Greg Katz Speaks With Law360 Pulse About Positive Changes at Lewis Brisbois and the Firm’s Bright Future

New York, N.Y. (November 5, 2024) - Lewis Brisbois' Managing Partner Gregory S. Katz recently spoke with Law360 Pulse for an article on changes in the firm’s leadership and its strategies for continued success.

The article, titled “Lewis Brisbois' Leader on Steering the Firm Forward,” begins by describing recent changes that Lewis Brisbois made to its leadership, including expanding the management committee and hiring new C-suite talent. Mr. Katz told Law360 Pulse that the firm’s management committee has grown from 10 to 15 members and now includes six women as well as several members who have been at the firm for less than seven years. He noted that the committee’s new composition “demonstrates that there’s a lot of opportunity to be involved in management at this firm,” adding, “I’m very proud of the management team we have in place and the hard work everybody puts in to help us move forward, be well positioned for the future, and modernize our operations.”

Mr. Katz also discussed the positive impact that new members of firm leadership – including its Chief Operating Officer Richard Davis and Chief Financial Officer Tim Armstrong – will have upon Lewis Brisbois’ success. He commented, “Bringing Richard Davis on board was something that we spent a lot of time on, and we strongly believe we brought in somebody who has the exact pedigree, background and experience to help lead us in the future. . . .” Similarly, Mr. Katz noted that Mr. Armstrong has “done a great job” and has “been an excellent addition to our C-suite.” Mr. Katz also explained that the firm has hired a new controller and, for the first time, a director of accounting.

Noting that “2023 was one of our best years ever” and that Lewis Brisbois moved from the 11th to the ninth biggest firm in the country, Mr. Katz described his vision as “continuing to make this a place that people come to finish their careers.” He elaborated, “We are very interested in our workplace culture. . . . We're equally interested in making sure that clients get the very best work product from all our attorneys in our practice areas, where we continue to grow. So, our vision is to continue on the path that was started over 40 years ago and to continue to do what we do best and looking for ways to do everything we do better. . . . I want to continue to go down the path of making sure that Lewis Brisbois remains a leader in the legal community.”

Moreover, Mr. Katz told Law360 Pulse that Lewis Brisbois’ client base and number of lateral hires have continued to grow, noting that the firm was “on a record pace for new assignments this year, and that it had “a large, large number of new clients coming to the firm.” He also described the exceptional caliber of the firm’s recent lateral hires, observing, “The laterals that are joining us are definitely top-notch.” Mr. Katz explained that he recently read a study indicating that during the third quarter of 2024, Lewis Brisbois hired the second highest number of lateral attorneys. “I think you will continue to read about laterals, both small groups and probably midsized groups, that are going to be joining us throughout the rest of the year,” he said.

Mr. Katz closed the interview with Law360 Pulse by describing that “the steady growth in a lot of practice areas,” the firm’s strong National Trial Practice, and its national presence, have contributed to the firm’s success. He emphasized that he was particularly proud of the firm’s trial bench, stating that 40 attorneys at Lewis Brisbois were members of the American Board of Trial Advocates (ABOTA). “It's a very hard designation to get,” he explained, adding, “We have by far the most.” Mr. Katz further described, “Our firm is regularly receiving some of the biggest cases around the country, and I think that is due in part to our national trial team, which is a practice group that spans all our individual practice groups, like our employment group, our trade, our patent, our professional liability, and even our corporate business and practice groups, [which are] growing at a record pace.”

According to Mr. Katz, Lewis Brisbois’ casualty, employment, corporate, and professional liability matters are growing, as is its healthcare work, which he described as being “off the charts.” In addition to its growing number of clients, matters, and attorneys, Mr. Katz attributed the firm’s success to its geographic presence. He stated, “We are also one of the few firms left that actually have brick-and-mortar offices in every location that we list as an office. So, we really have a presence in over 50 cities where we practice.”