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Firm Management

Pandemic Finances — From Fear to Confidence (Part 1)

In 2020, Texas Firms Dodge Worst Fears

Eleven months ago, law firm leaders looked into the abyss. Covid-19 had shuttered offices. Oil prices had plunged. Unprecedented disruptions loomed for corporate clients. The law firms feared drastic declines in revenues, wiped-out profits and painful layoffs.

The Texas Lawbook surveyed 26 law firms on what really happened during the pandemic. In the first of a three-part series, The Lawbook provides an advanced look at 2020 Texas law firm finances and operations. “All of us should be on bended knee, giving thanks,” said Jackson Walker’s Wade Cooper.

In the Push for Diversity at the Top, Norton Rose Fulbright Finds Sponsorship vs. Mentorship is Key

All corporate law firms struggle with racial and gender diversity, but Norton Rose Fulbright appears to have figured out the formula for inclusion among its highest ranks. Four of its U.S. management committee are women – three are women of color. The firm’s new global chair is an African American woman. Six of the 11 associates promoted to partner this week are ethnic minorities or women. The data begs the question: How did a century old global law firm achieve so much diversity in its leadership ranks?

The Silver Lining – The Most Transformative Time for the Legal Workplace

Workplace design trends in the legal industry identified prior to the pandemic will continue accelerating and in a more impactful way than ever before, according to the findings of a new survey by global architecture and design firm Gensler. Kenneth Wiesehuegel, studio director in Gensler’s Houston office and regional leader for professional service firms, shares specifics with The Lawbook.

Susman Godfrey: Associate Bonuses Hit $170K Amid ‘Heartbreaking’ Year

The Houston-based litigation powerhouse Susman Godfrey announced Monday that it paid six-digit bonuses to its associates, promoted six lawyers to partner – including four women – and significantly increased the amount of money the firm is giving to charities that focus on racial justice. Despite the great financial year, 2020 was still ‘heartbreaking’ for the four-decade old firm.

Updated – Shauna Clark – From a Segregated Prom to First African American Woman to Chair of a Global Law Firm

Shauna Clark, a Houston mother of four who represents some of the largest corporations in the world, will become the highest ranking African American woman to ever lead or co-lead a global corporate law firm. Norton Rose Fulbright, which has about 3,200 lawyers in 52 cities around the world including 400 lawyers in Texas, announced Thursday that Clark will be the next chair of its supervisory committees overseeing for the firm’s global and U.S. operations, which is essentially the second highest ranking post within law firm partnerships.

This article has been updated with a clarification about Clark’s new role.

Houston Bar Gives Thanks, Raises $878K for Pro Bono

Baker Botts partner Bill Kroger, Blank Rome partner Susan Bickley and Vinson & Elkins partner Chris Popov called colleagues and clients, law firm leaders and neighbors. Because the annual Harvest Celebration was cancelled due to the pandemic, hundreds of thousands of dollars in support for legal aid in Houston were in jeopardy. Kroger and other Houston Bar leaders took action. The results: A truly Happy Thanksgiving.

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