Morgan Lewis Appoints New Managing Partner for Washington, D.C. Office
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date:
10/01/2008
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Top Employment Attorney and Long-Time Community Leader Will Take the Reins
WASHINGTON, D.C., October 1, 2008: Morgan Lewis today announced the appointment of Grace E. Speights as managing partner of the firm's Washington, D.C. office. Ms. Speights, who has long been active in the Washington, D.C. community, will take the reins of the firm's second largest office effective today.
"Grace has been one of our most successful practicing lawyers and a multifaceted firm leader for many years," said firm chair Francis M. Milone, citing the community service and pro bono efforts that have been a hallmark of the Washington, D.C. office, in a memo issued yesterday. "She will now add this office leadership position to her other responsibilities."
Ms. Speights was a summer associate at Morgan Lewis in 1981, joined Morgan Lewis as an associate in 1984, and made partner in 1991—the first female African-American attorney to do so. A labor and employment litigator who has earned the respect of colleagues and opponents both inside and outside the courtroom, Ms. Speights chairs the firm's complex employment litigation practice and is co-chair of the firm's diversity committee. Best known for management side victories in high-profile cases, Ms. Speights is a fellow of the College of Labor and Employment Lawyers, is a Legal Times leading labor and employment lawyer, was recognized this year as one of the top 50 lawyers in the nation for the defense by Human Resource Executive, and has been ranked one of the Best Lawyers in America for two years in a row.
Prior to joining Morgan Lewis, Ms. Speights clerked for the late Judge Aubrey E. Robinson, Jr., of the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia. She has also served as an adjunct faculty member at the Washington College of Law at American University.
Ms. Speights is actively involved in and dedicated to every community she touches.
At Morgan Lewis, Ms. Speights has been involved in recruiting and management activities, currently serving on the firm's Advisory Board and Legal Personnel Committee, and having previously served as the hiring partner, chairperson of the recruiting committee, and a member of the office management committee in Washington, D.C.
Ms. Speights is equally active in bar-related activities. She has served as president of the Greater Washington Area Chapter Women Lawyers Division of the National Bar Association, chair of the D.C. Chapter of the Fellows of the American Bar Association, and as a member of the D.C. Court of Appeals Committee on Admissions and the D.C. Judicial Tenure and Nominations Commission. Currently, she sits on the Advisory Committee on Local Rules for the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia.
Outside the office, Ms. Speights is active in civic and community activities. She recently completed two terms as president of the Jack and Jill of America Foundation, the philanthropic organization that supports Jack and Jill of America, Inc., an organization aiming to develop leadership skills in children. She also served on the governing board of the St. Albans School for Boys in Washington, D.C. and currently chairs the board's diversity committee.
Ms. Speights is available for media interviews surrounding her recent appointment.