Press Release

New Structure Demonstrates Commitment to Integration of Lateral Hires and Decentralization of Leadership 

CHICAGO, IL — Winston & Strawn LLP announced today the creation of new key leadership roles, along with new appointments to existing roles, within the firm's litigation department. Of note, four out of seven litigation practices groups and two sub-practices will be led by lateral hires to the firm within the past two years. The remaining appointees are long-term partners of the firm.

"Building upon Winston's historic strength in litigation, and particularly trial advocacy, the reorganization of our litigation department is designed to further our focus on specific practices to better serve the evolving needs of our clients," said Jim Hurst, partner and chair of Winston & Strawn's litigation department. "With our recent high-profile lateral hires, we were able to foster even greater integration in assigning leadership roles. The recent additions have also enabled us to decentralize leadership to locales where certain practices are more regionally focused, such as securities litigation in New York."

"The new structure of our litigation department by practice area enhances the firm's commitment to trial advocacy," said Dan K. Webb, firm chairman. "This focus is a legacy that has sustained our robust litigation practice across many jurisdictions, and enables us to maintain our concentration on the needs of our clients."  

Recent lateral hires appointed as practice and sub-practice leaders include: Jeffrey Kessler for antitrust and competition; Robb Adkins for white collar, regulatory defense and investigations; Mark Bravin and Joseph Tirado for international arbitration; Paul McGrady for trademark, domain names and brand enforcement; and James P. Smith III for securities litigation. Long-term partners appointed to new roles are Bruce Braun for complex commercial litigation; Thomas Quigley for products liability within complex litigation; George Lombardi, chair and Michael Brody, vice chair for intellectual property; Michael Elkin for copyright, entertainment & digital media; Brian Heidelberger for advertising, marketing & privacy; Tom Cottingham for financial services; Neal Marder for consumer class actions; and Caryn Jacobs for professional liability.  

Winston & Strawn also has established a new sports sub-practice, led by co-chairs Kessler and David Feher. Gene Schaerr and Linda Coberly will continue as leaders of the appellate and critical motions practice and John Rosenthal will continue to lead the eDiscovery and information management practice.

Steve D'Amore, a commercial litigator in Chicago, will serve as vice-chair of the department.

Helmed by veteran trial lawyer Dan K. Webb, Winston & Strawn is an international commercial law firm with 15 offices in North America, Asia, and Europe. The firm has more than 500 litigators, including more than 50 partners who have tried cases to verdict in the past five years. The litigation department also includes five fellows of the American College of Trial Lawyers, three fellows of the International Academy of Trial Lawyers, and 17 partners who are former prosecutors with U.S. Attorney's Offices across the country.