Ballard elected to leadership role for SBM Probate and Estate Planning Section

Varnum attorney Chris Ballard was recently named Chair-Elect of the Probate and Estate Planning Section of the State Bar of Michigan.

Ballard, who works in the firm’s Ann Arbor office, focuses his practice on estate planning, trust administration, business planning, taxation and nonprofit organizations. He frequently counsels clients on fiduciary, international and partnership tax matters.

Ballard has been active in the SBM Probate and Estate Planning Section for many years, including serving as organizer/director of this year’s ICLE Probate Institute. The institute is traditionally the largest CLE course in the state, drawing almost 700 attendees this year.

Ballard is a Fellow of the American College of Trust and Estate Counsel and has an AV Preeminent rating – the highest possible – from Martindale Hubbell. Best Lawyers recently named him Ann Arbor Lawyer of the Year: Trusts and Estates, and Super Lawyers has named him to the Top 50 Michigan Consumer Lawyers.

In addition to his professional activity, Ballard is active in the community serving as a legal officer for the Civil Air Patrol and on the Board of Directors for FIRST Michigan.