Overview
CHICAGO (Jan. 22, 2018)—International law firm McDermott Will & Emery enters 2018 with a variety of new leaders who bring a fresh perspective, enthusiasm and a singular commitment to delivering on the Firm’s objective of becoming ever more indispensable to clients.
The following leadership changes took effect January 1, 2018:
- William (Bill) Butler, Global Head, McDermott’s Private Client Practice
Bill has been at McDermott for over 30 years and has played an integral role in shaping the Firm’s Private Client practice into an industry-leading brand. Throughout the years, he has held leadership positions in recruiting, training and mentoring, which, combined with his deep understanding of the Private Client space, will bring great value as he works to further enhance all that McDermott has to offer in this arena.
- John Callahan, Managing Partner, Chicago
A distinguished transactional lawyer, John has been at McDermott for 20 years and heads the Firm’s International Health M&A Practice. He will draw on his experience building a premier practice as a platform for the strategic growth of the Chicago Office.
- Dr. Michael Cziesla, Managing Partner, Frankfurt
After practicing for over two decades and serving as a managing partner at another international law firm, Michael is well-positioned to use McDermott’s strong corporate presence across Europe as a platform upon which to build and grow the Firm’s Frankfurt office into a powerhouse for international transactional work.
- Linda Doyle, General Counsel
A seasoned litigator and most recently McDermott’s Chief Human Resources Officer, Linda brings extraordinary credentials to the General Counsel role and is well-versed in the responsibilities having served as Deputy General Counsel since 2013.
- Eric Gilbert, National Hiring Partner
Eric will oversee the law student recruiting program while working with McDermott’s leaders to develop and implement strategic hiring practices to enhance the Firm’s pipeline of incoming talent. In this role Eric will emphasize McDermott’s core values and the steadfast belief that diversity, inclusion and happiness are essential to the Firm’s continued success.
- Nicole Jantzi, Global Head, McDermott’s Intellectual Property (IP) Practice
In an increasingly competitive IP market, Nicole’s leadership will focus on leveraging the talents of those around her, with an uncompromising expectation of excellence and efficiency. Nicole serves as trusted lead counsel for clients in both district court and PTAB proceedings, and her legal prowess will be complemented by Practice Group Operations Partner, Daniel (Dan) Foster, who has handled more than 100 intellectual property disputes and will use that experience to help manage the day-to-day business operations of the group.
- Lydia R.B. Kelley, Chicago Operations Partner and Global Head of Attorney Alumni Program
Lydia will provide ongoing guidance and support on office administration in the role of Chicago Operations Partner. Lydia will also oversee the creation and build-out of McDermott’s new firm wide alumni outreach initiative. She will develop and implement programming to engage the Firm’s alumni through regular information sharing, networking events, continuing legal education and job placement assistance.
“Our new leaders will bring fresh energy and a renewed focus on delivering the best experience possible for our clients and our teams,” said Firm Chair, Ira J. Coleman. “I also want to thank those who previously served in these leadership roles. We deeply appreciate all that our leaders have done – and will continue to do – for McDermott.”
McDermott has also recruited a number of high-profile lawyers who are well positioned to help the Firm achieve its strategic objectives. McDermott added to its international health bench after hiring renowned industry lawyer, Sharon Lamb, to join partner, Hamid Yunis, in London. McDermott also enhanced the scope of what it offers the health care industry with the addition of leading FinTech lawyer and thought leader, Lee Schneider. Lee was joined by partner Lilya Tessler and associate Verity A. Van Tassel Richards and together they will advise McDermott’s health care and other industry clients on exploring and implementing ledger technology and blockchain projects.
The Firm also added international bench strength in the Milan office with the arrival of one of the best known corporate teams in Italy. This team was comprised of three partners, Giancarlo Castorino, Ettore Scandale and Emidio Cacciapuoti, and was accompanied by a team of four counsel and 10 fee earners in a strategic move to significantly strengthen the Firm’s Italian capabilities in the area of transactions.
“We are delighted to be the firm of choice for such top talent.” Coleman said. “We are always excited to strengthen our team and add new capabilities as part of our ongoing commitment to doing more for our clients every day.”
About McDermott
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, Seoul, Silicon Valley and Washington, DC. Further extending our reach into Asia, we have a strategic alliance with MWE China Law Offices in Shanghai.
