LeClairRyan Selects Next CEO

RICHMOND, Va., Aug. 10 /PRNewswire/ -- As part of LeClairRyan's strategic management succession plan, the law firm has selected David C. Freinberg, a shareholder in its Newark, N.J. office, to become its next chief executive officer. Freinberg, who had been leader of the firm's 75-employee Newark office, will officially assume responsibilities as CEO no later than the fall of 2012, following a management transition period. Gary LeClair, the firm's co-founder, chairman and CEO, will retain his role as chairman once Freinberg's transition into the CEO role is complete. 

"We are fortunate to have a leader with an extraordinary commitment to excellent client service accept the reigns of our client-focused business strategies," says LeClair.  "I am confident that, with David's proven leadership, our externally driven strategies will remain LeClairRyan's core mission and that our best days are indeed ahead of us."

Under the succession plan, Freinberg will serve as LeClairRyan's chief practice officer during the transition period. In this capacity, he will lead the firm's client service initiatives, overseeing practice area teams, industry teams, and client teams. In connection with this transition, Co-Founder and Chief Operating Officer Dennis Ryan becomes vice chairman and President Micheal Hern adds COO to his duties as president. As such, he will oversee the firm's administration. Both Ryan and Hern are based in Richmond, Va.

"LeClairRyan has a tremendous client-driven structure that is focused on making sure that we are delivering the highest quality of client service and counsel possible," says Freinberg. "This is a wonderful opportunity to lead and work with an energetic team of nationally dispersed attorneys and professionals who are very dedicated to their profession. I am fortunate that I have been chosen to be a steward of a truly great, forward-thinking firm."

In addition to holding a number of official management positions within the firm, Freinberg has focused his legal practice on commercial real estate transactions, including the representation of real estate investors, developers, lenders, landlords and tenants. Additionally, Freinberg has counseled clients on general business matters such as entity formation and business acquisitions.

Freinberg earned his B.A. and M.B.A. degrees from Columbia University, and a J.D. degree from the Benjamin N. Cardozo School of Law, all in New York City.

A resident of Maplewood, N.J., he is a member of the Alumni Representative Committee of Columbia College, the board of directors of the Alumni Association of The Pingry School in Martinsville, N.J., and the board of trustees of Congregation B'nai Jeshurun in Short Hills.

LeClairRyan was founded in 1988 by LeClair and Ryan.  A business-minded law firm, LeClairRyan specializes in developing legal solutions to its clients' business challenges.  The firm provides business counsel and client representation in corporate law and high-stakes litigation.  With offices in California, Connecticut, Massachusetts, Michigan, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Virginia and Washington, D.C., the firm has approximately 300 attorneys representing a wide variety of clients throughout the nation.  For more information about LeClairRyan, visit www.leclairryan.com.

SOURCE LeClairRyan