DLA Piper LLP (US) announces that Jackie Kim Park and Richard Chesley have been named co-US managing partners of the firm. Park and Chesley succeed Stasia Kelly, who has served as US managing partner since 2013 and who will now move into the role of executive director – client relations.
“In recent years, our firm and the legal profession have both seen a great deal of change, and we are excited to turn over the reins of the managing partner role to Jackie and Rick,” said Roger Meltzer, DLA Piper’s global and Americas co-chairman. “At the same time, we are immensely grateful to Stasia for the leadership she showed during her tenure in the position.”
“Jackie and Rick are innovative and collaborative leaders who are a perfect fit for our management team,” said Cameron “Jay” Rains, DLA Piper’s global co-CEO and Americas co-chairman. “They are highly respected practitioners who have both held practice and regional leadership positions in the firm, and their leadership as we move ahead and continue to evolve – particularly at a time when many of our clients are facing unprecedented business obstacles – will be invaluable. I would also like to recognize Stasia’s many contributions and thank her for her years of service as US managing partner.”
In the new position of executive director – client relations, Kelly will bring her experience serving as general counsel for a number of large corporations to focus on how the firm can better meet the evolving needs of clients, particularly given the complex business challenges many organizations are currently facing during the COVID-19 public health crisis.
“As I prepare to step into the role of chair, I am looking forward to working with Jackie and Rick,” said Frank Ryan, incoming US chair of DLA Piper. “They have demonstrated an unwavering commitment to the advancement of the firm and its people and clients, as well as impressive problem-solving capabilities and leadership skills, and I am proud to have them on our team.”
Park, who previously served as vice-chair of DLA Piper’s US Real Estate practice and co-managing partner of the Los Angeles offices, is a member of the firm’s Executive, Partner Compensation, Partner Nominating and Policy committees. She focuses her practice on commercial leasing transactions and has handled extensive leasing transactions for landlords, as well as for tenants in office, retail and industrial settings.
Chesley, who is also global co-chair of the firm’s Restructuring practice, is the former US co-chair of the practice and former co-managing partner of the Chicago office. A member of the firm’s Executive, Management and Partner Nominating committees, he practices in the area of corporate restructuring, with an emphasis on bankruptcy transactions both in the United States and internationally.
