JD Journal » managing partner

Election of Deborah Read at Thompson Hine as Managing Partner Puts Her in Small Circle of Women at Top of Major Law Firms

rebneely — Mon, 19 Dec 2011 21:16:26 +0000

In recent days, Thompson Hine LLP, a leading national law firm, announced that Deborah Z. Read has been elected as the firm’s managing partner, making her one of only a few major law firms with a woman at the top.

Read will succeed David J. Hooker on May 1, 2012. Hooker has served as managing partner since 1997, and will continue to be an active partner in the firm.

Read has been an integral part of building the firm and setting its strategic priorities. As managing partner she will utilize her leadership experience within the firm as a member of its Executive Committee for the last eleven years.

In addition, Read, for the past six years, has served as Thompson Hine’s firmwide hiring partner. In this capacity, she oversaw all group and individual lawyer hiring and created a unique hiring and integration program. As a result of these efforts, the firm was listed as one of the top four firms with fewer than 500 lawyers for lateral partner satisfaction and integration in a survey conducted by leading consulting group Major, Lindsey & Africa. During Read’s tenure as hiring partner, the firm’s lateral partner program increased in size by 49 percent.

Read’s management experience extends to all areas of the firm. She served as chair of the firm’s Tax, Benefits and Planning practice and its Lawyer Personnel Committee, a firmwide committee then responsible for compensation and career development for all non-partner lawyers. In addition, she worked to ensure implementation of the firm’s first parental leave policy, which is non-gender-specific, and in the 1990s, when technology supporting offsite work was less prevalent, she established an onsite Saturday childcare program for firm lawyers and staff. She was also involved in the formation of Thompson Hine’s Spotlight on Women® program, the firms award-winning national women’s initiative.

Read was quoted as saying: “It’s an honor to take on the role of managing partner. We have a very talented group of lawyers with whom I am privileged to work. I look forward to building on the firms strong foundation of client service and developing ways that we can continue to innovate how we deliver our services to provide the maximum value for our clients. Thompson Hine is an excellent firm with a long history, and we will continue to add lawyers that complement our existing expertise and enhance our geographic presence.”

Read has received numerous, prestigious awards, including the 2010 Northeast Ohio ATHENA award, presented annually by ATHENA International to people who assist women in realizing their leadership potential, show excellence in their business or profession, and have devoted time and energy to their communities. She is also the recipient of the 2006 YWCA Career Women of Achievement award, the 2006 Rainmakers Award (Northern Ohio Live), the 2001 Kaleidoscope Magazine Woman Who Gives Back award and the1988 United WayVolunteer of the Year award.

Read concentrates her practice on corporate structure and restructuring for nonprofit organizations, and tax and corporate planning for nonprofit organizations, foundations and health care organizations. She advises leading foundations and nonprofit organizations. Read also serves as a volunteer adviser to a variety of charities and organizations that make up Business Volunteers Unlimited, providing them with guidance and evaluation of their legal issues. Read is listed in The Best Lawyers in America.

Read’s has long been dedicated to serving the community. Organizations to which she has contributed include United Way Services, the Martha Holden Jennings Foundation, and the Health and Caring for All Vision Council, among others.

Established in 1911, Thompson Hine is a business law firm dedicated to providing superior client service.

New Leadership at Chadbourne & Parke

joshua — Thu, 02 Dec 2010 00:51:20 +0000

Effective today, Andrew Giaccia will take over leadership of Chadbourne & Parke from Charles O’Neill, who has served as managing partner since 1998. Giaccia has been the managing partner of the firm’s Washington DC office and served as the firm’s executive partner. Giaccia was awarded the new position in an uncontested vote of the firm’s management committee shortly before Thanksgiving.

After over a decade under O’Neill’s stewardship, Chadbourne & Parke boasts a wide range of new international offices and clientele. From Mexico City to Kazakhstan, O’Neill oversaw growth, often through the absorption of law firms and offices facing internal troubles. He will remain with the firm as a partner and continue to focus on international expansion

Chadbourne & Parke LLP, an international law firm headquartered in New York City, provides a full range of legal services, including mergers and acquisitions, securities, project finance, private funds, corporate finance, and venture capital. The firm has offices in New York, Washington, DC, Los Angeles, Mexico City, São Paulo, London, Moscow, St. Petersburg, Warsaw, Kyiv, Almaty, Dubai and Beijing.

Ruden McClosky Names its New Managing Partner

marvins — Wed, 01 Dec 2010 18:23:50 +0000

After the recent real estate crash and economic downturn, Florida law firm Ruden McClosky will soon employ a new managing partner starting January 1, 2011 according to “The Daily Business Review,” the firm’s sibling publication.

Reports revealed that the current Ruden McClosky president and CEO Carl Schuster, an estate-planning partner in Fort Lauderdale, will now share the leadership seat with Michael Krul, his new second-in-command partner. Krul has chaired the firm’s corporate and finance practice for more than 20 years. He will co-manage the firm in 2011 with Schuster, who is slated to step down permanently from his present post and will return to his trusts and estate practice come 2012.

The reports also disclosed that Ruden McClosky has been under major changes in the recent months. The firm has implemented layoffs and instituted an 18% across-the-board pay cut to stay afloat during the economic upheaval. The firm has 85 lawyers presently, from nearly 200 lawyers, after losing more than 50 partners and offices in Sarasota and St. Petersburg to its competitors. Some partners left the firm at the end of 2009 when they were asked to sign personal guarantees to secure the firm’s line of credit.

Krul remained positive despite the firm’s set backs. “We’re stronger and leaner heading into 2011. We will make budget. We’re doing fine; we’re poised to grow. A new management committee will be chosen in another partner election in December. The firm is even looking to start hiring again, looking for three senior associates to add to its depleted attorney roster,” Krul said.

Morgan Lewis Will Stay With Lockstep

joshua — Wed, 10 Nov 2010 15:41:15 +0000

Almost a year and a half after announcing plans to move away from lockstep compensation and implement a merit-based pay system for its associates, Morgan, Lewis & Bockius has decided to keep things the same.

Associated were informed via videoconference by firm chairman Francis Milone they will receive base salaries in 2011 equal to the prevailing market rate for their class year. In addition, the firm will maintain its bonus pool, payments which have always been merit-based.

In the article at amlawdaily.com, Charles Engros, Jr., Morgan Lewis managing partner for personnel was quoted as saying: “In talking to associates and clients and partners, we concluded that it really was going to be potentially disruptive and not really help us achieve what we wanted to achieve any more than making some tweaks…to our current system.”

Associates were confused about whether they would be in direct competition for advancement. As well, there were concerns that peer cooperation could be compromised, per Engros. He also noted that clients did not have a preference for either method of compensation.

It’s likely that maintaining the lockstep method is reassuring for some associates.

In addition to the lockstep announcement, the firm said it is creating a new “career track” for some lawyers which will enable the firm to retain associates that began on the partner track but will not make partner. Engros said the firm hasn’t yet determined how large the class of “career track” associates will be.

Morning Roundup

joshua — Thu, 21 Oct 2010 22:59:20 +0000

Good morning everybody! Today is Friday, October 22nd. Here’s a quick look back at yesterday’s stories.

UK-based Simmons & Simmons, which cut off merger talks with U.S.-based Mayer Brown this summer, is still considering entering the U.S. market through a merger with a U.S. firm…

The partnership of Jones Walker re-elected William H. Hines as managing partner of the firm…

Schiff Hardin added three attorneys to its environmental practice…

Tracy E. Miller, a prominent health care lawyer, joined Cadwalader, Wickersham & Taft LLP…

Greenberg Traurig Attorney Nelson Migdal will lead distressed hotel symposium…

Eversheds was named Europe’s ‘Most Innovative’ law firm…

Jones Walker Re-Elects William H. Hines as Managing Partner

joshua — Thu, 21 Oct 2010 20:48:25 +0000

The partnership of Jones Walker has re-elected William H. Hines as managing partner of the firm. Hines will serve a second consecutive five-year term as managing partner, effective Jan. 1 and ending December 31, 2015.

Under Hines’ leadership, Jones Walker has grown from approximately 200 attorneys and 6 offices in 2006 to 300 attorneys in 11 offices in 5 states and the District of Columbia today, the firm said in a press release. Hines led the expansion largely through several mergers, which included with Alabama’s Miller, Hamilton, Snider & Odom in 2008, Louisiana’s Longman Russo in 2009 and Alabama’s Walston Wells & Birchall earlier this year.

“It is truly an honor to be re-elected Managing Partner of Jones Walker,” said Mr. Hines. “The past five years have been remarkable for our firm, and, thanks to the hard work and dedication of our attorneys and staff, we fully expect our growth and success to continue.”

In addition, Jones Walker said that Hines, who was at the forefront of New Orleans’ reconstruction following Hurricane Katrina, was named by New Orleans CityBusiness as one of the city’s 30 most influential people involved in economic development.

McCarter & English Names New Managing Partner

joshua — Mon, 23 Aug 2010 17:53:19 +0000

Stephen M. Vajtay Jr., a partner at McCarter & English for 19 years, has been elected managing partner of the firm by its executive committee. Vajtay will replace Eric W. Wiechmann as McCarter & English’s managing partner on Dec. 1.

Vatjay, a member of the firm’s executive and compensation committees, has practiced at McCarter & English for 27 years. His practice concentrated in transactional federal tax and business planning matters.

Michael P. Kelly, chairman of McCarter & English, commented on the appointment in a press release.

“Steve is one of the most honorable and selfless human beings I know, and his dedication to the firm is contagious,” Kelly said. “I am confident that he will continue the superb jobs Eric Wiechmann has done in managing the firm’s growth and excellence in every practice area.”

Weichmann will resume his civil litigation practice after handing over the reins.

McCarter & English has 400 attorneys in offices in Boston, Hartford, New York, Newark, Philadelphia, Stamford and Wilmington.

Sidley Austin Names New Managing Partner in San Francisco

joshua — Tue, 06 Jul 2010 18:32:59 +0000

Sidley Austin LLP announced that Sharon R. Flanagan, a partner in the firm’s corporate practice, has been appointed managing partner of the firm’s San Francisco office. Flanagan succeeds Paul Pringle, a capital markets partner, who served as the office’s Managing Partner since 2003.

Flanagan’s corporate practice includes mergers & acquisitions, securities offerings and corporate governance matters. She has worked on major transactions for clients such as eBay, Genentech and KKR Financial.

Many of Flanagan’s recent deals have been cross-border transactions involving companies in Asia and the E.U. Flanagan had been the hiring partner for the Sidley Austin’s San Francisco office since 2004.

“Sharon played a central role in the strategic planning and implementation of the opening of Sidley’s Palo Alto office in late 2009,” said Anne E. Rea, the member of Sidley’s Management Committee responsible for its West Coast offices. “As Managing Partner of the San Francisco office, Sharon will continue Sidley’s expansion in Northern California.

Sidley Austin LLP is one of the world’s largest full-service law firms, with approximately 1,700 lawyers practicing in 17 U.S. and international cities.

Kaye Scholer Announces Leadership Shuffle

sara — Wed, 17 Feb 2010 14:34:38 +0000

Kaye Scholer announced last week that Chicago-based restructuring lawyer Michael Solow will become Co-Managing partner of the firm with Barry Willner, the current and long time managing partner. Stephen Gliatta (Co-Chair of the firm’s Real Estate Department), Solow and Willner will serve as Co-Chairs of the firm’s Executive Committee. The three attorneys have worked together as members of the Executive Committee for many years.

Gliatta focuses his practice on representing banks, investment banks and other institutional lenders in aspects of real estate finance and investment. He earned a B.S. from Fordham University and his law degree from New York University School of law. Solow represents creditors, trustees, governmental agencies and other parties in bankruptcy and insolvency cases. He earned his B.A. from the University of Illinois and his law degree from Harvard Law. Willner has been a member of Kaye Scholer’s Executive Committee since 1996 and has served in various leadership roles. He focuses his practice on complex commercial litigation. He earned his B.A. from Lafayette College and his law degree from Georgetown University.

Founded in 1917 in New York City, Kaye Scholer is a global law firm with offices in Chicago, Frankfurt, London, Los Angeles, New York, Shanghai, Washington, D.C. and West Palm Beach.

Saul Ewing Re-elects Managing Partner

sara — Fri, 22 Jan 2010 17:55:09 +0000

David Antzis has been re-elected for a second four year term as managing partner at Saul Ewing, effective immediately. In this position Antzis serves as the firms’ CEO. During Antzis tenure Saul Ewing listed growth in Washington from the November 2006 acquisition of 20-lawyer Schmeltzer Aptaker & Shephard and the addition of 7 more lawyers to the office in 2008. He is credited with adding five Reed Smith lawyers to the Princeton, NJ office in 2008, adding 10 lawyers to the firm’s life sciences and intellectual property practice and adding 7 lawyers from Buchanan Ingersoll in Wilmington in 2009.

Antzis joined Saul Ewing straight out of Penn Law in 1978. He represents various midmarket clients in transactions, finance and general business matters. He succeeded chairman Stephen Aichele.

Saul Ewing was founded in 1921 and has approximately 250 attorneys. The firm is headquartered in Philadelphia and has regional offices in Baltimore, Harrisburg, Newark, New York City, Princeton, Washington, and D.C., Chesterbrook, PA and Wilmington, DE.

Mischon de Reya Goes International with New Office

joshua — Tue, 19 Jan 2010 19:13:01 +0000

London-based firm Mischon de Reya opened the doors to its first international office in New York City Tuesday. James McGuire will serve as managing partner of the new office and oversee a staff of 15.

“Opening our first international office in one of the major financial centres of the world is an exciting opportunity for both our business and for our clients, said Kevin Gold, managing partner of Mischcon de Reya. “It is also timely. There has been a rise in the level of regulation globally. A presence in two of the world’s leading financial centres is exactly what clients of the expanded firm need. ”

McGuire previously was a founding partner of Sheppard Mullin Richter & Hampton’s New York office and formerly was a partner at international firm White & Case.

Bowditch & Dewey Gets New Managing Partner

joshua — Tue, 12 Jan 2010 18:36:01 +0000

James D. Hanrahan has been named managing partner of Bowditch & Dewey, a New England-based law firm with offices in Massachusetts and New Hampshire.

Hanrahan previously served as Firm Administrative Manager since 2001 for the company’s office in Framingham, Mass. His practice entails land use planning, permitting and commercial and retail leasing, the company said in a press release.

Bowditch & Dewey was established in 1914 and employs more than 60 lawyers.

Becker & Poliakoff Opens New Jersey Office

Erik Even — Thu, 09 Jul 2009 17:45:49 +0000

Becker & Poliakoff has launched a new office in Red Bank, New Jersey.

Robert I. Rabinowitz will be managing partner of the new office. He is part of the firm’s corporate and securities law group, specializing in broker-dealer, investment advisory and securities arbitration. Rabinowitz joined the firm in February.

Also, Becker & Poliakoff announced today that commercial and residential real estate attorney Michael J. Romer has joined the firm as a partner, managing Becker & Poliakoff’s real estate and banking law practice in the New York area.

Becker & Poliakoff is a commercial law firm with more than 120 attorneys in 13 Florida offices, New York City, New Jersey, Nassau, Bahamas, and Prague.

BuckleySandler Adds More Lawyers

Erik Even — Wed, 24 Jun 2009 18:56:38 +0000

BuckleySandler, founded in March when two Skadden partners left the firm’s Washington DC office, has grown to 55 lawyers with the addition of two lawyers.

Stephen Ambrose Jr. joins from GE Capital, where he was general counsel of the consumer finance unit. He will be managing partner of the firm’s new New York office. He earned his JD at Fordham University Law School, where he served as Editor of the Fordham Law Review.

Robert Cook joins as of counsel from Countrywide Financial, where he was deputy general counsel. He was previously special counsel at the Federal Reserve Board.

BuckleySandler is headquartered in Washington DC, with offices in New York and Los Angeles. It represents clients in the financial services industry, such as banks, mortgage lenders, and credit card companies.

Taylor Wessings Managing Partner, Michael Frawley, To Step Down in August ’09

todd — Tue, 03 Feb 2009 19:15:34 +0000

Michael Frawley, managing partner of Taylor Wessing, has announced that he will step down from the position in August of 2009, when his term expires.

Elections for a new managing partner will take place in March.

Frawley will return to being a partner in the insolvency group.

His replacement will likely come from members in the new divisional director positions, which were created when Frawley cut the firm’s UK management team.

The divisional directors on the firm include finance partner Rodney Dukes, private equity partner Tim Eyles, and IP partner Charles Lloyd. These three will be on the international management board with Frawley.

HR director Jonathan Croucher has become practice director, which is a double role, consisting of chief operating officer and HR director.

Wessing has re-elected its senior partner Martin Winter to serve another three-years.

Winter said, “[Frawley] has done a great job. In this rapidly changing market five years is a long time in the life of a law firm… with 270 partners, 1,300 in staff, and 12 offices in six jurisdictions the firm is a very different entity from 2004 when Michael took over. He has played an outstanding role in achieving these developments.