Squire Patton Boggs has made a series of leadership changes in the US, as well as installing a new group leader for its global environmental, safety and health practice.
The US leadership appointments include Keith Shumate, who will become managing partner of the firm’s Columbus, Ohio office, while Alethia Nancoo takes the post as managing partner of the Washington DC office. Francesca Crisera Ruiz becomes managing partner of the firm’s Northern California offices, and Alex Arensberg will become deputy managing partner of the Denver office.
In addition, Kendra Sherman has been named practice group leader of the global environmental, safety and health practice, which is also Arensberg’s specialist area.
Shumate, a litigation partner, has more than 25 years’ experience litigating complex matters for major corporations, alongside advisory work for global healthcare, manufacturing, retail and financial services businesses. He succeeds Traci Martinez, who has led the Columbus office since 2020 and was recently appointed global co-managing partner.
Nancoo is a partner in the public and infrastructure finance practice, former member of the global board and global head of transportation and infrastructure finance, specialising in airport finance. She advises government and private airport operators across the US and the Caribbean. She succeeds Michael Curto, who has served as managing partner of the Washington DC office since 2015.
Ruiz leads the firm’s global technology M&A group, advising clients on strategic acquisitions and divestitures across the technology sector. She also serves on the firm’s AI subcommittee. She succeeds Mark Dosker, who has led the Northern California offices since 2021.
Arensberg, an environmental and health and safety partner, advises clients on regulatory compliance issues arising under a broad array of federal and state environmental laws. He will work alongside Denver managing partner and global co-managing partner Peter Gould to support the firm’s continued growth throughout the Mountain West region.
Sherman, meanwhile, has more than 20 years’ experience advising clients in various industries on complex regulatory, compliance and environmental litigation issues. She also serves as the US national hiring chair, overseeing talent acquisition, as well as associate recruitment and development across all of the firm’s US offices.
“These appointments reflect the depth of talent across our firm and our commitment to developing leaders who embody our collaborative culture and client-first approach,” said chair and global CEO Mark Ruehlmann.
He added: “Our firm is performing strongly, and these leadership appointments position us to build on that momentum. Keith, Alethia, Francesca, Alex and Kendra each bring outstanding experience and a clear vision for helping our clients succeed, supporting our people and expanding the firm.”
The appointments follow Martinez and Gould in June being named global co-managing partners to lead its US LLP – which accounts for 36 of the firm’s 48 offices – replacing Michelle Connell, who held that position since 2021.
London’s Andrew Wilkinson was earlier appointed as European managing partner, replacing long-serving Leeds lawyer Jonathan Jones.
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