Three Ballard Spahr attorneys have been elected to the firm's partnership, effective July 1, 2017, firm Chair Mark Stewart announced today.

The new partners—Meredith Swartz Dante of the firm's Litigation Department in the Philadelphia office, Peter W. Hennessey of the Business and Finance Department, also based in Philadelphia, and Bruce F. Johnson of the Real Estate Department in the Las Vegas office—work with clients across a range of industries to identify and address legal issues and advance clients' business interests.

"Meredith, Peter, and Bruce are exceptional attorneys who embody the Ballard Spahr hallmarks of legal excellence, unwavering dedication to clients, and commitment to colleagues and the community," Mr. Stewart said. "They are well-positioned to help our clients keep pace with a rapidly evolving business, regulatory, and legislative environment. We're proud to call them our partners."

Meredith Swartz Dante

Ms. Dante represents employers across industries in a range of labor and employment matters. She partners with clients to proactively identify issues and devise legal solutions that are tailored to the client's workforce and business needs. She advises clients in matters involving discrimination, whistleblower complaints and retaliation, wage and hour issues, reductions in force, restrictive covenants, federal and state leave laws, and diversity and inclusion programs. She conducts audits and internal investigations and defends clients in single plaintiff, class, and collective actions.

Ms. Dante also advises public and private employers on traditional labor issues, including union organizing campaigns and collective bargaining. She has experience handling arbitrations and representing employers before the National Labor Relations Board and state labor boards.

Peter W. Hennessey

Mr. Hennessey is an experienced corporate and securities attorney who represents public and private companies, investment banks, and venture capital firms in capital markets transactions. He handles IPOs, follow-on, and secondary equity offerings, as well as investment-grade, high-yield, and convertible debt offerings.

Mr. Hennessey also represents public and private companies in general corporate and securities law matters, Sarbanes-Oxley compliance, and exchange-listing standards. He advises private companies and venture capital firms in preferred stock financings and represents buyers and sellers in strategic M&A transactions.

Bruce F. Johnson

Mr. Johnson focuses on real estate and commercial finance and investment transactions, and on the development and financing of energy generation and transmission projects.

On the real estate side, he advises lenders and borrowers in the origination of balance sheet, CMBS, acquisition, construction, revolving, leasehold, and mezzanine loans. He handles note sales, loan participations, and loan syndications and represents special servicers and portfolio lenders in distressed assets workouts.

In the energy sector, he represents developers, investors, and lenders in transactions involving energy generation and transmission projects, including solar, wind, biomass, geothermal, and other types of renewable energy facilities.