Biglaw doesn’t change overnight — until someone comes along and quietly, persistently forces it to.
That’s exactly what Jami McKeon did over the past 12 years at Morgan Lewis & Bockius, and now, as she prepares to hand over the reins, it’s worth taking a moment to appreciate just how much of the modern law firm playbook bears her fingerprints. When she took over in 2014 as the firm’s first female chair, it wasn’t just a milestone for Morgan Lewis, it was a signal to the rest of Biglaw that the “boys club” at the top wasn’t inevitable.
McKeon didn’t just hold the job, she transformed it. She led the firm through explosive global growth, overseeing thousands of lawyers across continents while steering through industry-shaping moments, from major lateral integrations to the pandemic and beyond. Under her watch, Morgan Lewis didn’t just get bigger — it got smarter, more strategic, and more intentional about culture, technology, and what leadership actually looks like in a modern law firm.
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McKeon’s successor, David McManus — who’s been working at the firm for more than 30 years — will work alongside her for a training phase of sorts before he officially assumes the role in October for a five-year term. McManus has had several leadership positions at the firm, and knows that he’ll be stepping into some very big shoes once McKeon steps down, saying he’ll work hard to “carry on the legacy that Jami has built.” American Lawyer has some additional details from his statement:
“On behalf of the entire partnership, I want to express our deep gratitude to Jami for her extraordinary impact on Morgan Lewis. She has been an inspirational and passionate leader and mentor, guiding our firm with vision, integrity and an enduring devotion to our clients and our people—while shaping a culture that will continue to propel our future successes.”
“I have seen firsthand how that momentum has evolved, and I look forward to partnering closely with Jami in the months ahead to ensure a seamless transition and build on the foundation she set forth—reinforcing what makes us distinctive while developing in ways that position our firm for the future.”
McKeon, who announced her plans to retire from the firm in late 2025, said, “It has been a true privilege to serve as chair of Morgan Lewis and to work alongside such talented and dedicated colleagues around the world. I am incredibly proud of all that we have accomplished together.”
Jami McKeon opened the door for other women leaders in Biglaw, and that’s a legacy that extends far beyond any one firm. As Morgan Lewis turns the page, Biglaw is still operating in the world Jami McKeon helped create, whether it fully realizes it or not.
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Congratulations to David McManus on his upcoming leadership role at Morgan Lewis, and a very fond farewell to Jami McKeon as she calls time on a tenure that reshaped Biglaw.
Morgan Lewis Names New Chair as McKeon Closes Out 12-Year Tenure [American Lawyer]
Staci Zaretsky is the managing editor of Above the Law, where she’s worked since 2011. She’d love to hear from you, so please feel free to email her with any tips, questions, comments, or critiques. You can follow her on Bluesky, X/Twitter, and Threads, or connect with her on LinkedIn.