Stephen E. Lewis, head of Troutman Sanders corporate practice, will take over as managing partner of the firm beginning Jan. 1, 2011 as part of a larger management reorganization and succession plan.
Lewis will take over operational control of the Atlanta-based firm, which has more than 650 lawyers with 16 offices in North America, Europe and Asia. He will replace Robert W. Webb Jr., who will relinquish managing partner duties but will continue as Troutman’s chairman, the Atlanta Journal-Constitution reports.
There are other shakeups at Troutman. Mark S. Shiembo, a partner at Troutman’s Richmond office, was appointed chairman of the partner compensation committee. The firm also created a new role, executive partner for client development strategic planning, which will be filled by Washington D.C. partner Kevin Fitzgerald.
Additionally, the firm has broke new ground with the naming of its first woman as section chief. Andrea M. Farley, a corporate partner, will take over for Lewis as the head of the corporate section.
Webb, which the Journal-Constitution notes grew the firm from one office and 167 lawyers to its current status while chairman and managing partner, commented on the moves.
“I have a strong belief that one of the responsibilities of management and leadership is to plan,” Webb told the paper.
Lewis praised the firm’s exiting managing partner in a press release.
“The legacy that Bob Webb has built at Troutman Sanders is amazing,” said Lewis. “I am humbled and excited by the opportunity to succeed him and lead Troutman Sanders during a challenging time for the legal industry.”