Law360, Corporate Counsel Business Journal and Virginia Business are among the news outlets that reported on McGuireWoods’ appointment of new leaders in three of the firm’s offices, announced Dec. 15, 2023.
Maintaining the firm’s longstanding practice of rotating key leadership positions, the firm announced the appointments of office managing partners Janet Peyton in Richmond, Richard Cromwell in Norfolk and Elizabeth Zwickert Timmermans in Raleigh.
Peyton told Law360 that it means “a great deal” to serve as OMP of the Richmond office, where she has worked for her entire career.
“Internally, I’m really viewing my role as chief morale officer for our office. There is nothing I enjoy more than connecting with people and building relationships,” she said. “Externally, I want to emphasize our ongoing philanthropic projects in Richmond. It is a great city with a lot to offer, and McGuireWoods is a key employer here.”
Cromwell said the Norfolk office boasts “an outstanding work environment” where lawyers have national and international practices and “are involved in civic and business organizations that make a difference in our community.”
Timmermans recalled joining McGuireWoods as an associate in 2009 during the financial crisis. While some firms deferred start dates or canceled incoming associate classes because of the economy, McGuireWoods honored its commitment to her associate class. She said the decision was “very telling and representative of the firm.”
As office managing partner, Timmermans said, “I intend to focus on creating more opportunities for all of us to connect and collaborate in the office, as well as more opportunities to get involved in the Raleigh community together as an office.”
Virginia Business published a Dec. 18, 2023, story on the appointments of Peyton and Cromwell, and Richmond BizSense noted Peyton’s new role in its Dec. 19, 2023, roundup of local business promotions.