Law Firm Leadership Overhauls Drive Revenue and Attorney Growth
Law firm restructurings and a legal podcast spotlight leadership changes linked to measurable growth.
Why it matters: Law firm leaders face rising competitive and financial pressures. Understanding the real impact of operational and strategic leadership shifts—like those at Husch Blackwell and Lowenstein Sandler—can guide partners and legal ops executives seeking to boost profits, expand attorney teams, and sustain culture.
- 'Be That Lawyer' podcast examines practical steps for scaling firms and building trust.
- Husch Blackwell restructured, naming Angela Quinn to the newly created chief operating officer role.
- After seven years of revenue growth, Husch Blackwell increased attorneys by 90% to 1,100+ since 2017.
- Lowenstein Sandler appointed its first new managing partner in 18 years after nearly tripling revenue.
Leadership overhauls are reshaping law firm growth strategies as competitive pressures intensify. Recent moves at two major firms and the "Be That Lawyer" podcast deliver a real-world look at why revisiting the structure of firm management matters for both culture and the bottom line.
- On Steve Fretzin’s podcast episode featuring Omega Law Group’s founders, leaders discussed how deliberate management—like setting clear performance metrics and emphasizing team-building—can help law firms scale without sacrificing internal trust. As founder Shahab Mossavar-Rahmani explains: "If you take care of the people that work with you, they'll take care of the clients."
- Reflecting this focus on structure and growth, Husch Blackwell separated its operations and marketing functions, naming Angela Quinn as chief operating officer—its first-ever in the role. Since 2017, the firm grew its attorney headcount by 90% to more than 1,100 lawyers, and reported seven consecutive years of revenue increases.
- In another boardroom change, Lowenstein Sandler appointed Jonathan Wishnia as managing partner—its first such leadership transition in 18 years. Under outgoing managing partner Gary Wingens, the firm's revenue nearly tripled, highlighting the tangible links between well-managed leadership succession and financial outcomes.
For law firm management and operations teams, these case studies underscore that deliberate leadership transitions—bolstered by practical management tools—can drive quantifiable growth and help sustain firm culture amid rapid change.
By the numbers:
- 90% — Husch Blackwell attorney headcount growth since 2017 (now over 1,100 lawyers)
- 3x — Nearly triple increase in Lowenstein Sandler's revenue under outgoing leadership
- 7 — Years of consecutive revenue growth at Husch Blackwell
Yes, but: Leadership shifts can be disruptive, and results may vary widely depending on firm culture and execution.