As Boies Schiller Flexner, a national litigation powerhouse, aims to set its future course, two lawyers are at the helm in the consideration for leadership roles. Matthew Schwartz and Sigrid McCawley are predicted to be top contenders to succeed David Boies, according to three individuals knowledgeable about the firm’s inner workings. There’s a possibility they may share the position as co-chairs, setting the stage for a formal transition when Boies steps down by the end of next year.
The road ahead for Schwartz and McCawley, if elected, is steep. Boies plans to continue taking cases, inevitably casting a huge shadow over the famous law firm he built. They also face the challenge of navigating a firm that saw gross revenue and headcount almost halved over the last four years. However, given their roles as co-managing partners alongside partner Alan Vickery, they have held a significant level of responsibility within the firm already.
David Boies’ law firm enjoyed a prestigious status, with cases related to high-profile clients such as Microsoft’s Bill Gates, Al Gore in the 2000 presidential election, and the legal battle for the right to marriage for LGBT couples. However, criticism for taking controversial stances, such as defending Harvey Weinstein and Theranos chief Elizabeth Holmes, put the firm under scrutiny and led to the departure of key lawyers and clients.
In the midst of these challenges, the firm’s plaintiffs’ practice gained prominence with sizable victories. Boies Schiller secured more than $300 million in settlements in the Epstein cases. The firm also impacted a significant payout from a $2.7 billion settlement in a longstanding antitrust class action against Blue Cross Blue Shield and won a $612 million damages verdict for Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac investors.
The succession planning isn’t new at Boies Schiller. It’s reported that this will be the firm’s third attempt in this regard with previous successors departing due to founders’ reluctance in giving up control. Schwartz and McCawley declined to comment on the impending succession vote.
Clearly, the coming days and decisions will bring about a significant shift within Boies Schiller Flexner—one of America’s highest-profile law firms. As David Boies himself referred, the task of transitioning to its next generation is an “adaptive challenge” with no universal right answer. For a more detailed analysis, you can read the complete article.