Louis Freeh Named Chair of Pepper Hamilton

Succeeds Nina Gussack, as She Concludes Six-Year Tenure as One of Few Female Firm Chairs in the Legal Industry  

NEW YORK--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Pepper Hamilton LLP has named Louis J. Freeh as its next Chair. Outgoing Chair Nina M. Gussack made the announcement today. The transition will take place later this month.

“Judge Freeh is the right person to assume the Chair position at Pepper Hamilton”

“Judge Freeh is the right person to assume the Chair position at Pepper Hamilton,” said Gussack. “I look forward to supporting him as his vision and leadership continue to move us forward as a law firm always at the forefront of innovation.”

Freeh succeeds Gussack, who is completing her second and final three-year term as Chair. Gussack will continue her full-time practice of law and serve as Chair of Pepper’s nationally recognized Health Effects Litigation Practice, a role she retained while serving as Chair of the firm.

Gussack explained that the firm’s commitment to professional management and succession planning have positioned the firm well going forward. “We recruited Scott Green to serve in the new role of Chief Executive Officer. We redefined the role of Managing Partner and elected Tom Cole, a highly-respected Pepper partner, to that position. And, we recruited Louis Freeh and his colleagues. All the pieces are in place for accelerated growth and performance, and I am very pleased,” said Gussack.

Freeh said that he was honored by the selection, adding that he was following in significant footsteps. “Nina has done a tremendous job in both leading the firm and managing one of the largest and most dynamic practices in the country,” said Freeh. “On her watch, Pepper has become bigger, stronger, bolder, more diverse, more global, and more profitable. I am excited about being elected Chair of a great firm whose future has never been brighter.”

Gussack also announced that in addition to electing Freeh, the Executive Committee had elected two Vice Chairs, Julia D. Corelli and Thomas M. Gallagher. Corelli is a Corporate & Securities lawyer and co-Chair of Pepper’s Commercial Department. Gallagher is a litigator and Chair of the firm’s White Collar Litigation and Investigations Practice Group.

According to Gussack, Corelli and Gallagher bring a depth of experience to their new roles that will benefit Pepper as the firm continues to grow and expand. “Julie and Tom, along with Scott Green and Tom Cole, comprise a leadership group whose insight and experience will be instrumental in working together with Louie and the Executive Committee as we move ahead,” said Gussack.

About Pepper Hamilton

Pepper Hamilton LLP is a multi-practice law firm with more than 500 lawyers in seven states and the District of Columbia. The firm provides corporate, litigation and regulatory legal services to leading businesses, governmental entities, nonprofit organizations and individuals throughout the nation and the world. The firm was founded in 1890.