Debevoise names successor to Michael Blair

Debevoise names successor to Michael Blair

As part of the succession plan, Peter Furci takes over in July before Blair retires and named as the next deputy ruling partner

Former incumbent presiding partner Michael Blair has been succeeded by the co-chair of Debevoise & Plimpton's tax practice.

As a result of Blair's retirement at the end of this year, Peter Furci will be named executive chairman of the firm in July 2022. Debevoise's mandatory retirement age and Blair has served as presiding partner since 2011.

Moreover, Nicole Mesard, the firm's real estate partner, has been appointed the firm's next deputy presiding partner. Her successor will be Bruce Yanett, who will continue to oversee the white collar and regulatory defense group. As Debevoise's senior chair, Mary Jo White will continue to lead the firm.

Their new roles combine 20 years of experience in firm management, Furci and Mesard, both based in New York.

During the course of his legal career, Furci joined Debevoise in 1995, eventually becoming a partner there in 2003. Besides co-chairing the tax practice of the firm and serving on the executive committee of the New York State Bar Association tax section, he advises private equity and corporate clients on M&A transactions and investment fund formation. Debevoise's Latin affinity group counts him as an ally as well.

Furici said that he was honored to lead Debevoise and that he "looked forward to work closely with Nicole to meet the opportunities and challenges ahead." He has also thanked Michael and Bruce for their excellent leadership and reaffirmation of the firm's values in a highly competitive environment.

In 2001, Mesard joined Debevoise as an associate, becoming a partner seven years later and currently serving at the firm as the hiring committee chair and deputy chair. She practices in the areas of acquisitions and sales, finance, joint ventures, secondaries and restructuring.

According to Blair, the duo "have made significant contributions to our firm community through their many leadership positions and to our clients as outstanding lawyers." They are also committed to attracting and retaining exceptional lawyers.

Blair has managed Debevoise through a period of significant expansion during his 11 years at the firm, expanding revenues by more than double and increasing profits by almost 150 percent. Law.com reports that the firm's revenue reached $1.33 billion in 2021, up 8.5 percent from the previous year, as profits per equity partner jumped to more than $5 million.

The firm hired sustainability expert Ulysses Smith as its first senior ESG adviser in New York in December 2021, in line with an increasing trend where law firms are enhancing their ESG offerings to meet growing client demands.

In 2021, it relocated 14 lawyers to open a tech and private equity-focused office in San Francisco and added veteran plaintiff's attorney John Neukom from Skadden Arps Slate Meagher & Flom in March 2022 to reinforce the IP litigation department.

In 2020, the firm has opened its first office in San Francisco, followed by the hiring of Allen & Overy counsel Christopher Dortschy to set up an office in Luxembourg, where it would focus on private equity funds.