Winston & Strawn Announces Several Newly Appointed Members to its Management Team

CHICAGO, IL — Winston & Strawn LLP announced today the appointment of several new office and department leaders. These changes are the result of rotation provisions outlined in the firm's partnership agreement. The firm appointed new office heads in seven of its 15 global offices, as well as new chairs for the firm's corporate and litigation practice groups. 

"We are extremely pleased to welcome these partners into their new roles," said Thomas Fitzgerald, the firm's managing partner. "These appointments are part of our organized succession efforts under our partnership agreement."

"This management team further expands on the strong leadership and talent in place in all of our global offices," added Dan K. Webb, firm chairman. "We are grateful to those partners in outgoing positions who have provided us with such strong leadership over the last several years."

The new office managing partners include: 

Michael Madden – London office

Mr. Madden is a partner who leads the firm's commercial litigation presence in London. His extensive experience includes work with clients in the United States, continental European and Asian business centers as the lead partner in disputes involving corporate acquisitions, divestitures and joint ventures in various industries. Mr. Madden received an L.L.B. from the University of London (London School of Economics).

Eric Sagerman – Los Angeles office

Mr. Sagerman is chair of Winston & Strawn's national restructuring and insolvency group. He has been recognized by Chambers USA from 2007 through 2010, included in Best Lawyers in America from 2008 through 2012, and named as a Super Lawyer each year since 2006. Mr. Sagerman received his B.A. in Economics from the University of California at Santa Barbara and J.D. from the University of California at Los Angeles.

Gilles Bigot – Paris office

Mr. Bigot is head of the corporate department at Winston & Strawn in Paris where he advises publicly and privately managed health institutions, laboratories, professional associations, medical equipment manufacturers, and health care practitioners in both contentious and non-contentious matters. Mr. Bigot holds a Master's degree (Maîtrise) in Business and Tax Law from the University of Paris II - Assas and received an advanced graduate diploma (DESS) in Trust and Estate Law, with honors, from the University of Rouen and an advanced graduate diploma in Business Administration.

Joan Fife – San Francisco office

Ms. Fife is head of the firm's San Francisco labor and employment group and is well known for her representation of companies in wage and hour class actions. She was named in 2009 and 2010 as one of the Daily Journal's "Top Women Litigators in California," and in 2010-2012 as one of the "Top Labor and Employment Lawyers," by the San Francisco Daily Journal. Ms. Fife received a B.S. in Mathematics and Economics from Northwestern University and a J.D. from Vanderbilt Law School.

Tom Buchanan – Washington, D.C. office

Mr. Buchanan is the head of litigation in the firm's Washington, D.C. office and serves on the firm's executive committee. He is also co-head of the firm's FCPA practice. Mr. Buchanan received a B.A. from St. Louis University and J.D. from Georgetown University Law School. 

New department heads include:

Dom DeChiara – Corporate practice group

Mr. DeChiara is co-chair of the firm's private equity practice and a partner in the New York office. He received a B.S.B.A. in Accounting from The American University and a J.D. from Fordham University School of Law.

Jim Hurst – Litigation practice group

Mr. Hurst is a veteran trial lawyer, a member of the firm's executive committee, and chairman of the firm's more than 200-lawyer intellectual property department. In January 2012, his success as a trial attorney earned him recognition as a, "Litigator of the Year Finalist" in The American Lawyer and in connection with his patent cases, his successes recently earned him the title of, "Intellectual Property MVP" by Law360. Mr. Hurst received a B.S.from the University of Delaware and a J.D. from the University of Pennsylvania Law School.

In addition to office management changes, Jerry Bloom, Linda Coberly, Dom DeChiara, David Hall-Jones, Jeffrey Kessler, Michael Madden and Gene Schaerr have joined Winston & Strawn's executive committee. Departing executive committee member and former head of litigation Tom Frederick, as well as former office managing partners Laura Petroff, Charles Birenbaum, Steven Cagle, Tom Mills, and Vincent Sol will all continue their practice at the firm along with other responsibilities. Lawrence Desideri will continue to serve as the firm's general counsel.