Lewis Brisbois Responds to Employment Team Exodus with Appointment of New Managing Partner

Lewis Brisbois Responds to Employment Team Exodus with Appointment of New Managing Partner

Following the departure of over 100 lawyers from Lewis Brisbois Bisgaard & Smith's employment practice to establish a boutique firm, the Los Angeles-based law firm has appointed a new managing partner. The previous incumbent and firm founder, Bob Lewis, has gracefully stepped down from his position.

The firm has announced the unanimous election of Gregory Katz, the former vice chairman, by its management committee to assume the role of managing partner, succeeding Bob Lewis.

As part of a broader reorganization exercise undertaken in response to the departure of over 100 lawyers who joined a newly established boutique led by John Barber and Jeff Ranen, former leaders of the employment practice, Bob Lewis voluntarily resigned from his position as managing partner earlier this month.

In addition, Lewis Brisbois Bisgaard & Smith decided to dissolve its executive committee. On May 10, the firm disclosed that its equity partners had conducted elections to appoint five new members, effectively expanding the management committee from its previous 10-member composition.

Lewis, who assumed the role of chairman emeritus after stepping down as managing partner, confidently stated that Katz has consistently demonstrated outstanding leadership skills since joining the firm 13 years ago.

“I believe Greg and our expanded management committee will do great things to carry on the traditions of this firm,” Lewis stated.

Greg Katz, a highly experienced member of the management committee, not only serves as the head of the New York office but also co-chairs the general liability and transportation practices at Lewis Brisbois.

Additionally, Katz provides oversight for the national trial practice team. Even in his new role as managing partner, he will remain actively involved in leading his team of litigators in New York, ensuring continued guidance and supervision.

The recent shift in leadership marked the conclusion of Bob Lewis' remarkable 43-year tenure as the head of the firm he established in 1979 as a modest insurance defence boutique. Having spearheaded the firm's expansion beyond California two decades ago, the Los Angeles-based attorney played a pivotal role in its subsequent development into one of the largest law firms in the United States in terms of personnel, boasting an impressive roster of 1,700 lawyers spread across 55 offices.

With impressive gross revenue of $703 million reported last year, Lewis Brisbois secured its position at number 70 in the prestigious Am Law 100 rankings. The firm proudly serves valued corporate entities such as Ford Motor Company and Home Depot among its esteemed client base.

Following the departure of Barber and Ranen, Lewis Brisbois has designated Elior Shiloh, a partner based in New York, to assume leadership of its labour and employment team. In a separate development, Sean Hoar, who chaired the cybersecurity and data privacy practice, departed the firm in January, taking along with him a team of 44 lawyers and staff to join Constangy Brooks Smith & Prophete, a rival firm based in Atlanta.