Morgan Lewis Announced New Global Leadership Team
The international law firm has appointed a new leadership team to manage its global strategy, talent, and performance.
Updated on Oct. 6, 2026 in People
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Morgan Lewis has unveiled a new leadership structure, headlined by David McManus beginning his five-year term as Firm Chair. The firm employs more than 2,200 lawyers and specialists across its international operations.
Why it matters
The firm organized its leadership to focus on elite practices and a unified culture across the organization. This structural change aims to establish accountability across global strategy, talent, performance, and operations.
The firm supports over 2,200 lawyers and specialists globally. David McManus leads the firm following a 30-year tenure as a partner, with the chair position set for a five-year term.
The players
David McManus
David McManus is the Firm Chair who has been a partner at Morgan Lewis for more than 30 years.
Christina Melendi
Christina Melendi serves as the Managing Partner of Global Strategy.
Bart Bassett
Bart Bassett serves as the Managing Partner of Global Talent.
Steven Reed
Steven Reed serves as the Managing Partner of Global Performance.
Tony Licata
Tony Licata serves as Chief Operating Officer and has held that role since 2014.
The details
The new leadership team is organized into four distinct roles: global strategy, global talent, global performance, and operations. Christina Melendi, Bart Bassett, Steven Reed, and Tony Licata serve in these respective management capacities.
Timeline
October 6, 2026: Morgan Lewis announced the new leadership team.
2014: Tony Licata was appointed chief operating officer.
Market Landscape
This leadership transition follows the pattern set by major Am Law 100 firms as they centralize operations to maintain competitive performance. The firm is positioning its new structure to compete more effectively against other large international legal practices.
The transition to a new leadership team aims to streamline internal decision-making processes for the firm's global clientele. Clients can expect consistent service standards as the firm integrates its global strategy and performance operations.
The takeaway
Large firms often reorganize leadership tiers to ensure long-term stability and cultural alignment during management transitions. Establishing clear functional accountability at the partner level remains a critical strategy for managing thousands of global professionals.
Further reading
For more information on recent career moves and firm management changes, see People.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Globallegalchronicle.
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