McGuireWoods has appointed Taylor W. French as chair of the firm’s Tax & Employee Benefits Department and Shelby S. Guilbert, Jr. as chair of the Commercial Litigation Department. The appointments, which take effect June 1, 2026, continue the firm’s longstanding tradition of rotating key leadership positions.
French is a partner in the firm’s Charlotte office and leader of the Employee Benefits Practice Group. He counsels clients on the design and implementation of incentive programs and tax-qualified retirement plans. He also advises clients on the benefits and compensation aspects of corporate transactions, including private equity deals and mergers and acquisitions. French will succeed Atlanta partner Gerald Thomas, who has led the department since 2018. Beginning in June, Thomas will serve as deputy managing partner of the firm’s corporate practice.
Guilbert is a partner in the firm’s Atlanta office and a member of the firm’s nationally recognized Insurance Recovery Practice Group. He represents businesses, manufacturers, financial institutions, and healthcare providers in insurance recovery actions, high-stakes contract disputes, and cross-border litigation. Guilbert succeeds partner Michael Herring, who has chaired the department since 2023 and previously served as managing partner of the firm’s Richmond office.
“We thank Taylor and Shelby for taking on these important leadership roles. Their skill and insight will help us deliver the highest level of service to our clients,” said McGuireWoods Managing Partner J. Tracy Walker IV. “We are also deeply grateful to Gerald and Mike for their dedicated service as department chairs. Their leadership has strengthened our practices and positioned us for continued success.”