George Casey and Adam Hakki Named Global Co-Managing Partners
Shearman & Sterling is pleased to announce that David Beveridge, the firm’s current Global Managing Partner, has been elected Senior Partner, effective March 1, 2018. Beveridge follows Creighton Condon, who will return to full-time practice with a senior client focus having completed his six-year term as Senior Partner. In addition, Global Head of M&A George Casey and Global Head of Litigation Adam Hakki will succeed Beveridge as the firm’s Global Co-Managing Partners, with each remaining in full-time practice, focusing their leadership efforts on client development and advising Beveridge on key strategic issues.
Creighton Condon commented, “Dave has been an invaluable partner in developing our strategy and helping implement it over the last six years. He brings tremendous management skills and a strategic vision for the future of the firm – his energy and ambition will be a driving force in propelling the firm forward. Together we have made great strides and accomplished much. I’m certain that under Dave’s leadership we will continue to exceed our clients’ expectations and build the long-term partnerships needed for our future growth and development. Combining Dave’s strategic vision and extraordinary management skills with George’s and Adam’s laser focus on clients and proven skills leading the firm’s largest practices will greatly benefit the firm.”
“I’m extremely humbled that the partnership has elected me to this role,” Beveridge said. “I’ve enjoyed working with Creighton, and I’m privileged to have the opportunity to lead the firm into its next phase. We are on a good trajectory with a great future, and I look forward to working with our talented people across the world to drive our strategy forward and deliver truly excellent client service. I am delighted to be teaming with George and Adam, both market-leading lawyers and exceptional leaders, to drive our practices and client service to an even higher level.”
Beveridge previously served on the firm's Policy Committee and has held various senior leadership roles including the Americas’ Capital Markets Practice Group Leader, and Co-Head of Capital Markets for Asia & Europe. Prior to assuming his current leadership role, he practiced for more than a decade in the firm’s London office.
Beveridge joined the firm as an associate in 1986 and was promoted to partner in 1995. A capital markets lawyer with a global reputation, especially in advising on high yield offerings, Beveridge represents both issuers and underwriters in the full spectrum of debt, equity and hybrid security offerings in the United States and globally. He has extensive experience with cross-border private equity, acquisition financings and debt restructuring transactions. He is also a strong advocate for community involvement including pro bono and charitable initiatives.
During his tenure as Global Managing Partner, Beveridge focused on the operations of the firm, improving the firm’s profitability, and running the lateral hiring program.
Over the last six years, the firm has strengthened its core practices within its Corporate, Finance and Disputes groups and introduced its industries initiatives – reinforcing the firm’s position as a global elite law firm. As a result of these initiatives, since 2012 the firm’s revenue has increased by approximately 22%, with profit per equity partner increasing by more than 50% over the same period.
Casey and Hakki have both spent their entire legal careers at Shearman & Sterling, with Casey leading the Global M&A group since 2008 and Hakki leading the Global Litigation group since 2012, with each group contributing significantly to the firm’s strong profitability growth in recent years. Both have previously served on the firm’s Executive Group and Policy Committee and are widely recognized as preeminent in their fields. Casey commented, “I am thrilled to be partnering with Dave and Adam to bring the firm’s practices to the next level and to be advising Dave on key strategic issues, while maintaining my active full-time M&A practice and total dedication to client work.” Hakki added, “The opportunity to work closely with Dave and George to expand and deepen the firm’s global client base across practices and advise Dave on key strategic issues, while continuing to devote myself full-time to handling cases and investigations, is the best of all worlds and an honor. We cannot wait to get started.”
Beveridge will chair the firm’s Executive Group, which, in addition to Casey and Hakki, will include Executive Director Kimberly Gardner, Chief Operating Officer & Chief Financial Officer Kenneth Johnsen and a diverse group of three additional partners from the firm’s U.S., Europe and Asia offices. Beveridge’s term as Senior Partner is for six years, and he will be Shearman & Sterling’s 16th Senior Partner in its 145-year history.
