Perkins Coie Elects John Devaney as New Managing Partner

July 8, 2014

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The law firm of Perkins Coie announced via a press release that John Devaney has been elected as the new managing partner of the firm. He will take over the position on January 1, 2015. Devaney will succeed Bob Giles, who had been serving as the law firm’s chairman since 1986. He announced three years ago that he planned to step down from the position when 2014 came to an end. Devaney has also worked on the Executive and Management Committees. Devaney has also served as the Office Managing Partner for the Washington, D.C. office.

“It’s an honor and a privilege to have this great opportunity,” Devaney said, according to the press release. “I am very proud to follow in the footsteps of a managing partner like Bob Giles and the many very talented attorneys who have led the firm since its founding in 1912. We are at a very exciting time in the history of Perkins Coie – and the legal profession – and I look forward to continuing Perkins Coie’s transformation into a premier national law firm. One of my key initiatives will be to continue our selective growth strategy – in terms of attorney numbers, practices, profits and geographic reach – while remaining true to our commitment to innovation and excellence.”

Giles said the following in the release about Devaney taking over the position: “It has been an incredible experience over the past 28 years to serve as Perkins Coie’s Managing Partner and to help guide the firm through so many challenges and opportunities. We are very excited about this new chapter in the firm’s life and we all look forward to continued growth and success under John’s able leadership. His enormous talent, energy, and enthusiasm, together with his already deep experience as a leader at the firm, will help us achieve many of the important goals we have set for the firm, including continuing to provide the very best representation to our clients across the nation.”

Devaney joined the firm in 1988 and his practice focuses on commercial litigation, communications law and political law litigation. Devaney earned his B.A. from Boston College and his law degree from The Catholic University of America Columbus School of Law. Devaney clerked for the Honorable Justices Gallagher, Pair, Reilly and Yeagley at the District of Columbia Court of Appeals. Devaney has also worked for the United States Department of Justice.