Seyfarth has announced that Lorie Almon has been elected as the firm’s next chair and managing partner. Almon, who is based in New York, will become the first woman chair and managing partner in the firm’s 77-year history. She will initially serve as chair-elect alongside current chair and managing partner, Pete Miller, who will be stepping down in the second half of 2023.
“I am excited that Lorie Almon has been chosen to lead us to new heights as the firm’s next chair and managing partner,” said Miller. “Lorie is an exceptional leader and mentor and exemplifies the very best of Seyfarth. Her experience in handling complex matters for some of the world’s leading companies make her ideally suited to guide the firm, in conjunction with our future-focused Executive Committee, through the opportunities and challenges that lie ahead in the coming years. I look forward to working side-by-side with Lorie to ensure a smooth transition as she becomes immersed in every aspect of our business.”
Almon will take the helm in an era of growth and expansion for Seyfarth, which has long been recognized as a leader in innovation in the delivery of legal services. Almon has been co-managing partner of Seyfarth’s New York office since 2005, and also serves as a member of Seyfarth’s Executive and Compensation Committees and its Labor & Employment Leadership Team.
A top complex employment litigator and counselor, Almon has received numerous accolades for her work, going back to her recognition as one of the National Law Journal’s “40 Under 40” lawyers in the US. She has since been honored for her work by other leading legal industry publications, including Chambers USA, The Legal 500, The American Lawyer and Best Lawyers in America. Crain’s New York Business named Almon as one of its "2020 Notable Women in Law" while BTI has selected Almon as a Client Services All-Star. Since 2015, she has been ranked by Lawdragon on its list of "The Nation’s Most Powerful Employment Attorneys."
“Seyfarth is defined by its culture of teamwork and collaboration, and I am grateful every day to work with such a collaborative and talented group of attorneys and staff professionals. This team-based approach, when paired with our pioneering spirit of innovation, our commitment to inclusion and diversity and our focus on excellence, enables us to deliver exceptional results to our clients” said Almon. “Seyfarth is in a very good place today thanks to the leadership of Pete Miller and our Executive Committee, and the hard work and dedication of our incredible team of lawyers and staff professionals across the globe.”
“The last few years have brought unprecedented challenges, of course, but they have also brought incredible growth due to our focus on our teams and our clients. We have exceptional leadership throughout our practices, offices, and administrative teams. I am thrilled to have the opportunity to help them ensure that Seyfarth delivers on the legal excellence and cutting-edge service delivery our clients have rightfully come to expect.”
As Seyfarth's chair and managing partner, Almon will oversee the firm's global operations and be responsible for the leadership, direction, growth, profitability, and culture of the entire firm. She is one of just a small number of women to hold the top leadership position at an Am Law 100 firm.
Miller was elected to Seyfarth’s Executive and Compensation Committees in 2007, was appointed as the firm’s managing partner in 2013, additionally becoming the firm’s chair in 2016. Miller led Seyfarth through a time of global crisis during the pandemic, enabling it to emerge as an even stronger and better firm. Under his leadership, Seyfarth has grown to 17 offices worldwide with more than 900 lawyers and annual revenue exceeding $850 million. Seyfarth expanded its international footprint by opening an office in Hong Kong. In the US, Seyfarth added offices in Charlotte and Seattle, both fast-growing business markets.
During his time as firm chair, Miller co-chaired the firm’s Diversity and Inclusion Action Team, a role Almon will assume when she becomes chair.
Seyfarth also added to its longstanding reputation as a leader in law firm innovation by embracing the potential of process design, multidisciplinary teams, and advanced technology to transform the way the firm delivers services. During Miller’s time at the helm, Seyfarth earned numerous innovation accolades from the legal media and industry organizations such as The American Lawyer, Financial Times, the Association of Corporate Counsel, BTI Consulting, and ILTA.
In addition to her leadership roles and practice at the firm, Almon serves as a member of the Board of Directors of Jumpstart, one of the nation's fastest-growing and most respected nonprofit organizations in the field of early childhood education. She was awarded Seyfarth's "Inspirational Leadership Award" in recognition of her commitment to Jumpstart, and by involving those around her in making a difference in the community.
Almon earned her JD at the University of Virginia School of Law, where she received the Robert F. Kennedy Award, and her BA at the University of Vermont with honors. She joined the firm in 1998 and became a partner in 2003.
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