Brandon L. Ballard, Esq.

Brandon L. Ballard, Esq.

Strategic Litigation Attorney

  • Undergraduate: Old Dominion University
    • Bachelor of Science, Political Science and Philosophy
  • Law School: Elon University School of Law
    • Magna Cum Laude

Brandon Lewis Ballard serves as the Strategic Litigation Attorney at the Legal Aid Society of Eastern Virginia, where he is dedicated to representing low-income individuals in complex and impact litigation in both state and federal trial and appellate courts. Mr. Ballard earned his juris doctor, magna cum laude, from Elon University School of Law in December 2019 and also holds a Bachelor of Science in Political Science and Philosophy from Old Dominion University. His practice focuses on a diverse range of legal areas, including housing, fair housing, constitutional law, consumer rights, and bankruptcy law.

Before his current role, Mr. Ballard completed an Equal Justice Works fellowship at the firm, where he spearheaded efforts to dismantle local systemic barriers to maintaining and obtaining affordable and habitable housing, including bringing litigation under the Federal False Claims Act to challenge illegal fees charged by Section 8 landlords.

Mr. Ballard serves on the Housing Enforcement Committee for Housing Opportunities Made Equal (HOME), is the bench-bar chair for the Norfolk Portsmouth Bar Association, and is a member of the Hampton Roads Federal Bar Association. He also serves on legal aid statewide taskforce groups, including the legal aid appellate taskforce. Finally, Mr. Ballard frequently collaborates with other legal aids and state and national groups. He has co-counseled on appeals with other legal aid attorneys and has authored or co-authored amicus briefs at the appellate level on behalf of organizations such as the National Housing Law Project.

Mr. Ballard is admitted to practice in Virginia, the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia, the United States Bankruptcy Court for the Eastern District of Virginia, and the United States Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit.

In his spare time, Mr. Ballard enjoys reading; running; playing basketball; and cooking gourmet meals for his wife and chihuahua beagle (June).

Phone: (757) 648-1241

Email: brandonb@laseva.org

Representative Reported Cases*:

  • Mayrant v. Norfolk Redevelopment & Hous. Auth., No. 2:24-cv-715, 2025 WL 2738859 (E.D. Va. Sept. 23, 2025). Fair Housing lawsuit brought against local housing authority for failing to accommodate legally blind tenant’s accommodation. Court found housing authority liable and entered permanent injunction; case still pending in order to ascertain damages and attorney’s fees.
  • United States of America, ex. rel. Felicia Cost v. American Homes of Eastern Va. et. al. (E.D. Va. Oct. 18, 2024). False Claims Act action brought against regional landlord and management company. Resulted in favorable settlement.
  • Minnesota Life Ins. Co. v. Alexander, 694 F. Supp. 3d 733 (E.D. Va. 2023). Interpleader dispute over life insurance proceeds, resulting in six published decisions. Case resulted in favorable settlement, with client receiving $34,200.00.
  • Moore v. Joe, 76 Va. App. 509, 882 S.E.2d 534 (2023). Secured decision that clarified the high constitutional standard non-parents must meet in order to obtain custody of, or visitation with, a child over the parents’ objection. Court held that past history of housing instability, illicit drug use, and poverty alone is insufficient.
  • Portsmouth Redevelopment and Housing Authority v. Lightfoot, No. CL 22-4753, 2023 WL 7418797 (Va.Cir.Ct. Sep. 20, 2023). Unlawful detainer jury trial dismissed on eve of trial. On issue of first impression, court held it lacked jurisdiction because landlord failed to comply with Va. Code § 55.1-1204(H) before filing eviction action.

Selected Publication:

  • Brandon L. Ballard, The Underenforcement of Disabled Tenants’ Rights in Virginia’s Eviction Process, Equal Justice Works Blog (Apr. 18, 2023), http://bit.ly/3vYVA5j.

Accolades:

  • Recognized as a 2026 Rising Star by Super Lawyers, an honor afforded only 2.5% of young lawyers in Virginia.
  • Selected for inclusion on Virginia Business’ 2025 Legal Elite for its Legal Services/Pro Bono Category, an honor afforded only 20 other lawyers in Virginia.

*Past results are not a guarantee of results in a future matter; each case is different.

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