Biglaw Firm’s Managing Partner Unexpectedly Gives Up Leadership Role

His resignation from the leadership role was quite abrupt.

goodbye lawyerAnd just like that… Davis Wright Tremaine lost its leader. After serving as the firm’s managing partner for just under three years Scott MacCormack has decided to step down from his role immediately. His predecessor, Jeff Gray, served as the firm’s managing partner for six years. The firm has already appointed an interim MP to replace MacCormack.

As first reported by the American Lawyer, Seattle partner-in-charge Pete Johnson will serve as the firm’s interim managing partner and will continue his practice. Here are some of the details on the curious timing of MacCormack’s move, courtesy of Am Law:

MacCormack’s resignation comes as the firm is handling end-of-year meetings focused on strategy and financials and in advance of an executive committee election scheduled in the coming weeks, according to the spokesperson, who declined to comment on the timing of the resignation.

The firm is now launching a search to find its next managing partner.

During his time as Davis Wright Tremaine’s managing partner, MacCormack not only successfully guided the firm through the pandemic but also through its robust financial expansion as well as a merger. The firm’s executive committee offered this statement on his departure:

“We are thankful to Scott for his service to the firm—guiding us through several years of the pandemic, helping oversee the launch of our new firm-wide strategic plan, leading us through the successful combination with McGonigle, and helping us finish 2023 in a very strong economic position.”

MacCormack will remain a partner at the firm.

Davis Wright Tremaine’s Managing Partner Suddenly Steps Down [American Lawyer]


Staci ZaretskyStaci Zaretsky is a senior editor at Above the Law, where she’s worked since 2011. She’d love to hear from you, so please feel free to email her with any tips, questions, comments, or critiques. You can follow her on Twitter and Threads or connect with her on LinkedIn.