Law firm with South Carolina locations names new CEO

Womble Bond Dickinson LLP announced that Merrick Benn has been elected U.S. chair and CEO, effective Jan. 1.

Currently a member of the firm’s global board, Benn will succeed Betty Temple, who has served as U.S. chair and CEO since 2016, according to a news release. They will work closely with the Firm Management Committee to ensure a successful transition.

A global finance partner, Benn has 25 years of experience advising clients in equipment finance transactions, including secured financings, cross-border transactions, and structured finance, according to the release. Since joining Womble in 2009, he has held many prominent leadership positions, which, in addition to his practice, contribute to his strong financial acumen and understanding of the firm’s business operations, the release stated.

Benn was first elected to the Firm Management Committee in 2017, serving for three terms, according to the release. During that time, he was appointed to the Executive Committee, named U.S. vice chair, and served as Capital Markets Practice group land co-chair of the Diversity Committee. Benn is also a former member of the Finance & Administration, Operations, and Budget Committees, the latter of which he chaired for two years.

“Womble achieved great success under Betty’s leadership and continues to be on a tremendous growth trajectory. Our increasing prominence as a leading global law firm has attracted high-caliber talent and fueled strategic expansion into new markets,” said Benn in the release. “I am grateful for the opportunity to lead Womble through its next chapter, building on our strengths and furthering the commitment to our?core values integrity, devotion to client service, and respect for the individual.”

As U.S. chair and CEO, Benn will lead the Firm Management Committee, which is responsible for domestic strategy, operations, profitability, and structural organization, the release stated. He will also co-chair the Global Board of Womble Bond Dickinson (International) Limited alongside UK Managing Partner Paul Stewart, overseeing joint business development and inter-firm collaboration.

“An accomplished lawyer, fearless leader, and true problem solver, Merrick exemplifies the very best of Womble. As US Vice Chair and a member of the Firm Management and Executive Committees, he has been deeply involved in every important decision we’ve made in recent years. He has proven his dedication to Womble and our clients time and time again, and I have every confidence that he will lead the firm to even greater heights,” said Temple in the release. “I would also like to thank our attorneys and legal professionals for their service to the firm. I am immensely proud of what we’ve accomplished over the last nine years and look forward to navigating the firm through a successful transition.”

Temple led Womble Bond Dickinson through a period of transformational expansion, including its combination with UK-based Bond Dickinson, which created an Am Law 100 firm with more than 1,000 lawyers in 32 offices internationally. She also championed lateral and team growth in areas of strong and increasing client demand, a strategic approach that added further depth to the firm’s energy and natural resources, global business, financial services, business litigation, and intellectual property practices, among others.

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