PHILADELPHIA, Oct. 2, 2014 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Pepper Hamilton LLP announced today that Thomas M. Gallagher has been elected Chair of the Firm's Executive Committee, succeeding Judge Louis J. Freeh, who held the post for two years.
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A former prosecutor in the criminal division of the U.S. Attorney's Office in the Eastern District of Pennsylvania, Gallagher joined Pepper Hamilton in 2003 and built the Firm's White Collar and Investigations Practice Group. He represents clients in white collar criminal matters, corporate investigations and complex civil litigation. Under his leadership, Pepper's White Collar and Investigations Practice Group has grown significantly. He has served on Pepper's Executive Committee since 2012.
Judge Freeh said he was pleased to be transferring the leadership to such able hands. "The future of Pepper Hamilton has never been brighter, and Tom Gallagher will continue to build on the Firm's outstanding reputation. At the beginning of August, I advised the Executive Committee that I intended to step down as Chair and I asked them to plan for my succession. Tom's selection as Chair is the result of that process."
"We are delighted to recognize the outstanding contributions of Louie Freeh and Tom Gallagher," said Pepper CEO Scott Green. "We are very grateful to Judge Freeh for his leadership, dedication and commitment to the Firm. As Chair, he led the Firm to record growth, while managing an impressive book of business and leading a number of high-profile investigative matters and monitorships. We appreciate his many efforts in significantly expanding the Firm's national footprint.
"Tom Gallagher is exceptionally well qualified to assume the role of Chair of the Executive Committee. He has led the White Collar and Investigations Practice Group to record performance. He enjoys the respect of his Partners, Firm-wide."
Gallagher said, "I am honored to be named Chair of a Firm with such a long and storied history as Pepper. Judge Freeh, and, before him, Nina Gussack and Barry Abelson, laid out a strategic vision for Pepper to become bigger, stronger, bolder, more diverse, more global and more profitable. I particularly want to thank Judge Freeh for his two years of leadership as Chair."
Gussack added, "Pepper Hamilton is in excellent hands with Tom Gallagher as our Chair. His vision and leadership will continue to move us forward as a Firm and help us achieve our goals."
Julia D. Corelli will continue to serve as Vice Chair of the Executive Committee. Corelli also co-chairs Pepper's Commercial Department and Funds Services Practice Group, a core constituent of Pepper's Investment Funds Industry Group (IFIG). Thomas J. Cole, Jr. will continue in his role as Managing Partner of the Firm.
"The Pepper Hamilton leadership team is exceptionally strong and committed to the future of our Firm," observed Gallagher. "I'm especially pleased to be joined by Scott, Julie and Tom on that team."
About Pepper Hamilton
Pepper Hamilton LLP is a multi-practice law firm with more than 500 lawyers nationally. The Firm provides corporate, litigation and regulatory legal services to leading businesses, governmental entities, nonprofit organizations and individuals throughout the nation and the world. The Firm was founded in 1890.
