Former DuPont General Counsel Joins Ballard Spahr

PHILADELPHIA (September 3, 2014) –  Tom Sager, the former General Counsel at DuPont Co. and one of the most well-respected and innovative leaders in the legal profession, has joined Ballard Spahr as a partner, firm Chair Mark Stewart announced today.

Mr. Sager will leverage his considerable experience steering the legal department at a heavily regulated, Fortune 100 global corporation to a broad portfolio of areas at Ballard Spahr, including litigation and trial practice, internal investigations,  environmental issues, and mergers and acquisitions. Mr. Sager will be resident in the firm’s Philadelphia and Wilmington offices.

“It is our goal in every representation to understand the perspective of our clients and to achieve success as they define it,” Mr. Stewart said. “Tom will work across disciplines to help us anticipate change and remain a national leader in the delivery of legal services. His unique insight and experience will be an invaluable asset to clients. We are thrilled to welcome him to Ballard.”

Mr. Sager began his career with DuPont as an attorney in the Labor, Benefits & Corporate Security Group and spent more than a decade as chief litigation counsel before being named Senior Vice President and General Counsel in 2008. During his tenure, he oversaw significant litigation involving governmental investigations, product liability, environmental, toxic tort, labor and employment, securities, antitrust, and tax.

Mr. Sager also helped pioneer the DuPont Convergence and Law Firm Partnering Program—or DuPont Legal Model—which has become a benchmark in the industry and has received national acclaim for its innovative approach to the business of practicing law. The program redefined the way in which law firms measure success, encourage creativity and collaboration, increase efficiency, and retain and promote women and minorities.

“I am truly excited to join Ballard Spahr. Among DuPont’s network of dedicated and trusted counsel, they are among the best,” said Mr. Sager. “The firm has strength in a wide range of practice areas, many of which correlate with my experience in-house. Most important, I share the firm’s core values and client commitment, and its diverse and inclusive culture.”

Ballard Spahr received DuPont’s “Meeting the Challenge” Award 10 times, more than any other law firm. The award is given annually to firms demonstrating extraordinary contributions to DuPont and its network of external providers through creative and resourceful lawyering, commitment to diversity, and community outreach. Mr. Sager was a strong and early proponent of diversity in the legal profession. He will continue to play a prominent role in the national discussion on diversity and will engage firm leadership to ensure that inclusion remains a priority at Ballard Spahr.

Mr. Sager is a board member at many professional and community organizations, including the Minority Corporate Counsel Association, which established an annual award in his name that is given to firms that demonstrate outstanding commitment to diversity. Last month, The American Lawyer magazine named Mr. Sager a recipient of its 2014 Lifetime Achievement Award. He was recognized by The National Law Journal in 2010 as one of the 40 most influential attorneys and was featured in The American Lawyer as one of the Top 50 Legal Innovators.

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.