He previously served as a United States magistrate judge for the same court.

From 1988 to 1991, he worked as an associate at Christian, Barton, Epps, Brent & Chappell in Richmond, Virginia.

[4] In private practice, Ballou specialized in civil litigation, but sometimes accepted personal injury cases.

President Biden nominated Ballou to the seat vacated by Judge James Parker Jones, who assumed senior status on August 30, 2021.

[10] On January 3, 2023, his nomination was returned to the President under Rule XXXI, Paragraph 6 of the United States Senate.