Katy Ballard

Katy joined the Mueller Law firm in August 2011 as a client advocate working on the transvaginal surgical mesh lawsuits. She was born and raised in the immediate Hill County of Austin and attended Dripping Springs schools. After graduating high school in 2004, she moved to Columbia, Missouri to attend the University of Missouri where she graduated with a Bachelor of Journalism with an emphasis on magazine editing and writing from the renowned School of Journalism.

She had the opportunity to study journalism abroad in 2007 while attending the University of Hong Kong. She interned for an entertainment and culture magazine, JUICE, during the week and attended classes once a week. During the six months she lived in Hong Kong, she was able to travel to Thailand and Beijing, which have further influenced her love for travel and education.

In 2008, she moved back to Austin and began working at the Austin American-Statesman as an editorial assistant. Throughout the next three years at the newspaper, Katy gained professional experience as an entertainment and profile writer, and assisted on several community-driven projects such as the “Season for Caring” series. This yearly series profiles several Austin families in need of help. Readers donate goods after learning about the families and their hardships. Katy remains connected to one of the families she profiled, as she spent many days and hours learning their story.

Katy also has a strong love for yoga, which has influenced her personal development and spirituality. She’s been a regular practitioner since January 2009 when her mother introduced her to the discipline. She was inspired to become a teacher, and during the summer of 2010, she spent three months training with American Power Yoga and Black Swan Yoga to become certified at the 200-hour level. She began teaching in March 2011 at the University of Texas and a new donation studio, Be Yoga. Katy believes yoga is the practice of life and is applicable in every facet of daily living.

When Katy is not practicing yoga or working, she simply enjoys creating in whatever form imaginable. She uses recycled goods to make art and is starting a new collaborative project with a local vintage store. She also really enjoys spending time with friends and family, and listening to or watching live music.