10 COOs in law firms
Before becoming chief operating officer, seven of these law firm COOs held another title at the same firm, such as Chief Client Officer, Chief Practice Management Officer, Chief Talent Officer, Controller or Director of Growth and Operations. The other three stepped in from a regional administration role at Winston & Strawn LLP, a CFO seat at Electronic Payment Exchange (EPX) and a COO post at PATTERSON IP Law, so firms can compare growing a COO from within with hiring one.
Professionals to explore
Angela Quinn
LinkedInExperience: Chief Operating Officer · Husch Blackwell
Husch Blackwell's Chief Operating Officer since January 2025, Angela Quinn oversees all legal and business operations that affect the client experience, after Chief Client Officer there (2017–2025). Quinn, an attorney, was also Director of Operations & Strategic Growth (2012–2017) and a Partner (2000–2012) at Husch Blackwell, a fit for questions on a lawyer moving into the COO seat.
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David Rue
LinkedInExperience: Chief Operating Officer · Sherrard Roe Voigt & Harbison
Second law firm COO jobs and the revenue side of operations are where David Rue fits: Chief Operating Officer at Sherrard Roe Voigt & Harbison since October 2023, after Chief Operating Officer at PATTERSON IP Law (2021–2023). Rue was also Founder of Realize Legal Consulting (2020–2021) and Chief Revenue Officer at The Concinnity Company (2019–2020).
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Elizabeth Morgan
LinkedInExperience: Former Chief Operating Officer · Ballard Spahr LLP
Practice management is the path Elizabeth Morgan took to Chief Operating Officer at Ballard Spahr LLP in July 2026, after Chief Practice Management Officer (2024–2026). Morgan's other Ballard Spahr titles are Director of Practice Management (2011–2024) and Marketing Manager (2003–2011), so Morgan is a good match for questions on building a COO role out of practice management.
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James Schwarz
LinkedInExperience: Chief Operating Officer · Shartsis Friese LLP
James Schwarz has been Chief Operating Officer at Shartsis Friese LLP since April 2017, directing all business and administrative operations of the firm, including finance, human resources, information services, conflicts, facilities, leasing, marketing, support staff and recruiting. Schwarz held Director of Administration and Regional Director of Administration roles at Winston & Strawn LLP (2005–2007 and 2009–2017), Bingham McCutchen LLP (2007–2009) and Milbank, Tweed, Hadley & McCloy LLP (1988–2005).
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Katie Burns
LinkedInExperience: Former Chief Operating Officer · Blackwell Burke P.A.
Katie Burns was Chief Operating Officer at Blackwell Burke P.A. from 2020 to 2026, after Controller there (2005–2020), and in their own words their career progressed from Controller to Chief Operating Officer. Burns was Controller at Jensen, Bell, Converse & Erickson (2002–2005), Senior Accountant at CB Richard Ellis (2000–2002), and in 2026 a Law Firm Operations Consultant for COO assessment.
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Nancy Michener
LinkedInExperience: Chief Operating Officer · Maron Marvel
Nancy Michener has been Chief Operating Officer at Maron Marvel since January 2016. At Electronic Payment Exchange (EPX), Michener was Chief Financial Officer (2004–2015) and Chief Executive Officer (2014); other CFO titles were at Omicron Development LLC (1999–2004) and the Kimble Division of Owens Illinois at O-I (1994–1999), a fit for questions on bringing outside finance experience into a law firm COO role.
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Nicole Bienko
LinkedInExperience: Former Chief Operating Officer · Lyons & Associates, P.C.
In September 2025, Nicole Bienko became Chief Operating Officer at Lyons & Associates, P.C., after Director of Growth and Operations there (2022–2025). Bienko was Office Manager Director of Operations at Mattia, McBride & Grieco, P.C. (2011–2022), and describes a focus on law firm operations, growth and multi-office leadership, a fit for questions on multi-office law firm operations.
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Regan L Lemke
LinkedInExperience: Chief Operating Officer · Polsinelli
At Polsinelli, Regan L Lemke has been Chief Operating Officer since December 2025, and their LinkedIn profile says Lemke leads AI, legal practice management and shared services. Lemke also held Chief Practice Strategy Officer Chief of Staff (2024–2026) and Chief Of Staff (2019–2026) there, working alongside the Chairman and CEO and the executive team, and was Special Projects Manager (2018–2019).
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Sonia Menon
LinkedInExperience: Chief Operating Officer · Neal, Gerber & Eisenberg LLP
Chief Operating Officer at Neal, Gerber & Eisenberg LLP since March 2014, Sonia Menon oversees management of the firm's day-to-day operations, including talent management, information technology and knowledge management. Menon was Chief Talent Officer at the same firm (2001–2014) and Recruiting Manager at Gardner, Carton & Douglas (1997–2001), a fit for questions on pairing talent strategy with firm operations.
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Tess DiPonio
LinkedInExperience: Chief Operating Officer · Goodmans LLP
Based in Canada, Tess DiPonio has been Chief Operating Officer at Goodmans LLP since April 2024. DiPonio's other Goodmans titles are Managing Director (2023–2024), Associate Managing Director (2022–2023), Director, Human Resources (2020–2022) and Director, Law Clerk Programs (2008–2020), which suits questions on moving from HR and law clerk programs into the COO role.
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Choose the right perspective
For a COO role that grows out of client or practice work, Angela Quinn, Elizabeth Morgan and Regan L Lemke are the closest match, while Nancy Michener and Katie Burns hold finance titles (CFO and Controller) behind their COO roles. Sonia Menon and Tess DiPonio moved up through talent and HR work; James Schwarz fits questions on directing every administrative function at a firm, David Rue has been COO at two firms, and Nicole Bienko's titles pair growth with operations.
Questions to take into the conversation
- 01Should a law firm's first COO come from practice management, finance or talent, and what does each background tend to miss?
- 02Which functions, such as finance, IT, recruiting, conflicts and facilities, should report to a law firm COO rather than to the managing partner?
- 03How does a law firm COO divide decisions with partners and practice group leaders without slowing down client work?
About this directory
This is a professional research starting point based on business profile data retrieved on . Titles and companies reflect that source snapshot; roles marked former had ended by then. Check the linked profiles for current details. Inclusion does not imply Instant Expert membership or availability.