Structural Issues in Law Firm Management

• Toni Jaeger-Fine Senior Counselor, Fordham Law School
• Pablo Sorj Partner, Mattos Filho
• Paula Vieria Partner, Mattos Filho

Registration

Please register by January 21, 2026

Register Here

Payment

• Early Bird Pricing (available through December 1):
• $750 for all registrants

Regular Pricing (beginning after December 1):

• Individual registration: $1,150
• Registration for Fordham Law alumni: $850
• Registration for 3 or more registrants from same firm: $850 per participant

Pay using a Credit Card

CLE credit was approved for the 2026 program in accordance with the requirements of the New York State and New Jersey State CLE Boards for a maximum of 12 credits.

New York credits are nontransitional (experienced) in the following areas (subject to change): 8.5 Professional Practice credits; 1.5 Cybersecurity, Privacy & Data Protection General credits; 1.0 Law Practice Management credit; and 1.0 Ethics credit.

New Jersey credits are in the following areas (subject to change): 11.0 Professional Practice credits; and 1.0 Ethics credits.

Attendees seeking credit in another state must apply to their states' CLE Board for credit.

Eric J. Friedman, Retired Partner, Past Chairman and Executive Partner, Skadden

This panel examines governance models in modern law firms, including centralized versus decentralized structures, the role of the chair/managing partner, practice-level management, and the increasing professionalization of the C-suite. It will also address balancing competing interests, succession planning, and adapting governance to remain stable amid industry change.

Featuring:

Ho Joon Moon, Managing Partner and Head of M&A and Private Equity, Lee & Ko

Angela Quinn, Chief Operating Officer, Husch Blackwell

An Nguyen Ruda, CEO & Co-Managing Partner, Bartko Pavia

Jon D. Van Gorp, Partner & Chair, Mayer Brown

Alan F. Zoccolillo Jr, Partner and Chair, North American Transactional Practices; Past Chair, North American Healthcare group; Co-Managing Partner, New York Office, Baker McKenzie

• CLE: 1.0 professional practice credits for both NY & NJ

This panel examines the foundations of modern law firms, including the organizational structures they adopt, the role of a coherent strategy and culture, and the key factors that shape decisions about practice scope and geographic expansion. Panelists will discuss how firms secure partner buy-in for strategic initiatives, as well as the emerging challenges and opportunities that will define law firm strategies and business models in the years ahead.

Featuring:

Iván Delgado, International Executive Partner, Pérez-Llorca

Rafal Gawlowski, Partner, Latham & Watkins (Fordham Law J.D., 2000)

Andrew C. Kassner, Partner and Chair Emeritus, Faegre Drinker

Chahira Sohl, Partner, Chair of Executive Committee, Member of Management Board, Crowell & Moring

Peng Tang, Partner, Fangda Partners

• CLE: 1.0 professional practice credits for both NY & NJ

This panel examines what makes great law firm leaders and how partners balance client work with business development, internal management, and talent development. It also explores leadership roles, partner expectations, and key lessons to be applied throughout the partner journey. 

Featuring:

Gabriel Yomi Dabiri, Global Head of Private Credit and Direct Lending, Squire Patton Boggs

Cara D. Edwards, New York Office Managing Partner and Co-Chair, Leadership Alliance for Women, DLA Piper

Stacey J. Rappaport, Partner & former member of Global Executive Committee, Milbank

Stephan Waldhausen, Partner and Global Co-Head of Industrials, Freshfields

Alan F. Zoccolillo Jr, Partner and Chair, North American Transactional Practices; Past Chair, North American Healthcare group; Co-Managing Partner, New York Office, Baker McKenzie

• CLE: 1.0 professional practice credits for both NY & NJ

This panel examines how firms approach pricing, efficiency, and profitability through governance structures, alternative fee arrangements, project management, and investment discipline. It highlights how firms balance market positioning, client expectations, and internal accountability to achieve sustainable financial performance. 

Featuring: 

Verity Jackson-Grant, Head of Pricing, Simmons & Simmons

Colin Jasper, Principal, Positive Pricing

Manuel Quinche, Head Partner of Bogotá Office, Cuatrecasas

Ori Wiener, Chairman, PSFI

• CLE: 1.0 law practice management credits for NY; 1.0 professional practice credits for NJ

This two-part series will cover basic principles of law firm compensation, different models and their pros and cons, and how compensation systems should align with firm goals in order to incentivize desired behavior and retain top talent.

Featuring: 

Stephen Revell, Founder and Senior Partner, Making Change Happen

• CLE: 1.0 professional practice credits for both NY & NJ

This two-part series will cover basic principles of law firm compensation, different models and their pros and cons, and how compensation systems should align with firm goals in order to incentivize desired behavior and retain top talent.

Featuring: 

Stephen Revell, Founder and Senior Partner, Making Change Happen

• CLE: 1.0 professional practice credits for both NY & NJ

This panel explores the evolving landscape of law firm marketing and business development, including strategy, branding, digital presence, rankings, and metrics for success. It also addresses the growing role of artificial intelligence, personal branding, and training attorneys to build authentic and sustainable business development practices. 

Featuring:

JeanMarie Campbell, Head of Client Development/ Chief Marketing Officer for North America, Baker McKenzie

Deborah Farone, Founder, Farone Advisors

Sarah Heaton Concannon, Chair of SEC Enforcement Defense Practice & Partner, Quinn Emanuel

Daphne O'Connor, Partner, Head of DC Office, Co-Chair of Product Liability Litigation Group, Arnold Porter

• CLE: 1.0 professional practice credits for both NY & NJ

This panel explores how law firms win, grow, and retain client relationships by understanding client expectations, consistently delivering client-centered service, and building strategic account management practices. It also examines metrics, feedback mechanisms, cultural fit, and the role of business professionals and technology in strengthening client service and loyalty. 

Featuring:

Casey D. Laffey, Partner and Co-Chair, Global Commercial Disputes Group, Reed Smith

Amber Melville Brown, Global Head of Media and Reputation, Partner, Withers (Fordham Law LL.M., 2017)

Carla de Passos, General Counsel, Candid

Fernando Pelaez-Pier, Chief Executive Officer, LexLatin; Former President, International Bar Association

• CLE: 1.0 professional practice credits for both NY & NJ

This panel focuses on the substantial and evolving challenges of attracting, developing, and retaining legal talent in a hybrid and tech-enabled environment, including mentorship, leadership development, culture, and succession planning. It also examines how firms can align incentives, leverage artificial intelligence, and create career paths that help retain top talent support long-term growth. 

Featuring:

Kathryn Bonacorsi, Partner, Quinn Emanuel (Fordham Law J.D., 2014)

Thais Garcia, Partner & Co-Head of Latin America Practice, Clifford Chance (Fordham Law LL.M., 2016)

Jennifer Johnson, CEO, Calibrate

Julie Tran, Chief People & Development Officer, Norton Rose Fulbright US

• CLE: 1.0 professional practice credits for both NY & NJ

This panel discusses how law firms identify, structure, and manage risk through strong governance and partner engagement, and how the role of the General Counsel has evolved to play a pivotal role in risk management. It covers pressing risks, risk tolerance, conflict systems, incident response, and best practices for communicating and enforcing risk policies. 

Featuring:

Gillian Burns, Special Counsel, Associate General Counsel, Cadwalader

Joseph C. Davis, Partner & General Counsel, DLA Piper

Jennifer Paradise, General Counsel, White & Case

Riikka Rannikko, Partner, Hannes Snellman Attorneys

Trisha M. Rich, Partner & Chair of the Legal Profession Team, Holland & Knight

• CLE: 1.0 ethics credits for both NY & NJ

This panel considers how artificial intelligence (AI) is reshaping legal practice—from strategy and pricing to talent, risk, and service delivery—and what firms must do to adopt AI responsibly, ethically, and competitively. It will also explore the long-term implications of AI for legal judgment, expertise, and the law firm business model. 

Featuring:

Ben Chiriboga, Chief Growth Officer, Nexl

Pablo Jiménez, Partner, Von Wobeser y Sierra

Maria Paula Diaz, Partner, Mitrani Caballero

Philippe Seiler, Lead Product Specialist, Harvey (Fordham Law J.D., 2021)

• CLE: 1.0 cybersecurity, privacy & data protection general credits for NY; 1.0 professional practice credits for NJ

This panel examines how firms can cultivate an innovation mindset and leverage new technologies, service delivery models, and business processes to improve efficiency, strengthen client value, and enhance competitiveness. It also addresses data analytics, cybersecurity, and the structural changes needed to support meaningful innovation. 

Featuring:

David Cunningham, Chief Innovation Officer, Reed Smith

Joe Green, Chief Innovation Officer, Gunderson Dettmer

Evan J. Shenkman, Chief Knowledge & Innovation Officer, Fisher Phillips

Isabel Parker, Chief Innovation Officer, White & Case

• CLE: .5 cybersecurity for NY, .5 professional practice for NY; 1.0 professional practice for NJ

More details forthcoming!