Paul Pearlman Will Retire at the End of the Year After Leading the
Firm for 19 Years; Executive Director Nicholas Tortorella Will Retire
after 18 Years
NEW YORK–(BUSINESS WIRE)–Kramer Levin Naftalis & Frankel LLP announced today that the firm has
elected Paul Schoeman and Howard Spilko co-managing partners, effective
January 1, 2020. Paul Pearlman, who has led the firm as managing partner
since August 2000, will step down at the end of this year as part of a
long-planned succession strategy. Executive Director Nicholas
Tortorella, who joined the firm in 2001, will also be retiring at the
end of the year.
Schoeman is co-chair of the firm’s white collar defense and
investigations practice. Spilko is co-chair of the firm’s corporate
practice.
The move comes at a time of stability, innovation and financial growth
at Kramer Levin. In 2017 the firm topped $2 million in profits per
partner for the first time, and in 2018 the firm did so again while
recording its third consecutive year of record financial results. Last
year the firm also celebrated its 50th anniversary.
“It has been an honor to lead Kramer Levin, and I’m extremely proud of
what we have accomplished,” Pearlman said. “It is fitting that Nick
Tortorella and I are retiring together, as we managed this firm together
for so many years, and he has been an integral part of the firm’s
success. The firm is in a strong position, and I have the utmost
confidence in the abilities of co-managing partners Howard and Paul to
ensure Kramer Levin continues to provide the highest level of client
service in the industry. They have both played important roles in the
firm and epitomize the firm’s creative, proactive and pragmatic
approach.”
“It has been a great privilege to work alongside Paul all these years
and assist in guiding the firm,” Tortorella said. “I am particularly
proud of Kramer Levin’s culture. Protecting and promoting that culture
has been my highest priority, and it is gratifying to know that it is
stronger than ever.”
“Paul and Nick have done an exceptional job guiding Kramer Levin and
setting the firm on a course for continued success,” Spilko said. “We
are deeply grateful for the many valuable contributions Paul and Nick
have made over nearly two decades of stellar service to the firm, our
partners, associates and staff; they will be missed by all of us. Paul
Schoeman and I look forward to building on the innovative strategies
that have placed the firm in such a strong position to compete
successfully in a dynamic legal marketplace.”
Spilko joined Kramer Levin in 1996. He counsels and represents clients
in domestic and cross-border mergers and acquisitions and joint
ventures, with an emphasis on middle-market private equity transactions.
He works with a broad range of clients, from private equity firms, hedge
funds and entrepreneurial ventures to large, well-known multinational
companies.
Schoeman defends clients in complex and often high-profile criminal,
civil and regulatory matters involving every aspect of white collar
crime, including securities fraud, money laundering, violations of the
Foreign Corrupt Practices Act, health care fraud, insider trading,
accounting fraud and tax evasion. He originally joined Kramer Levin in
2003. He left in 2007 to serve as the chief assistant U.S. attorney for
the Eastern District of New York, and then rejoined the firm in 2009.
“The entire firm thanks Paul and Nick for their extraordinary
leadership,” Schoeman said. “As we move forward we will build on the
culture of respect, professionalism and service that epitomizes the firm
and empowers our lawyers to guide clients through their most significant
challenges.”
About Kramer Levin Naftalis & Frankel LLP
Kramer Levin provides its clients proactive, creative and pragmatic
solutions that address today’s most challenging legal issues. The firm
is headquartered in New York with offices in Silicon Valley and Paris
and fosters a strong culture of involvement in public and community
service. For more information, visit www.kramerlevin.com.
Contacts
Jennifer Manton
Kramer Levin Naftalis & Frankel LLP
212-715-7612
[email protected]
