La Barge Rejoins Ballard Spahr

Joseph W. La Barge, the former vice president, general counsel and chief compliance officer at Tengion, a publicly traded biotechnology company, has rejoined Ballard Spahr’s business and finance department. La Barge, of counsel, will focus on the representation of clients in the technology, biotechnology, and pharmaceutical industries. He handles mergers and acquisitions and capital raising activities, and drafts and negotiates licensing, research, collaboration, and manufacturing agreements.

PRESS RELEASE

Joseph W. La Barge, the former Vice President, General Counsel, and Chief Compliance Officer at Tengion, Inc., a publicly traded biotechnology company, has rejoined Ballard Spahr’s Business and Finance Department.

Mr. La Barge, of counsel, will focus on the representation of clients in the technology, biotechnology, and pharmaceutical industries. He handles mergers and acquisitions and capital raising activities, and he drafts and negotiates licensing, research, collaboration, and manufacturing agreements. Mr. La Barge is a member of the Life Sciences/Technology, Transactional Finance, Securities, and Mergers and Acquisitions/Private Equity Groups.

“Ballard Spahr is well known for the relationships it forges with clients,” said Robert C. Gerlach, Chair of the firm’s Business and Finance Department. “Occasionally, we lose exceptional attorneys to in-house positions. Other times, we gain them. Such is the case with Joe. His experience at Tengion is invaluable and we are thrilled to have him back.”

Mr. La Barge was an associate at Ballard Spahr before becoming Assistant General Counsel at PMA Capital Corporation, where he advised the company on corporate transactions, securities law, and corporate governance issues. At Tengion, he managed legal affairs, compliance, and quality assurance. He also worked alongside scientists to develop strategies for first-in-class, cell-based therapeutics in the regenerative medicine field, and managed the company’s extensive patent portfolio.

“My in-house experience better positions me to support clients in a challenging market,” said Mr. La Barge. “Having been a client, I understand the practical realities of what it takes to grow a business. I look forward to working with the Ballard team and helping them continue serving the industry.”

About Ballard Spahr

Ballard Spahr LLP, a national law firm with more than 500 lawyers in 13 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.