Overview
Carolyn B. Gleason has been named partner-in-charge of McDermott Will & Emery’s Washington, D.C. office, effective July 1, 2015. Head of the Regulatory and International Trade Practice, Ms. Gleason is a Firm leader who has played an increasingly important role at McDermott for more than 25 years.
As partner-in-charge, Ms. Gleason will place an emphasis on lateral recruiting as the Firm expands its efforts to attract top talent in key practice areas. Lateral hiring in Washington has been on the upswing in recent months as the Firm announced a number of high-profile hires, including former U.S. Representative Jim Moran and Leigh-Alexandra Basha, whose arrival marked the establishment of a Private Client practice in McDermott’s D.C. office.
Ms. Gleason will be the first woman to serve as partner-in-charge of the Washington, D.C. office and, in her new role, she will continue efforts to promote and encourage diversity within the Firm. Ms. Gleason is the founder and leader of McDermott’s Washington Women’s Initiative, which is focused on developing opportunities for growth, networking, and leadership for the Firm’s women attorneys. As partner-in-charge, Ms. Gleason will continue the Firm’s commitment to diversity while maintaining the high-level of client service that McDermott is known for.
“We are genuinely excited about Carolyn’s new leadership role,” said McDermott co-chair Jeffrey E. Stone. “She is an experienced lawyer who has proven her leadership abilities both in her legal practice and as a role model and mentor for others in the profession.”
Ms. Gleason’s appointment follows that of Lydia R.B. Kelley as partner-in-charge of McDermott’s Chicago office in 2014. With today’s announcement, McDermott is proud to note that the Firm’s two largest offices are now headed by women.
Ms. Gleason is globally recognized for her work in dispute settlement under the World Trade Organization (WTO). Carolyn successfully handled numerous international trade disputes, many of which set important precedents in a wide array of substantive and procedural areas. She now serves as head of the Firm’s Regulatory and International Trade Practice and co-chair of the Firm’s Food, Beverage and Agribusiness Industry Group.
Ms. Gleason succeeds Paul M. Thompson, who will step down after serving four years as partner-in-charge of the Washington, D.C. office. Mr. Thompson will continue to serve on the Firm-wide Management Committee and will remain focused on his legal practice, which encompasses white-collar criminal defense, congressional investigations and appellate matters.
“As we welcome Carolyn to her new role, we also want to thank Paul for his tireless service to our Washington, D.C. office over the last four years,” said McDermott co-chair Peter J. Sacripanti. “Under his leadership, the office seamlessly transitioned to its new Capitol Hill location and attracted excellent lawyers who have bolstered the Firm’s antitrust, energy, government strategies, healthcare, international arbitration, IP, life sciences, private client and tax groups. At the same time, Paul did a first-class job of encouraging attorneys and staff to give back to the local community through meaningful pro bono and volunteer activities. We deeply appreciate all that Paul has done – and continues to do – for the Firm.”
Since its opening in 1978, McDermott’s Washington, D.C. office has become a full-service location with lawyers practicing in a host of practice areas. Originally known for representing clients before government agencies, congressional committees, the executive branch, the legislative branch, and before federal and state courts, the Washington, D.C. lawyers now advise clients on matters ranging from corporate mergers and acquisitions to intellectual property litigation and protection.
The Firm’s Washington, D.C. office services clients in a broad spectrum of industries that include among others, multinational corporations, government and political institutions, environmental agencies, international organizations and high technology companies.
About McDermott Will & Emery
McDermott Will & Emery is a premier international law firm with a diversified business practice. Numbering more than 1,000 lawyers, we have offices in Boston, Brussels, Chicago, Dallas, Düsseldorf, Frankfurt, Houston, London, Los Angeles, Miami, Milan, Munich, New York, Orange County, Paris, Rome, Seoul, Silicon Valley and Washington, D.C. Further extending our reach into Asia, we have a strategic alliance with MWE China Law Offices in Shanghai.
