Winston & Strawn Names New Leadership for Litigation and Transactions Practices
Top 50 US firm Winston & Strawn has announced new leadership for its litigation and transactions practices, with Linda Coberly and Tom Melsheimer as co-chairs of the litigation department, and Timothy Kincaid and Brad Vaiana as co-chairs of the transactions department. These appointments come as part of a strategic growth plan for the 900-lawyer firm, with the quartet set to take up their roles in June alongside incoming chair Steve D’Amore.
Coberly, a noted appellate lawyer, has led the firm’s appellate and critical motions practice for nearly two decades, while Melsheimer, a respected trial lawyer, has been managing partner of Winston’s Dallas office since 2017. Kincaid and Vaiana will work alongside outgoing transactions department chair Eva Davis, with Kincaid focusing on mid-market M&A and private equity deals, and Vaiana counseling clients in various transactions.
The new practice heads will collaborate closely with D’Amore and his leadership team to implement the firm’s strategic growth in each department. Winston & Strawn’s outgoing litigation chairs, D’Amore and George Lombardi, have led the department for almost a decade, creating new practice groups and implementing innovative programs like the Winston Institute of Trial Advocacy.
D’Amore will succeed veteran chairman Tom Fitzgerald, who has been at the helm of Winston & Strawn for almost two decades. Under Fitzgerald’s leadership, the firm has doubled its revenue to over $1 billion and expanded its global office network to 15 locations, including a recent opening in Miami. In 2022, the firm reached revenue of $1.15 billion with profits per equity partner of $3.1 million.
The new leadership appointments at Winston & Strawn signal a continued commitment to growth and excellence in serving clients globally, with a focus on expanding litigation and transactions services. The firm’s strategic plan under D’Amore’s leadership aims to further strengthen its position in the legal market and continue its trajectory of success.
