Katie Ball, who was director of Lateral Recruiting and Integration at the law firm Ballard Spahr LLP, has been appointed associate dean for career strategies at Drexel University’s Thomas R. Kline School of Law effective July 8.
Ball leads the Career Strategies Office (CSO) and brings to the role her knowledge as a legal practitioner as well as in-depth experience hiring and recruiting lawyers. Before her career in recruiting, she was a practicing lawyer at an Am Law 25 firm in Philadelphia for nearly 10 years.
“The law school is relatively young but has made great strides since entering the market. I’m incredibly excited to build on a solid foundation, and continue helping students and graduates launch their careers,” said Ball.
Even in a strong economy, with a multitude of opportunities for legal professionals in almost every area, there are inherent challenges in the recruitment landscape.
“Helping students determine where they want to start their career remains crucial,” said Ball. “Matching candidates with the right job is our overarching mission.”
To this end, Ball is focused on the key areas where the CSO can really make a difference, such as fostering relationships with employers in a variety of areas and helping to connect them with students. Another core aspect of the CSO’s mission is to prepare students for the professional arena—beginning at orientation. This includes everything from helping them write resumes and prepare for interviews to helping them discover which career path will mesh with their interests and sensibilities.
Ball says the CSO stands out from the typical career office at other law schools. “We have an open door policy where students are welcome to seek our guidance, stop by with any questions or just to grab a coffee and a snack. It’s a very approachable office, really just a warm, inviting environment.”
Dean Daniel Filler concurs with Ball’s assessment that the CSO is distinguished by its “deep bench” and believes her arrival has further boosted its standing.
“We are very pleased to welcome Katie to the community. She is a seasoned pro, and I have no doubt she will fortify the school’s already strong professional development infrastructure.”
Ball is active in the National Association for Law Placement (NALP), and is a former head of Legal Recruitment Administrators of Philadelphia (LRAP), a local consortium of law firm recruiters.
Ball received a BA in journalism from the University of Texas and a JD from Temple University Beasley School of Law. She went on to clerk for a judge in New Jersey, and then entered private practice.