Thompson Coburn Positions for Next-Gen Leadership: Announces Next Firm Chair & Senior Leaders

Thompson Coburn is pleased to announce a suite of leadership transitions, including a new firm chair, new Executive Committee member and new Litigation Department leadership.

These moves come at a time of sustained financial, geographic and practice growth for the firm and demonstrate the successful execution of its long-term strategic plan to transition seamlessly to next-gen leadership. The moves also reflect the firm’s commitment to national expansion and its diversity priorities.

Current Management and Executive Committee member and Litigation Department Chair Chris Hohn has been elected Chair of the firm effective August 2024. Hohn will succeed current Chair Roman Wuller, who will conclude his planned tenure at that time.

“I am delighted to announce the Management Committee’s enthusiastic, unanimous decision to appoint Chris as the next Chair of Thompson Coburn. When I became Chair in 2020, I committed to use my term to position the firm for the next generation and to improve our capabilities to service our clients,” Wuller said. “These moves cement those objectives, with Chris being dedicated, driven and in an excellent position to shepherd the firm into its next phase of growth.”

To ensure a smooth transition for client relationships and firm governance, Wuller and Hohn will collaborate closely during the next year.

“I personally would like to thank Roman for his mentorship and leadership, and for agreeing to stay onboard an extra year to ensure the smooth transition to our next management team,” Hohn said. “We would not be in this very positive position were it not for his forward-thinking and inclusive leadership.”

Having joined Thompson Coburn as a summer associate, Hohn has spent his entire career at the firm. For more than a decade, he has served on the Management Committee and co-chaired the Business Litigation group – the firm’s largest practice. His leadership roles have been many and varied – from chairing the Associate Review Committee for Litigation and mentoring many associates to serving on the Women’s Initiative Committee and holding roles on multiple firm task forces focused on strategic growth.

For the last three years, Hohn has chaired the 200-plus member Litigation Department and served on the Executive Committee.

“During the myriad of challenges over the last several years, Chris has been instrumental in helping to grow our national footprint while reinforcing our commitment to clients,” Wuller said. “Chris has been a steadfast, strategic leader with the demonstrated agility to succeed in both good and challenging times.”

Management and Executive Committee member and Corporate Department Co-Chair Evan Goldfarb echoed Wuller’s sentiments. “We are all very excited about working with Chris in his new role as he truly embodies what we value, who we are and where we’re going,” she said. “Chris and I have worked closely together over the last decade, and together we plan to continue Roman’s tradition of engaging all of management to help lead this growing and vibrant firm.”

Additional key changes in leadership are:

• Management Committee member Adrienne Clair has been appointed to the Executive Committee, continuing the firm’s move to expand Executive Committee representation beyond St. Louis. Based in Washington, DC, Clair is a nationally recognized energy lawyer, who formerly chaired Thompson Coburn’s energy group and has helped to build that practice into a national powerhouse.
  

• Management Committee member and Human Resources Practice Co-Chair Laura Jordan has joined Hohn as Co-Chair of the Litigation Department. A nationally ranked practitioner, Jordan will become Chair of the department when Hohn becomes Firm Chair.
  

• Tax Credits Practice Chair Jarrod Sharp has been appointed to the Management Committee. Sharp also chairs the firm’s Client Relations Committee, which focuses on client service and feedback, client teams and practice innovation.
  

“We are proud to have these talented and committed individuals contributing to the firm’s strategic plan and governance in key roles,” Wuller said. “Thompson Coburn is poised for continued success in the coming years, and our leadership team will provide incredibly capable guidance as we move forward.”