Brian D. Short—a securities and M&A attorney with more than 20 years of experience advising companies in corporate transactions—has joined Ballard Spahr as a Partner, firm Chair Mark Stewart announced today. Mr. Short will be Co-Leader of the firm’s Securities and Capital Markets practice, along with Gerald G. Guarcini.

Mr. Short represents companies, private equity firms, and investment banks in a range of corporate transactions, such as negotiating and executing public and private securities offerings, mergers and acquisitions, strategic alliances, and joint ventures. He has worked with clients in a range of industries, including life sciences, technology, aerospace and defense, business and financial services, and consumer products.

“Brian brings exceptional skill, deep industry experience, and an in-house perspective to the team,” said Peter Michaud, Chair of the firm’s Business and Transactions Department. “In response to growing demand from clients, we have focused heavily on expanding our corporate transactional capabilities. Brian is a terrific addition, and I’m thrilled to welcome him.”

Mr. Short joins the firm from CDI Corp.—an international engineering, information technology, and staffing services company—where he served as General Counsel and Chief Administrative Officer and led the NYSE-listed company through a sale to a private equity firm. Before that, he was a partner in the Philadelphia office of Dechert LLP.
 
Mr. Short will be a member of the firm’s Mergers and Acquisitions and Private Equity Groups. His work includes counseling public and privately held companies on corporate governance matters, compliance, and reporting. He also advises investors and companies in capital financings.
 
“Ballard has a longstanding reputation for providing insightful, trusted counsel to clients across a range of industries in the corporate world,” Mr. Short said. “I look forward to expanding the platform and helping clients continue to innovate.”