Kelley Drye Will Adopt New Leadership Structure in 2027
The firm moves to a co-managing partner model, allowing top lawyers to maintain client-facing roles.
Updated on Oct. 5, 2026 in People
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Beginning January 1, 2027, Kelley Drye & Warren LLP will transition to an expanded leadership structure with Michael Lynch as Chair. The firm, which maintains headquarters in New York City, will implement a co-managing partner model to support continued growth.
Why it matters
The transition aims to preserve leadership capacity while ensuring partners remain active as practitioners. This strategy allows the firm to maintain momentum following a year of significant financial growth.
The firm reported a 12% revenue increase in 2025 and currently employs 340 professionals across 9 offices. Incoming co-managing partner Bill Jackson has previously secured $5 billion in settlements for various state clients.
The players
Michael Lynch
The incoming Chair of the firm who will lead the organizational transition starting in 2027.
Bill Jackson
An incoming Co-Managing Partner noted for recovering $5 billion in legal settlements for various state government clients.
David Zalman
An incoming Co-Managing Partner appointed to help guide the firm's growth and operational strategy.
Dana Rosenfeld
The current Managing Partner since January 2020 who will shift to a Senior Advisor role.
Paul Rosenthal
The outgoing Chair of the firm who served a four-year term overseeing the legal practice.
The details
Kelley Drye is adopting a co-managing partner structure to increase operational capacity while keeping leaders connected to client work. Bill Jackson and David Zalman will assume these roles as part of the broader shift. Dana Rosenfeld will transition from her role as Managing Partner, which she has held since January 2020, to a Senior Advisor position.
Timeline
Dana Rosenfeld became Managing Partner in January 2020.
The firm reported record 12% revenue growth during 2025.
Paul Rosenthal concludes his four-year term as Chair on December 31, 2026.
The new firm leadership structure takes effect on January 1, 2027.
Market Landscape
This leadership transition shifts away from the single Managing Partner model established by Dana Rosenfeld in 2020. The firm is now adopting a dual-leadership approach to balance administrative duties with ongoing legal practice requirements.
Business operators should monitor how this dual-leadership structure impacts the firm's client service availability and agility. The transition provides a template for scaling professional service firms while keeping key decision-makers involved in direct service delivery.
The takeaway
The move to co-managing partners highlights a strategy to maintain top-tier legal talent in billable roles while expanding corporate oversight. Operators should track whether this model improves response times and strategic output in high-stakes litigation cases.
Further reading
For more on shifts in firm management, visit People.
More information
View the official leadership announcement on the Kelley Drye official firm website.
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