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News | 03.11.19

Morrison Cohen Chairman and Managing Partner David Scherl to Be Named Chairman Emeritus - Partnership Elects Steven M. Cooperman and Y. David Scharf to Serve as Vice Chairmen

March 11, 2019 – Morrison Cohen LLP announced today that David A. Scherl, who is 56 years young and at the peak of his career, will, effective January 16, 2020, be stepping down as the Firm's Chairman and Managing Partner, positions he was elected to and will have served in for over 17 years. At such time, he will assume the role of the Firm's Chairman Emeritus.

“It has been my privilege to lead Morrison Cohen through an incredible period of growth and accomplishment for the Firm,” said David Scherl, Morrison Cohen Chairman and Managing Partner. “I believe that now is the right time for me personally, and for the Firm, to transition to our next generation of leadership. Morrison Cohen has a deep bench of talented professionals, and my decision is only possible because we have outstanding leaders ready to lead our Firm. I am also very delighted to be able to create new financial opportunities and incentives for partners who continually play very important roles with many of the Firm's significant clients and relationships.”

As the next step in the Firm's succession plan, the partnership elected Steven M. Cooperman and Y. David Scharf to serve as Vice Chairmen, effective immediately. Steven and David Scharf will also lead the Firm's Transition Committee, which has been appointed by Morrison Cohen's Executive Committee to oversee the leadership transition.

“We are proud that David Scherl leads by example in making this move, which is a tremendous opportunity, and puts our clients' and Firm's best interests first,” said Y. David Scharf, Vice Chairman and Partner. “Our Firm has always taken the most pragmatic approach when advising clients on the future – succession transitions at mid-sized and boutique law firms typically occur much later in a managing partner's career, and David Scherl's decision to transition at this stage in his life is consistent with the ideals and values that he has instilled in our Firm. His decision, coupled with the strong foundation David has built over the last 17 years, allows for the Firm's talented, next generation of partners to lead the Firm into a strong and prosperous future.”

Scherl will continue to be involved with the day-to-day management and operations of the Firm through January 15, 2020. Thereafter in his role as Chairman Emeritus, he will be focused on the day-to-day relationship management and counseling of a significant number of the Firm's vital client relationships.

“Morrison Cohen is very fortunate to have had David Scherl's steady, consistent, and successful stewardship for many years,” said Steven Cooperman, Vice Chairman and Partner. “We recognize what good leadership can mean to an organization, and it's our utmost priority to ensure a smooth transfer of knowledge and responsibilities so that our Firm continues to thrive and grow for years to come and our clients continue to receive the high quality of legal services they have come to expect from Morrison Cohen. This transition ensures that Morrison Cohen's partners will continue to be valued and further economically incented to reflect their important contributions to our clients and to the future growth of our Firm.”

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