Attorney Intel is pleased to announce the The Top 50 Law Firm Executives of 2022. This year’s awardees may have a number of different official titles, from Chair to Managing Partner, Executive Partner, Senior Partner, and Chief Executive Officer, but what they have in common is the fact that they lead some of the largest, most successful, most influential law firms in the world. These leaders oversee massive, multinational and international firms that serve clients in a myriad of industries, from technology to healthcare, energy, finance, and more. They are tasked with managing a range of practice areas and ensuring that their firms continue to operate smoothly and grow year over year.
The executives on this year’s list took a variety of paths to reach the top of their firm and the pinnacle of their profession. Some have spent their entire careers at the same firm, working their way up from Associate to Senior Associate, to Partner, to Managing Partner. Others began in completely different industries. Some majored in law at university before earning their JD, others started out in fields as varied as engineering and international relations. What is clear is that it is not the background that makes a great law firm executive. It is the dedication to their firm, support of their staff and clients, and ability to see the big picture that have earned this year’s awardees their current position and their spot on this year’s list. Please join us in honoring The Top 50 Law Firm Executives of 2022.
1. Robert Giuffra Jr., Co-Chair (tie)
Sullivan & Cromwell
Robert Giuffra Jr. is a Co-chair and Partner of Sullivan & Cromwell. He first joined the company in 1989. Sullivan & Cromwell LLP provides the highest quality legal advice and representation to clients around the world through a network of 13 offices located in leading financial centers in Asia, Australia, Europe, and the United States, and headquarters in New York. It comprises approximately 875 lawyers. The results they achieve have set them apart for more than 140 years and make them a model for the modern practice of law. Today, S&C is a leader in each of its core practice areas and in each of its geographic markets.
Previously, Giuffra was a President at the Federal Bar Council, and before that, a Chief Counsel at the United States Senate Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs. Earlier in his career, he worked with the United States Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit as a law clerk to Judge Ralph K. Winter. He earned a JD from Yale Law School and an undergraduate degree in Public and International Affairs from Princeton University.
1. Scott Miller, Co-Chair (tie)
Sullivan & Cromwell
Scott Miller is a Co-chair and Partner at Sullivan & Cromwell. Sullivan & Cromwell LLP is an American multinational law firm headquartered in New York City. S&C is recognized as a leader in business law and is known for its impact on international affairs. The firm handles high-profile work such as complex mergers and acquisitions, securities litigation, white-collar defense, and government investigations. S&C’s success is the result of the quality of its lawyers. It hires the very best law school graduates and trains them to be generalists within broad practice areas, and the firm promotes lawyers to partner almost entirely from among its own associates. The result is a partnership with a unique diversity of experience, exceptional professional judgment, and a demonstrated history of innovation. It is one of the most profitable law firms in the world, with 2020 profits per partner exceeding $5 million.
Miller has nearly 37 years of experience in the legal industry and began his career in 1985. Before joining Sullivan & Cromwell, he was a law clerk under The Honorable William A. Norris. He graduated from Columbia Law School with a JD and from Arizona State University with an undergraduate degree in Engineering.
2. Alden Millard, Chair of the Executive Committee
Simpson Thacher & Bartlett
Alden Millard is the Chair of the Executive Committee and a Partner at Simpson Thacher & Bartlett. Simpson Thacher & Bartlett LLP is one of the world’s leading international law firms. Since 1884, many of the world’s leading and most innovative companies—from finance to philanthropy and from Fortune 500 to high-tech startups—have come to Simpson Thacher for trusted counsel. Headquartered in New York with offices in 11 offices worldwide, the firm specializes in a variety of areas in both litigation and corporate practices, with a focus on mergers and acquisitions. Simpson Thacher & Bartlett consistently ranks among the world’s leading law firms in a wide variety of publications—including Chambers, Bloomberg, Refinitiv, The Legal 500, IFLR, and American Lawyer.
Millard began his professional career over 26 years ago. He graduated from Columbia Law School with a JD and from Harvard University with an undergraduate degree.
3. Jon A. Ballis, Chairman
Kirkland & Ellis
Jon A. Ballis is the Chairman of the Kirkland & Ellis Executive Committee. Founded in 1909 in Chicago, Illinois, Kirkland & Ellis is the largest law firm in the world by revenue, the seventh-largest by number of attorneys, and is the first law firm in the world to reach $4 billion in revenue. As of 2021, K&E ranks third on Am Law's list of profits per equity partner. With offices in 18 cities across the United States, Europe, and Asia, their reputation for excellence is recognized worldwide. K&E believes in teamwork fueled by creative solutions, and they are dedicated to providing their clients with superior results.
Ballis got his start as an Associate and then Partner at Sidley Austin. He received his JD cum laude from Harvard Law School in 1994 and his Bachelor of Arts in Government & International Relations with High Honors from Lehigh University in 1991.
4. Eric J. Friedman, Executive Partner
Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom
Eric J. Friedman is the Executive Partner of Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP and Affiliates. The firm delivers the highest quality advice and novel solutions to legal challenges, enabling clients to achieve their business goals. They are known for the innovative and creative thinking they rely on to handle the most complex transactions, litigation/controversy issues, and regulatory matters, as well as the open, collaborative relationships they build with clients, including corporations; financial and governmental entities; small, entrepreneurial companies; and cultural, educational, and charitable institutions. Their attorneys, who reflect diverse backgrounds and perspectives, collaborate seamlessly across their 21 offices in the world’s major financial centers.
Friedman has 31 years of experience in the legal industry and began his career in 1991. He graduated from the University of Pennsylvania Law School with a JD and from the University of Michigan with an undergraduate degree in Business Administration.
5. David C. Djaha, Managing Partner
Ropes & Gray
David C. Djaha began his professional career 28 years ago. Today, he is the Managing Partner of Ropes & Gray. Ropes & Gray is a leading global law firm with 11 offices located in the United States, Asia, and Europe. Built on a foundation of more than 150 years of dedication to forging strong client relationships, Ropes & Gray represents interests across a broad spectrum of industries in corporate law and litigation matters. In addition, the firm offers counsel on labor and employment issues, tax and benefits, creditors' rights, and private client services. Their clients range in size from large to small companies and include financial institutions, government agencies, hospitals and health care organizations, colleges and universities, and families and individuals. Approximately 1,400 lawyers and professionals strive to provide the highest-quality legal advice available.
Djaha first got his start in 1994 as a partner at Clifford Chance US LLP. He graduated from Brooklyn Law School with a JD, and from the University at Buffalo with an undergraduate degree in Communications.
6. John B. Quinn, Founder and Managing Partner
Quinn Emanuel Urquhart & Sullivan
John B. Quinn is the Managing Partner of Quinn Emanuel Urquhart & Sullivan LLP, which he founded in 1986. Headquartered in Los Angeles, California, Quinn Emanuel is a 900+ lawyer business litigation firm with 29 offices around the globe—the largest in the world devoted solely to business litigation and arbitration. Their lawyers have tried over 2,300 cases and won 88% of them. When they represent defendants, their trial experience gets them better settlements or defense verdicts. Quinn Emanuel’s lawyers have won over $70 billion in judgments and settlements when representing plaintiffs. They have also obtained five 9-figure jury verdicts, forty-three 9-figure settlements, and nineteen 10-figure settlements.
Quinn earned a JD from Harvard Law School and an undergraduate degree in History from Claremont McKenna College.
7. Barbara Becker, Chair and Managing Partner
Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher
Barbara Becker is the Chair and Managing Partner of Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher LLP. Gibson Dunn is a leading international law firm that advises clients on significant transactions and disputes around the world. Known for excellence in the practice of law, Gibson Dunn consistently ranks among the world’s top law firms in industry surveys and major publications. The firm is distinctively positioned in today’s global marketplace with more than 1,700 lawyers in 20 offices on 5 continents. The American Lawyer named Gibson Dunn a Finalist in its 2021 Litigation Department of the Year competition. This award follows the firm’s unprecedented four wins in the biennial competition and is the firm’s seventh consecutive Finalist honor.
Becker has over 21 years of experience in the legal industry and began her career in 2000. She graduated from the New York University School of Law with a JD.
8. Neil Barr, Chair and Managing Partner
Davis Polk & Wardwell
Neil Barr is the Chair and Managing Partner of Davis Polk & Wardwell LLP. Davis Polk is an elite global law firm with world-class practices across the board and is headquartered in New York City. The firm has represented many government clients, including the United States Department of the Treasury and the Federal Reserve Bank of New York, and it has had important roles in the AIG, Freddie Mac, Lehman Brothers, J.P. Morgan & Co., and Citigroup cases, as well as in the drafting of the Dodd–Frank Act. Clients know they can rely on Davis Polk for their most challenging legal and business matters. Almost a thousand lawyers located in 10 offices in the world’s key financial centers and political capitals collaborate seamlessly to deliver exceptional service, sophisticated advice, and creative, practical solutions.
Barr began his professional career 22 years ago. He graduated from Georgetown University Law Center with a JD and from the University of Virginia with an undergraduate degree in Commerce.
9. Susan W. Murley, Co-Managing Partner (tie)
Wilmer Cutler Pickering Hale and Dorr
Susan W. Murley is a Partner in the Corporate Practice Group and Co-Managing Partner of Wilmer Cutler Pickering Hale and Dorr LLP. WilmerHale is a leading, full-service international law firm with 1,000 lawyers located throughout 13 offices in the United States, Europe, and Asia. It is co-headquartered in Washington, D.C. and Boston. The firm’s lawyers work at the intersection of government, technology, and business, and they remain committed to their guiding principles of providing quality, world-class legal and client services, and developing diversity among their lawyers and staff.
Murley first joined the company in 1986 as an attorney and member of the Executive Committee. She earned a JD from the University of Virginia School of Law and an undergraduate degree from Tufts University.
9. Robert T. Novick, Co-Managing Partner (tie)
Wilmer Cutler Pickering Hale and Dorr
Robert T. Novick is the Co-Managing Partner of Wilmer Cutler Pickering Hale and Dorr. WilmerHale is an American law firm with offices in the United States, Europe, and Asia and is co-headquartered in Washington, D.C. and Boston. WilmerHale provides legal representation across a comprehensive range of practice areas that are critical to the success of their clients. The firm was formed in 2004 through the merger of the firms Hale and Dorr, and Wilmer Cutler & Pickering. Since the earliest days of the two legacy firms, WilmerHale has played a leadership role in historic events and landmark cases that have shaped the nation and left their mark across the globe. WilmerHale maintains a steadfast commitment to pro bono representation and public service and believes in an inherent obligation to ensure equal access to justice for underserved communities around the world.
Before joining Wilmer Cutler Pickering Hale and Dorr, Novick was a General Counsel at the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative, Executive Office of the President. He graduated from American University, Washington College of Law with a JD and from Bucknell University with an undergraduate degree.
10. Scott A. Edelman, Partner and Chairman
Milbank
Scott A. Edelman is a Partner and Chairman of Milbank LLP. Milbank is a premier international law firm handling high-profile, complex cases and business transactions through 12 offices worldwide. Its offices work together on an integrated basis, giving the firm an extraordinary global presence and allowing it to serve a client base that includes the world's leading companies and financial institutions. Milbank is internationally recognized as a leader in major corporate/finance transactions (such as M&A, structured finance, banking, capital markets, and project and transportation finance), litigation (including complex commercial, intellectual property, securities, and white-collar), financial restructuring, and trusts and estates. For over 150 years, Milbank’s lawyers have been recognized for applying sophisticated, cutting-edge thinking to groundbreaking legal matters worldwide. From The American Lawyer to Chambers, Legal 500, Project Finance International, and Benchmark Litigation, Milbank’s work earns attention and accolades.
Edelman joined Milbank in 1994 and was named Partner in 1995. He began his career at Wachtell, Lipton, Rosen & Katz. He received his JD from Harvard Law School and his Bachelor of Arts (summa cum laude) and Master of Arts, both in Economics, from Yale University.
11. Brad S. Karp, Chairman
Paul, Weiss, Rifkind, Wharton & Garrison
Brad S. Karp is the Chairman of Paul, Weiss, Rifkind, Wharton & Garrison LLP. Paul Weiss is a firm of about 1,000 lawyers with diverse backgrounds, personalities, ideas, and interests who provide innovative and effective solutions to our client's most complex legal and business challenges. The firm represents many of the world’s largest and most important public and private corporations, asset managers, and financial institutions, and clients in need of pro bono assistance. Its core practice areas are in litigation and corporate law. In addition to its headquarters in New York, the firm has offices in Washington, D.C.; Wilmington, Delaware; Toronto; London; Tokyo; Beijing; and Hong Kong.
Karp has 39 years of experience in the legal industry and began his career in 1983. He graduated from Harvard Law School with a JD and from Union College with an undergraduate degree.
12. Steven M. Ellis, Chairman
Proskauer Rose
Steven M. Ellis is the Chairman, Partner, and Co-Head of the Private Credit Group of Proskauer Rose LLP. Proskauer is an international law firm headquartered in New York City. The firm was founded in 1875 and currently employs more than 800 attorneys in twelve offices worldwide. Proskauer is known for its labor and employment, litigation, corporate, private equity, private investment funds, finance, and intellectual property law departments. Not only does the firm advise on corporate and litigation matters of asset managers, Fortune 500 companies, and entertainment industry legends, but a key aspect of the practice is its leading sports labor and employment service. Proskauer has long been the primary outside law firm for the National Basketball Association (NBA). The firm was one of the first firms to handle sports law as a distinct legal discipline and is now often in the headlines for its sports law group and celebrity clientele. Proskauer is also considered one of America's preeminent employer side labor law firms with specializing in union avoidance, the practice of disrupting and combatting union organizing efforts in their client's workplaces.
Ellis began his professional career over 18 years ago. He graduated from Boston University School of Law with a JD and from Tufts University with an undergraduate degree in Political Science and Government.
13. Barry Wolf, Executive Partner
Weil, Gotshal & Manges
Barry Wolf is the Executive Partner of Weil, Gotshal & Manges LLP. Founded in 1931, Weil has been a preeminent provider of legal services for the past 90 years. With approximately 1,100 lawyers in offices on three continents, Weil has been a pioneer in establishing a geographic footprint that has allowed the firm to partner with clients wherever they do business. The firm’s four departments, Corporate, Litigation, Restructuring, and Tax, Executive Compensation & Benefits, and more than two dozen practice groups are consistently recognized as leaders in their respective fields. With a gross annual revenue in excess of $1.1 billion, it is among the world's largest law firms according to The American Lawyer's AmLaw 100 survey.
Wolf first joined Weil in 1984. He earned a JD from the University of Michigan Law School, an MLL in Taxation from New York University School of Law, and an undergraduate degree in Accounting from The State University of New York.
14. Sherrese M. Smith, Managing Partner
Paul Hastings
Sherrese M. Smith is the Managing Partner of Paul Hastings LLP. Paul Hastings is a global law firm, pre-eminent in cross-border transactions and solving complex legal problems, that represents a client base in finance, M&A, private equity, and litigation. The firm specializes in white-collar and government disputes, energy, infrastructure, and intellectual property. As a multicultural firm, it is committed to ensuring that diversity and equality are a cornerstone of our workplace and communities. Paul Hastings stands firm in the belief that racism, discrimination, and prejudice of any kind have no place in our society. The firm has been ranked on The American Lawyer’s A-List for eleven consecutive years, in 2020 was named Transatlantic Firm of the Year at the British Legal Awards, and in 2021 was named Most Impressive Investigations Practice of the Year at the Global Investigations Review Awards.
Smith has 20 years of experience in the legal industry and began her career in 2002. Before joining Paul Hastings, she was Chief Counsel to Chairman Julius Genachowski at the Federal Communications Commission, and before that a Vice President and General Counsel at Washington Post Digital. She graduated from the Northwestern University Pritzker School of Law with a JD and from the University of South Carolina with an undergraduate degree in Finance.
15. Joseph W. Conroy, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer
Cooley
Joseph W. Conroy is the Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Cooley LLP. Cooley is an American international law firm headquartered in Palo Alto, California with offices in ten U.S. cities as well as London, Shanghai, Beijing, Brussels, and Singapore. The firm's practice areas include corporate, litigation, intellectual property, fund formation, public markets, employment, life sciences, clean technology, real estate, financial services, retail, regulatory, and energy. Cooley is particularly known for its technology and life sciences practices, its experience with marquee initial public offerings (IPOs), and deep-rooted venture capital connections & financings. Cooley represents clients in over a third of the companies on The Wall Street Journal's Billion Dollar Startup Club. It is one of the fifty largest law firms in the world.
Conroy first got his start as a Founder and President at CGC Software. From there, he went on to Hunton & Williams as a Partner in the Business Practice group, his most recent position prior to joining Cooley. He graduated from Boston University School of Law with a JD and from the University of Virginia with an undergraduate degree in Commerce.
16. Arthur G. Armstrong, Executive Director
Debevoise & Plimpton
Arthur G. Armstrong is the Executive Director of Debevoise & Plimpton LLP. He first joined the company in 2007. Founded in 1931 by Harvard Law School alumnus Eli Whitney Debevoise and Oxford-trained William Stevenson, Debevoise is a premier international law firm with market-leading practices, a global perspective, and strong New York roots. Approximately 800 lawyers work in ten offices across three continents, within integrated global practices, serving clients around the world. They deliver effective solutions to their clients’ most important legal challenges, applying clear commercial judgment and a distinctively collaborative approach, and their clients look to them to bring a high degree of quality, intensity, and creativity to resolve legal challenges effectively and cost-efficiently.
Previously, Armstrong was an IT Chief of Staff at McKinsey & Company. He earned a Master in Business Administration from the Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania and an undergraduate degree in Modern Languages from Oxford University.
17. Kim Koopersmith, Chairperson
Akin Gump Strauss Hauer & Feld
Kim Koopersmith is a Partner and the Chairperson of Akin Gump Strauss Hauer & Feld LLP. Akin Gump is a global law firm with more than 1,000 lawyers and advisors who pride themselves on their dedication to their clients and their communities. With 20 offices worldwide, the firm is renowned for numerous market-leading practices; its strengths in complex transactions and restructurings, high-stakes litigation, and public policy and regulatory matters; and its unyielding pro bono commitment. The firm partners with clients from both established industries and cutting-edge markets to deliver creative solutions to business-critical issues, helping them seize opportunities and anticipate challenges. Driven by its forward-thinking leadership, the firm has built a strong culture of innovation and collaboration as well as a talented and diverse workforce committed to the success of its clients and each other. The firm is intentional about fostering a diverse and inclusive workplace where all employees are supported and given the tools to succeed.
Koopersmith was named one of Financial Times’ Innovative Law Firm Leaders in 2020. She graduated from the Fordham University School of Law with a JD and from the University of Pennsylvania with an undergraduate degree.
18. Robert S. Insolia, Chairman
Goodwin Procter
Robert S. Insolia began his professional career over 27 years ago. Today, he is the Chairman of Goodwin Procter LLP. Goodwin is an American multinational law firm headquartered in Boston. It is one of the largest law firms in the world as measured by revenue and consists of more than 1,400 lawyers across offices in America, Europe, and Hong Kong. Goodwin focuses on complex transactional work, high-stakes litigation, and advisory services in matters involving financial institutions, intellectual property, private equity, real estate capital markets, securities litigation, white-collar defense, technology, and life sciences. Goodwin is also committed to promoting diversity in their law firm and in the legal profession.
Insolia first got his start in 1984 as an Associate at Webster & Sheffield. From there, he went on to O'Melveny & Myers LLP as a Partner, his most recent position prior to joining Goodwin. He graduated from the Fordham University School of Law with a JD and from the State University of New York at New Paltz with an undergraduate degree in Political Science and Government.
19. Larry A. Barden, Chair
Sidley Austin
Larry A. Barden is the Chair of the Management Committee of Sidley Austin LLP. Sidley, an international law firm, is currently the eleventh largest U.S.-based corporate law firm, with approximately 2,000 lawyers and annual revenues of more than $2 billion. The firm is one of the highest-paying companies in the U.S. More than 150 years after its founding, Sidley today comprises a diverse group of legal professionals from many cultures who are dedicated to teamwork, collaboration, and superior client service. The firm specializes in a variety of areas in both litigation and corporate practices. It is particularly known for its securities practice and its international trade practice, both of which have consistently ranked first in the respective specialty rankings of Chambers and Partners.
Barden first joined Sidley in 1982 as an Associate. He earned his JD from Washington and Lee University School of Law and an undergraduate degree in Finance from Miami University.
20. Mitchell Zuklie, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer
Orrick, Herrington & Sutcliffe
Mitchell Zuklie is the Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Orrick, Herrington & Sutcliffe LLP. Orrick is a global law firm focused on serving the Technology & Innovation, Energy & Infrastructure, and Finance sectors. Leading companies and new entrants call on their teams in 25+ markets worldwide for forward-looking, pragmatic advice on transactions, litigation, and compliance matters. The firm brings distinctive quality, teamwork, and value to the table, and is especially focused on attracting and inspiring the best legal talent. In 2020, it was named one of Fortune's 100 Best Companies to Work For.
Zuklie has over 25 years of experience in the legal industry and began his career in 1996. Before joining Orrick, he was a partner at Heller Ehrman. Earlier in his career, he worked with Venture Law Group as a Partner. He graduated from the University of California, Berkeley, School of Law with a JD and from Bowdoin College with an undergraduate degree.
21. Thomas P. Fitzgerald, Chairman
Winston & Strawn
Thomas P. Fitzgerald is the Chairman of Winston & Strawn LLP. Winston is an international law firm with more than 900 attorneys in key financial centers around the world. They litigate cases and close transactions by bringing an understanding of the global legal issues their clients face in transactions, disputes, and regulatory/enforcement-related matters. They strive to provide their clients with creative solutions to their business problems—on time and on budget. The firm serves its communities and the public interest, promotes diversity within the firm and throughout the legal profession, and maintains a culture of teamwork and collegiality. Founded in 1853, it is one of the largest and oldest law firms in Chicago.
Thomas P. Fitzgerald has led Winston since 2006, and during his tenure the firm has opened ten additional offices on three continents and significantly expanded its practice offerings. Fitzgerald graduated from the University of Notre Dame with a JD and an undergraduate degree.
22. Robert D. Hays, Chairman
King & Spalding
Robert D. Hays is the Chairman of King & Spalding LLP. Celebrating more than 130 years of service, King & Spalding is an international law firm that represents a broad array of clients, including half of the Fortune Global 100, with 1,200 lawyers in 23 offices in the United States, Europe, the Middle East, and Asia. The firm has helped leading companies advance complex business interests in more than 160 countries on six continents, and is consistently recognized for the results it obtains, uncompromising commitment to quality, and dedication to understanding the business and culture of its clients. For 2020, King & Spalding was the 27th largest law firm by revenue in the world. It is an Am Law 100 and Global 30 firm.
Hays first joined King & Spalding in 2005. He earned a JD from Vanderbilt University and an undergraduate degree from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.
23. Douglas J. Clark, Managing Partner
Wilson Sonsini Goodrich & Rosati
Douglas J. Clark is the Managing Partner of Wilson Sonsini Goodrich & Rosati (WSGR). The firm is the premier legal advisor to technology, life sciences, energy and clean technology, social and traditional media, communications, retail, and financial services. It represents companies at every stage of development, from entrepreneurial start-ups to multibillion-dollar global corporations, as well as venture firms, private equity firms, and investment banks that finance and advise them. The firm is nationally recognized as a leader in the fields of corporate governance and finance, mergers and acquisitions, private equity, securities litigation, employment law, intellectual property, and antitrust, among many other areas of law.
Clark has 29 years of experience in legal industry and began his career in 1993. He graduated from the University of Chicago with a JD and from Allegheny College with an undergraduate degree in Political Science.
24. Larren M. Nashelsky, Chair
Morrison & Foerster
Larren M. Nashelsky began his professional career 32 years ago. Today, he is the Chair and Chief Executive Partner of Morrison & Foerster LLP. Morrison & Foerster (also known as MoFo) is an American multinational law firm headquartered in San Francisco, California, with 17 offices located throughout the United States, Asia, and Europe. The firm has over 1,000 lawyers who advise clients across a range of industries and practices, including intellectual property, patent litigation, corporate/M&A, business restructuring, and securities. MoFo excels in many practice areas, including IP and privacy, and is a stand-out in the pro bono area. MoFo complements its expertise in IP, finance, life sciences, technology, and litigation with a long reach across the Pacific Rim and, more recently, into Europe. Their clients include some of the largest financial institutions, Fortune 100 companies, and leading technology and life sciences companies.
Nashelsky first got his start in 1990 as an Associate and Of Counsel at Weil, Gotshal & Manges. He graduated from the Maurice A. Deane School of Law at Hofstra University with a JD and from the State University of New York at Albany with an undergraduate degree in Finance.
25. David Beveridge, Senior Partner
Shearman & Sterling
David Beveridge is the Senior Partner of Shearman & Sterling LLP. He first joined the company as Capital Markets-Americas Practice Group Leader in the firm’s New York office. Shearman & Sterling is a multinational law firm headquartered in New York City. The firm has 850 lawyers around the world speaking more than 60 languages. It has a long and distinguished history of supporting its clients wherever they do business, from major financial centers to emerging and growth markets. The firm represents many of the world’s leading corporations and major financial institutions, as well as emerging growth companies, governments, and state-owned enterprises, often working on ground-breaking, precedent-setting matters. With a deep understanding of its clients' businesses and the industries within which they operate, Shearman & Sterling’s work is driven by their need for outstanding legal and commercial advice.
Beveridge earned a JD from The University of Texas at Austin and an undergraduate degree from Washington and Jefferson College.
26. Henry N. Nassau, Chief Executive Officer
Dechert
Henry N. Nassau is the Chief Executive Officer of Dechert LLP. Dechert is an American multinational law firm of more than 900 lawyers, focused on sectors with the greatest complexities, legal intricacies, and highest regulatory demands. It excels in delivering practical commercial judgment and deep legal expertise for high-stakes matters. The firm has built a global platform across 22 locations with a singular focus – delivering the highest-quality advice that is actionable, commercial, and delivered efficiently. The firm has been recognized among the top 10 U.S. law firms for pro bono work in The American Lawyer's Pro Bono Survey, an annual report that rates the nation's 200 highest-grossing law firms based on their level of pro bono activity. In August 2014, Dechert received the American Bar Association Pro Bono Publico Award. In 2020, Dechert received the ABA Business Law Section National Public Service Award. In 2021, the firm was rated #1 for international pro bono work by The American Lawyer.
Before joining Dechert, Nassau was Chief Operating Officer at Internet Capital Group. He graduated from Penn State University, The Dickinson School of Law with a JD, and from the University of Pennsylvania with a master’s degree and an undergraduate degree.
27. Ira J. Coleman, Chairman
McDermott Will & Emery
Ira J. Coleman began his professional career 34 years ago. Today, he is the Chairman of McDermott Will & Emery. McDermott is an international law firm with diversified business practices. It propels the success of the world’s most respected, dynamic, and important organizations. The firm is one of the largest grossing law firms in the U.S. and globally, with 85+ years of legal & industry experience, 20+ locations in 7 countries, and 1,200+ lawyers that represent a wide range of commercial, industrial, and financial enterprises, both publicly and privately held.
Coleman first got his start in 1988 as an Associate Attorney at Broad and Cassel. He graduated from the Nova Southeastern University, Shepard Broad Law Center with a JD, from the University of Miami School of Law with an MLL, and from the State University of New York with an undergraduate degree.
28. Jami McKeon, Chair
Morgan, Lewis & Bockius
Jami McKeon is a Partner in the Litigation Practice and Chair of Morgan, Lewis & Bockius LLP. She first joined the company in 1981 as Partner. Morgan Lewis is an American multinational law firm recognized for exceptional client service, legal innovation, and commitment to its communities. Its global depth reaches across North America, Asia, Europe, and the Middle East with the collaboration of more than 2,200 lawyers and specialists, who provide elite legal services across industry sectors for multinational corporations to startups around the world. Mergers with other law firms stimulated global growth and led to a ranking of eighth on American Lawyer's 2018 list of the top 100 firms by gross revenue. It is also the largest law firm chaired by a woman, and represents three-quarters of the Fortune 100 companies.
McKeon earned a JD from Villanova University and an undergraduate degree from Penn State University.
29. Alan Mason, Global Managing Partner
Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer
Alan Mason is the Global Managing Partner of Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer LLP. Headquartered in London, Freshfields is a global law firm with a long track record of successfully supporting the world's leading national and multinational corporations, financial institutions, and governments on ground-breaking and business-critical mandates. Its 2,800-plus lawyers deliver results worldwide through its own offices and alongside leading national firms. Tracing its roots back to the 18th century, Freshfields is considered the oldest international law firm in the world, and a member of the Magic Circle of leading London-headquartered law firms. The firm has 27 offices in 17 jurisdictions across Asia, Europe, the Middle East, and North America.
Mason has 23 years of experience in the legal industry and began his career in 1999. Before joining Freshfields, he was a legal secondment at a major international investment bank, and prior to that, an IBD legal at Goldman Sachs. Earlier in his career, he worked with Freshfields as an Associate in Paris. He graduated from the University of Paris 1 Panthéon-Sorbonne with a JD and from King’s College, London with an undergraduate degree in Law.
30. Douglas G. Gibson, Chair of the Management Committee
Covington & Burling
Douglas G. Gibson began his professional career over 31 years ago. Today, he is the Chair of the Management Committee of Covington & Burling LLP. Covington & Burling is an American multinational law firm headquartered in Washington, D.C. that advises clients on transactional, litigation, regulatory, and public policy matters. From its offices in the U.S., Asia, U.K., and the Middle East, Covington & Burling practices as one firm, holding closely to core values that start with a deep commitment to its clients and the quality of its work on the clients’ behalf. These core values also include an emphasis on teamwork among the firm’s lawyers and other professionals and a belief in the obligation of lawyers to make legal services available to all who need them. In 2021, Vault.com ranked Covington & Burling as the #1 law firm in Washington, D.C.
Gibson first got his start in 1990 as an Associate at Covington & Burling. From there, he went on to Bacardi before eventually returning to Covington & Burling as Partner and Chair of the Management Committee. He graduated from Harvard Law School with a JD and from The Johns Hopkins University with an undergraduate degree.
31. Matthew Layton, Managing Partner
Clifford Chance
Matthew Layton is Clifford Chance’s Managing Partner. Clifford Chance is an international law firm headquartered in London and a member of the "Magic Circle," a group of the five most prestigious London-based multinational law firms. It is one of the world's pre-eminent law firms with significant depth and range of resources across five continents, and it ranks as one of the top ten largest law firms in the world measured both by number of lawyers and revenue. In 2019–20, Clifford Chance had total revenue of £1.803 billion ($2.5 billion), the highest of any firm in the Magic Circle, and profits per equity partner of £1.69 million. As a single, fully integrated, global partnership, the firm prides itself on its approachable, collegiate, and team-based way of working.
Layton first joined Clifford Chance in 1983 as a Global Managing Partner. He earned an undergraduate degree in law from the University of Leeds.
32. Michael A. Gerstenzang, Managing Partner
Cleary Gottlieb Steen & Hamilton
Michael A. Gerstenzang is the Managing Partner of Cleary Gottlieb Steen & Hamilton LLP. Cleary Gottlieb is a leading international law firm employing over 1,200 lawyers in 17 offices located in major financial centers around the world. The firm has helped shape the globalization of the legal profession for more than 75 years. Its worldwide practice has a proven track record of innovation and providing work of the highest quality to meet the needs of its domestic and international clients. Cleary offers a collegial working environment that fosters the professional and personal growth of its lawyers and staff. The firm seeks candidates who are confident in their abilities and creative in their thinking to best serve the changing needs of its clients. It places a premium on openness, diversity, individuality, and collegiality, and looks for candidates who do so as well.
Gerstenzang has 23 years of experience in the legal industry. He began his career in 1999. He graduated from Columbia Law School with a JD and from Georgetown University with an undergraduate degree.
33. Hugh Verrier, Chair
White & Case
Hugh Verrier began his professional career 28 years ago. Today, he is the Chair of White & Case LLP. White & Case is a global law firm based in New York City with longstanding offices in the markets that matter today. Its on-the-ground experience, cross-border integration, and depth of local, U.S., and English-qualified lawyers help its clients work with confidence in any one market or across many. White & Case guides its clients through difficult issues, bringing its insight and judgment to each situation. The firm’s innovative approaches create original solutions to its clients’ most complex domestic and multijurisdictional deals and disputes. Founded in 1901, the firm has 45 offices in 31 countries worldwide. It is one of the top ten law firms worldwide in terms of revenue.
Verrier graduated from Harvard Law School with an MLL, from the University of Ottawa with an LLB, and from Université de Montréal with an undergraduate degree.
34. Jeremy Clay, Managing Partner
Mayer Brown
Jeremy Clay is the Managing Partner of Mayer Brown LLP. He first joined the company in 1985 as Global Head of Real Estate. Mayer Brown is uniquely positioned to advise the world’s leading companies and financial institutions on their most complex deals and disputes. With an extensive reach across four continents, the firm is the only integrated law firm in the world with approximately 200 lawyers in each of the world’s three largest financial centers—New York, London, and Hong Kong—which serve as the backbone of the global economy. The firm has deep experience in high-stakes litigation and complex transactions across industry sectors, including its signature strength, the global financial services industry. Its diverse teams of lawyers are recognized by their clients as strategic partners with deep commercial instincts and a commitment to creatively anticipating their needs and delivering excellence in everything they do. Mayer Brown’s “one-firm” culture—seamless and integrated across all practices and regions—ensures that its clients receive the best of their knowledge and experience.
Clay earned an undergraduate degree in law from the University of Oxford.
35. Gareth Price, Global Managing Partner
Allen & Overy
Gareth Price is the Global Managing Partner of Allen & Overy LLP. A&O is a global law firm that helps the world’s leading businesses to grow, innovate, and thrive. For almost a century, it has built a reputation for its commitment to thinking ahead and bringing original solutions to its clients’ most complex legal and commercial challenges. At a time of significant turbulence in the business world, A&O is determined to help its clients embrace change, confidently expand into new markets, and keep on top of ever-more complicated regulatory frameworks. A&O is a member of the U.K.'s Magic Circle of leading law firms. In 2019, the firm advised on more transactional deals than any other law firm in the world and was one of two firms to have surpassed the US $1 trillion mark in terms of deal value, totaling US $1.15 trillion.
Price has over 25 years in the legal industry. He began his career in 1996. He graduated from the University of Cambridge with an MA in Law.
36. Paul Lewis, Firmwide Managing Partner
Linklaters
Paul Lewis began his professional career 16 years ago. Today, he is the Firmwide Managing Partner of Linklaters LLP. Linklaters is a multinational law firm headquartered in London, England. It works with companies, financial institutions, funds, and governments to execute the most significant deals and resolve disputes arising across the world. It provides not only its technical expertise but exceptional client service from every part of the firm. It also invests constantly in its systems, technology, and working practices to ensure that it delivers the right results. Founded in 1838, Linklaters is a member of the "Magic Circle" of elite London-headquartered law firms. The firm currently employs more than 2,800 lawyers across 30 offices in 20 countries.
Lewis graduated from London Business School with a Master’s in Finance and from the University of Oxford with an undergraduate degree in Law.
37. Miguel Zaldivar, Chief Executive Officer
Hogan Lovells
Miguel Zaldivar is the Chief Executive Officer of Hogan Lovells. He first joined the firm in 2002 as a Partner. Hogan Lovells is an American-British law firm co-headquartered in London and Washington, D.C. Its 2,600+ lawyers across 40 offices on 5 continents will work together with you to solve the toughest legal issues in major industries and commercial centers around the world. Whether you’re expanding into new markets, considering capital from new sources, or dealing with increasingly complex regulations or disputes, the firm will help you stay on top of your risks and opportunities. Hogan Lovells specializes in government regulatory, litigation, commercial litigation and arbitration, corporate, finance, and intellectual property. In 2017, the firm rose to the 7th largest worldwide in terms of gross revenues, with revenues exceeding U.S. $2 billion.
Previously, Zaldivar was a Partner at Steel Hector & Davis LLP, and before that an Associate at Baker & McKenzie. Earlier in his career, he worked with Covington & Burling as a lawyer from abroad. He earned a JD from the University of Miami School of Law, an MLL from the University of Illinois College of Law, and an undergraduate degree from Universidad Católica Andrés Bello.
38. Steven Sonberg, Managing Partner
Holland & Knight
Steven Sonberg is the Managing Partner of Holland & Knight LLP. Holland & Knight has a rich heritage in Florida, with roots dating to 1889, when Peter O. Knight opened a law office in Tampa. The firm now comprises about 1,400 lawyers and a staff of 1,100 in 25 domestic and three foreign offices. It is a full-service law firm known for its capabilities in energy, finance, taxation, business transactions, and an ability to resolve its clients' controversies in or out of court. In addition to providing a wide range of traditional legal services to clients in many industries, the firm takes pride in the depth of its experience in the energy industry. Holland & Knight was named “Law Firm of the Year” in the Natural Resources Law category (2018) and in the Oil & Gas Law category (2011-2013, 2015, 2017) by the U.S. News - Best Lawyers® Best Law Firms.
Sonberg graduated from the University of Miami School of Law with a JD, from New York University School of Law with an MLL in taxation, and from New York University, Leonard N. Stern School of Business with an undergraduate degree in accounting.
39. Stephen J. Brogan, Managing Partner
Jones Day
Stephen J. Brogan is the Managing Partner of Jones Day. Jones Day is an American international law firm. It has a history of more than 125 years and a culture of client service, professionalism based on explicit shared values, commitment to pro bono work, public service, and community involvement in all of its locations around the world. As of 2018, Jones Day was the fifth largest law firm in the U.S. and the 13th highest-grossing law firm in the world, and it has represented over half of the companies in the Fortune 500, including Goldman Sachs, General Motors, McDonald's, and Bridgestone. Jones Day is committed to recruiting, retaining and advancing highly qualified diverse lawyers and has set priorities in entry-level recruitment, lateral recruitment, development and retention of minority and female lawyers, and diversity mentoring, training and awareness.
Brogan began his professional career 45 years ago. He first got his start in 1977 as a lawyer at Jones Day. From there, he went on to the United States Department of Justice before eventually returning to Jones Day as Head of the Litigation Group. He graduated from the University of Notre Dame London Law Center with a JD and from Boston College with an undergraduate degree.
40. Simon Levine, Co-Chief Executive Officer (tie)
DLA Piper
Simon Levine is the Co-Chief Executive Officer of DLA Piper. DLA Piper is a global law firm capable of taking care of the most important legal needs of clients wherever they do business. With offices throughout the Americas, Europe, the Middle East, Africa, and Asia Pacific, DLA represents more clients in a broader range of geographies and practice disciplines than virtually any other law firm in the world. Its lawyers have wide experience in arbitration, banking, competition, and trade, as well as corporate crime and corporate finance. It has strong practices in employment, energy, hospitality and leisure, insurance, intellectual property, litigation, and mergers and acquisitions, and has developed key teams in pensions, private equity, real estate, tax, and technology.
Levine first joined DLA Piper in 2005 as Partner and Joint Global Head of the Intellectual Property & Technology Group. He earned an MA in Law and an undergraduate degree in Law from the University of Cambridge.
40. Cameron Jay Rains, Co-Chief Executive Officer (tie)
DLA Piper
Cameron Jay Rains is the Co-Chief Executive Officer of DLA Piper. DLA Piper is a multinational law firm with offices in more than 40 countries throughout the Americas, Asia Pacific, Europe, Africa, and the Middle East. DLA Piper represents more clients in a broader range of geographies and practice disciplines than virtually any other law firm in the world. Its lawyers have wide experience in arbitration, banking, competition and trade, as well as corporate crime and corporate finance. The firm has strong practices in employment, energy, hospitality and leisure, insurance, intellectual property, litigation, and mergers and acquisitions and has developed key teams in pensions, private equity, real estate, tax, and technology.
Rains is a member of DLA Piper's Global Board, Executive Committee, and Policy Committee. He graduated from Notre Dame Law School with a JD and from the College of the Holy Cross with an undergraduate degree in Political Science.
41. Brian L. Duffy, Chief Executive Officer
Greenberg Traurig
Brian L. Duffy is the Chief Executive Officer of Greenberg Traurig, LLP. Greenberg Traurig has more than 2,400 attorneys in 43 locations in the United States, Europe, Latin America, Asia, and the Middle East. It is currently the 10th largest law firm in the United States by headcount. The firm, often recognized for its focus on philanthropic giving, innovation, diversity, and pro bono work, reported gross revenues of more than $2 billion for FY 2021. The firm is consistently among the top firms on the Am Law 100, Am Law Global 100, NLJ 250, and Law360 (U.S.) 400. In 2020, Greenberg became the first law firm certified to be net carbon neutral by the Center for Resource Solutions. In 2021, it was named a Mansfield Rule 4.0 Certified Plus firm, which requires that at least 30% of leadership roles and 30% of staffed lawyers come from historically underrepresented groups. Greenberg is a Top 15 firm on the debut 2022 Law360 Pulse Leaderboard.
Duffy began his professional career more than 13 years ago. He graduated from the University of Colorado with a JD and from the University of South Dakota with an undergraduate degree.
42. Alexander Y. Thomas, Global Managing Partner
Reed Smith
Alexander Y. Thomas is the Global Managing Partner of Reed Smith LLP. Reed Smith is a dynamic international law firm dedicated to helping clients move their businesses forward. With an inclusive culture and innovative mindset, Reed Smith delivers smarter, more creative legal services that drive better outcomes for their clients. Their deep industry knowledge, long-standing relationships, and collaborative structure make them the go-to partner for complex disputes, transactions, and regulatory matters. Now celebrating more than 140 years of service, the firm spans 30 offices with 3,000 people, including 1,700 lawyers.
Thomas first joined Reed Smith in 1999. Previously, he was a Special Assistant U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia at the U.S. Department of Justice, and before that, a Judicial Law Clerk at the U.S. District Court. Earlier in his career, he worked with the U.S. Senate as a Legislative Correspondent. Thomas earned a JD from Washington and Lee University School of Law and an undergraduate degree from Trinity College in Hartford, Connecticut.
43. Mark J. Ruehlmann, Chairman and Global Chief Executive Officer
Squire Patton Boggs
Mark J. Ruehlmann is the Chairman and Global Chief Executive Officer of Squire Patton Boggs. Squire is an international law firm with 42 offices in 20 countries. It was formed in 2014 by the merger of the multinational law firm Squire Sanders with Washington, D.C.-based Patton Boggs. Squire’s client base spans every type of business, both private and public, worldwide. It advises a diverse mix of clients, from Fortune 100 and FTSE 100 corporations to emerging companies, and from individuals to local and national governments. In the private sector, it provides the full range of legal advice required to implement practical strategies and resolve disputes. In the public sector, it counsels governments on the privatization of entire industries and on the establishment of regulatory systems under which new private businesses can compete. Squire Patton Boggs is one of the 30 largest law firms in the world by total headcount and gross revenue, the 12th largest firm in the U.K. by revenue, and one of the top 15 by number of countries occupied.
Ruehlmann is listed in Chambers USA for his litigation practice. He has been listed in The Best Lawyers in America each year since 2007 and is the 2020 Cincinnati Lawyer of the Year for Bet-the-Company Litigation. He graduated from Vanderbilt University with a JD and from the University of Notre Dame with an undergraduate degree.
44. Milton Cheng, Global Chair
Baker McKenzie
Milton is the Global Chair of Baker McKenzie. Founded in 1949, Baker McKenzie is a multinational law firm headquartered in Chicago, Illinois. It has 77 offices in 46 countries and over 6,000 lawyers worldwide. The firm’s integrated client solutions provide seamless advice, underpinned by deep practice and sector expertise, as well as first-rate local market knowledge. Armed with Baker McKenzie's insight and foresight, business leaders can feel confident in driving growth that is both sustainable and inclusive. The firm is one of the largest in the world by headcount and revenue. Since 2010, it has been recognized as the top law firm in the world for multinational M&As. In 2021, the firm’s revenue was $3.1 billion.
Cheng began his professional career 32 years ago. He has consistently been recognized as a leading lawyer in his field by Chambers Asia Pacific, Legal 500 Asia Pacific, and IFLR1000. He graduated from King's College London with an undergraduate degree in Law.
45. James Segerdahl, Global Managing Partner
K&L Gates
James Segerdahl is the Global Managing Partner of K&L Gates LLP. Founded in 1946 and headquartered in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, the firm is one of the largest in the world. K&L Gates is home to more than 1,800 professionals practicing out of 40-plus offices in over a dozen countries based on five continents. The firm represents corporations and companies in major industries, particularly in the sectors of technology, manufacturing, financial services, healthcare, and energy, and offers a variety of legal services, including corporate law, real estate, labor and employment, financial legal services, and more. K&L is ranked 34th in the Top 100 most prestigious law firms in the country, based on the assessments of lawyers at peer firms, by Vault.com. For three consecutive years (2017-2019), U.S. News has ranked K&L as the top law firm in the U.S. for environmental litigation.
Segerdahl first joined K&L as a General Counsel and co-founded the firm’s insurance coverage practice. He earned a JD from the University of Pittsburgh School of Law and an undergraduate degree from Grove City College.
46. Gerry Pecht, Global Chief Executive
Norton Rose Fulbright
Gerry Pecht is the Global Chief Executive of Norton Rose Fulbright. The firm provides the world’s preeminent corporations and financial institutions with a full business law service. It has more than 4,000 lawyers based in more than 50 cities across Europe, the United States, Canada, Latin America, Asia, Australia, Africa, and the Middle East. Recognized for its industry focus, the firm is strong across all the key industry sectors: financial, energy, infrastructure, mining, commodities and agribusiness, transport, technology and innovation, and life sciences and healthcare. Norton Rose Fulbright aims to provide the highest possible standard of legal service in each of its offices and to maintain that level of quality at every point of contact.
Pecht has more than 43 years of experience in the legal industry and began his career in 1978. Before joining Norton Rose Fulbright, he was a Law Clerk for the United States District Court, Southern District of Ohio. He graduated from the University of Cincinnati College of Law with a JD and from Georgetown University with an undergraduate degree.
47. Justin D'Agostino, Chief Executive Officer
Herbert Smith Freehills
Justin D'Agostino is the Chief Executive Officer of Herbert Smith Freehills, an international law firm with headquarters in London and Sydney. It is regarded as one of the world's most elite and selective law firms and is particularly recognized for its dispute resolution. The firm brings together the best people across its 26 offices to expertly meet all of its clients’ legal services needs. Operating as a single, globally integrated partnership, the firm works as a team, using innovative systems and processes to ensure its clients’ work is delivered intelligently, efficiently, and reliably. Herbert Smith Freehills cares about the markets and communities it works within and constantly strives to make them better.
D'Agostino joined Herbert Smith Freehills in 1998 and became a Partner in 2007. He led the firm's Global Disputes practice and its Asia region from 2014 to 2020 and its U.S. region from 2019 to 2020. He graduated from the University of Aberdeen with an undergraduate degree in Law.
48. Lee Ranson, Co-Chief Executive Officer (tie)
Eversheds Sutherland
Lee Ranson is the Co-Chief Executive Officer of Eversheds Sutherland. As a global top 10 law practice, Eversheds Sutherland provides legal advice and solutions to an international client base that includes some of the world’s largest multinationals. Its teams of lawyers around the world operate seamlessly to deliver the legal know-how and strategic alignment that clients need from their advisors to help further their business interests. Clients describe the firm as creative and well versed in cutting-edge legal work – Eversheds listens well in order to understand how and where it can be most effective and add the greatest value.
Ranson has spent his entire professional career at Eversheds Sutherland. He led the Real Estate and Real Estate Litigation group before serving as Managing Partner beginning in 2009, then became Chief Executive in May 2017 and was elected for a second term starting May 2021. He earned an undergraduate degree in Law from the University of Hull.
48. Mark D. Wasserman, Co-Chief Executive Officer (tie)
Eversheds Sutherland
Mark D. Wasserman is the Co-Chief Executive Officer of Eversheds Sutherland Limited, and the Managing Partner of Eversheds Sutherland (US) LLP. Eversheds Sutherland is a global multinational law firm created by the February 2017 merger of Eversheds LLP and Sutherland Asbill & Brennan LLP, and is one of the 50 largest firms in the world. Eversheds Sutherland’s global teams operate seamlessly to deliver the commercial know-how and strategic alignment that clients need from their advisers to help further their business interests. It shapes its advice to the unique circumstances and challenges of each project, and ensures the right people are in the right places to offer insight and certainty every time – from the day-to-day to the most complex, multi-jurisdictional transactions.
Wasserman has been the Managing Partner of Eversheds Sutherland (US) LLP for 16 years. Prior to being elected Managing Partner in 2005, he served as Co-Chair of Eversheds Sutherland (US)’s Corporate Transactional team and was a member of its Executive Committee. He graduated from Emory University School of Law with a JD and from Clemson University with both an MA in Economics and an undergraduate degree.
49. Pierre-Sébastien Thill, Chairman
CMS
Pierre-Sébastien Thill is the Chairman of CMS Francis Lefebvre Avocats. CMS is one of the leading international corporate law firms and is the 2nd largest law firm in France by revenue. Its deep roots, unique positioning, and widely recognized expertise enable it to deliver innovative, high-value-added solutions in tax, business, corporate, and employment law. CMS was founded in 1999 and has more than 4,500 lawyers in more than 74 offices in 42 countries across the world. It has long-standing expertise both in advising in its local jurisdictions and across borders. It represents a large number of Fortune 500, FT European 500, and DAX 30 companies.
Thill has been Chairman of the Supervisory Board of CMS Francis Lefebvre Avocats since July 2016 and was the Managing Partner of CMS Francis Lefebvre Avocats' New York office from 1994 to 1997. He graduated from Faculté de Droit d' Aix-en-Provence with a postgraduate degree in Business Law and an undergraduate degree in International Business Law.
50. Sue Kench, Global Chief Executive
King & Wood Mallesons
Sue Kench is the Global Chief Executive of King & Wood Mallesons. Recognized as one of the world’s most innovative law firms, King & Wood Mallesons offers a different perspective on commercial thinking and the client experience. With access to a global platform and a team of over 2,000 lawyers in 30 locations around the world, the firm works with clients to help them understand local challenges, navigate through regional complexity, and find commercial solutions that deliver a competitive advantage for its clients. As a leading international law firm headquartered in Hong Kong, King & Wood Mallesons helps clients open doors and unlock opportunities as they look to Asian markets to unleash their full potential.
Kench first joined the firm in 1993 as a Senior Associate. Previously, she was a Solicitor in the Property and Corporate departments at Phillips Fox, and before that, a Solicitor in the Property department at Clifford Chance. She earned an undergraduate degree in Law from Macquarie University.
