Offit Kurman is anticipating another year of prodigious growth. In 2019, Offit Kurman more than doubled its headcount, hiring 161 employees—including 74 attorneys, and venturing into the North Carolina legal market through its affiliation with Horack Talley in Charlotte. To sustain and capitalize on this momentum in 2020, the firm is adjusting its organizational structure.
The updated management structure will contribute to Offit Kurman’s vision to continue being a progressive leader in the legal services industry and better positions the firm to enhance and focus attorney services to ensure value and increasing capabilities to its clients. Changes for 2020 include the creation of new positions in the area of Legal Operations, as well as the promotions of several attorneys to the role of Practice Group Leader.
Offit Kurman’s new structure, led by John Raftery, Managing Principal of Legal Operations, combines attorney and professional non-attorney management and leadership to effectively manage practice group functions and efforts across the firm. Attorney Linda Sorg Ostovitz will serve as Legal Operations Chair and Sherry Jones, formerly the firm’s Compliance and Onboarding Manager, will serve as Legal Operations Director. Tim Lynch, the firm’s Managing Principal, will continue to lead the Office of Managing Principal consisting of Mr. Raftery, Ms. Ostovitz and Ms. Jones.
Four Department Chairs will report to Mr. Raftery, Ms. Ostovitz and Ms. Jones. The Department Chair role is an evolution of Offit Kurman’s Practice Group Director position, with many of the same functions and responsibilities, but with an enhanced focus on client services and development of practice group capabilities and services. Joshua Quinter, Douglas Kay, Russell Berger, and William “Billy” Cannon, III are the Department Chairs overseeing the firm’s practice groups
The Department Chairs will each oversee 3–5 Practice Groups, with each Practice Group, managed by an attorney in the role of Practice Group Leader (PGL). New PGLs for 2020 include Revée Walters (Landlord Representation), Stephen Metz (Creditor’s Rights and Bankruptcy), and Marjorie Just (Family Law – North). PGLs fulfill critical leadership needs at Offit Kurman, as—unlike many law firms—Offit Kurman is structured and managed by a practice group regime across states and regions.
These organizational changes follow shortly after the hiring of Offit Kurman’s first Chief of Staff, Karrie Goldstein, in November. Together, the Legal Operations leaders, Department Chairs, and Chief of Staff provide the management support and expertise to continue the firm's growth plan and scaling of its innovative legal platform.
“Offit Kurman’s new management model incorporates the lessons learned last year, facilitating continued attorney growth in our regions and client service capabilities,” said Mr. Raftery. “As we grow in size, geographic presence, and client services offerings, strong leadership and management are the essential ingredients to ensure continued success. Linda, Sherry, Karrie, and our Department Chairs and Practice Group Leaders will be a powerful team as we focus on 2020 and beyond.”
“Every member of the firm plays a role in Offit Kurman’s continued success,” said Ted Offit, Offit Kurman CEO, and co-founder. “Our attorneys and non-attorney professional leaders drive our growth, and our growth drives service capabilities for our clients. For lawyers ready to support that mission, along with service excellence, there will always be opportunities to lead and join in organizational management.”
For more news of Offit Kurman’s recent expansions, as well as information about the firm’s comprehensive legal services and opportunities for talented and entrepreneurial attorneys, please visit offitkurman.com.
ABOUT OFFIT KURMAN
Offit Kurman is one of the fastest-growing full-service law firms in the United States. With 14 offices in seven states, and the District of Columbia, and growing by 50% in two years through expansions in New York City and Charlotte, North Carolina, Offit Kurman is well-positioned to meet the legal needs of dynamic businesses and the individuals who own and operate them. For over 30 years, we’ve represented privately held companies and families of wealth throughout their business life cycles.
Whatever and wherever your industry, Offit Kurman is the better way to protect your business, preserve your family’s wealth, and resolve your most challenging legal conflicts. At Offit Kurman, we distinguish ourselves by the quality and breadth of our legal services—as well as our unique operational structure, which encourages a culture of collaboration and entrepreneurialism. The same approach that makes our firm attractive to legal practitioners also gives clients access to experienced counsel in every area of the law.
Find out why Offit Kurman is The Better Way to protect your business, your assets and your family by connecting via our Blog, Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, YouTube, and LinkedIn pages. You can also sign up to receive LawMatters, Offit Kurman’s monthly newsletter covering a diverse selection of legal and corporate thought leadership content.
