu.

“Ballard is committed to growing its Atlanta office, which was important to me,” said Ms. Ashraf. “The firm has the national platform I need to take my practice to the next level as well as a deep bench of first-rate lawyers who regularly work on the caliber of complex matters where I can add value. I’m looking forward to being a part of the team.”

About Ballard Spahr

Ballard Spahr LLP, a national law firm with more than 500 lawyers in 14 offices in the United States, provides a range of services in litigation, business and finance, real estate, intellectual property, and public finance. Our clients 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. For more information, please visit www.ballardspahr.com.