Winston & Strawn Appoints Seven Attorneys to New Leadership Roles

CHICAGO, IL  — As part of its initiative to include the next generation in its leadership structure and increase diversity within its ranks, Winston & Strawn LLP today announced the appointment of seven partners to new leadership positions. The firm announced four new department chairs: Michael Falk, Executive Compensation and Employee Benefits; Amit Kalra, Tax; Joseph Karp, Energy; and Michael Roche, Labor & Employment. In addition, Linda Coberly, Peter Crowther, and Brinton Scott were appointed office managing partners for the Chicago, London, and Shanghai offices, respectively.

The appointments emphasize Winston’s commitment to diversity within its leadership. Just last month, Winston announced the election of 13 new members to the firm’s Executive Committee, of which a third are women. Of note, Ms. Coberly is the first female office managing partner for Winston’s Chicago office.

“We are excited to welcome these new leaders into their positions and thank our outgoing office managing partners and department chairs for their outstanding service and dedication,” said Tom Fitzgerald, Winston’s firmwide managing partner. “Each of these partners offers substantial legal and industry insight and will support our focus on careful growth and outstanding client service.”

About the department chairs: 

Michael Falk joined Winston in 2005. His practice involves advising clients in connection with qualified and non-qualified retirement plans, executive and equity compensation, Code Section 409A, welfare plans, and the benefits aspects of mergers and acquisitions.

Amit Kalra concentrates his practice on tax controversy and partnership taxation, with an emphasis on partnerships and pass-through entities that own and operate assets entitled to significant federal income tax benefits. He has represented clients before the IRS Appeals Office on numerous issues of federal income taxation. Mr. Kalra is frequently involved in the structuring and formation of partnerships that own and operate alternative energy resources. He joined Winston in 1995.

Joseph Karp joined Winston in 2006 and focuses his practice on regulatory, transactional, and project development matters in the energy arena. Mr. Karp offers particular experience in the renewables, natural gas, and electricity industry sectors. He regularly appears before the California Public Utilities Commission and other state agencies.

Michael Roche joined Winston in 1993 and has been a partner since 2001. He also serves as the firm’s co-general counsel. For over 20 years, Mr. Roche’s practice has focused on complex employment and benefits litigation, as well as employment counseling.

About the office managing partners:

Linda Coberly chairs the firm’s Appellate and Critical Motions Practice. Since joining the firm in 2004, she has brought prominence to the practice, which was named to the National Law Journal’s “Appellate Hot List” for 2014. Ms. Coberly is also highly regarded for her work on the firm’s Executive Committee and Diversity Committee. Among other accomplishments, she has played a key role in facilitating greater investment by firm management in initiatives to diversify Winston’s leadership ranks.

Peter Crowther practices in London and will serve as the managing partner of the office effective January 1, 2016. Mr. Crowther’s practice focuses on trade/sanctions laws, European Union merger control, national and international cartels, state aid, free movement, and other general EU and competition law. A significant part of his practice involves defending companies in a wide range of national and international enforcement proceedings, often simultaneously across a range of jurisdictions. He also devises and implements compliance programs covering areas such as competition, trade/sanctions, bribery, and corruption. In addition, Mr. Crowther has a long track record of advising broadcasting and telecommunications companies on regulatory matters.

Brinton Scott has worked in China for nearly 18 years and was the managing partner of the Shanghai office of a UK-based law firm prior to joining Winston in 2012. He advises Fortune 500 and large private multinational corporations in various matters surrounding corporate transactions, including those involving foreign direct investment, mergers and acquisitions, reorganizations, joint ventures, construction, employment, intellectual property, and technology and licensing.

Winston & Strawn LLP is an international law firm with 18 offices located throughout North America, Asia, and Europe. More information about the firm is available at www.winston.com.