PHILADELPHIA, October 1, 2013: Today, Morgan Lewis announced that the firm’s partnership elected Jami Wintz McKeon to succeed Francis M. Milone as Chair of the Firm. Ms. McKeon will serve a five-year term that begins October 1, 2014 after a one-year transition.
“I am honored to have been elected to succeed Fran as the Chair of Morgan Lewis. Fran has been an extraordinary leader, and under his stewardship, the firm has experienced transformative growth, while retaining the longstanding culture of client service and teamwork that characterizes our partnership and our firm,” noted Ms. McKeon. “Fran has been a valued mentor to me throughout my career at the firm, and I am excited to work with him over the next year. I very much look forward to building from the solid foundation from which Morgan Lewis will continue to serve our clients across the globe.”
“Jami has been a trusted friend and partner for many years. She has been an inspiring and innovative leader as head of our global Litigation Practice; she has been a model of success and excellence as a practicing lawyer; and she has been an effective and caring mentor to lawyers of all generations,” said Mr. Milone. “Our firm will be led by a partner who is full of compassion, good judgment, and wisdom, and we will be in good hands. I look forward to working side by side with Jami as she transitions to the leadership of our firm.”
Ms. McKeon began her legal career at Morgan Lewis in Philadelphia in 1981. During her three decades with the firm, she has held many leadership positions, including serving as a member of the Advisory Board and Compensation Committee. She helped to spearhead the firm’s expansion in California and has played a key role in attracting and successfully integrating lateral groups and individual laterals who have helped deepen the firm's capabilities around the world. Most recently, Ms. McKeon served as Leader of the Litigation Practice. Under her leadership, the practice continued to expand outside the United States by growing in London and Moscow, and has become a destination for key government officials from the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission and the U.S. Department of Justice.
Ms. McKeon's practice focuses on complex litigation, including class and mass actions, and civil and regulatory proceedings, particularly in the financial services and technology industries. Ms. McKeon has led teams in bank-related investigations and litigation, including those stemming from mortgage, credit card, and trust issues.
Ms. McKeon’s election comes after 14 years of service and leadership by Mr. Milone. Mr. Milone established a culture of innovation and business leadership at Morgan Lewis, creating a corporate environment ripe for fostering growth and stability. Additionally, Mr. Milone emphasized pro bono work and diversity as critical components to the firm’s success and took meaningful steps to incorporate both as a part of the firm’s culture.
Since Mr. Milone became Firm Chair in 1999, Morgan Lewis has experienced dramatic growth within the United States, Europe, Asia, and the Middle East, and has significantly expanded its offerings to clients. Thirteen of Morgan Lewis's 25 offices opened during his tenure. During this time, the firm also strengthened key practice areas and established itself as a market leader in diverse industries such as energy, financial services, technology, and life sciences.