David Graeler Discusses Managing Partner Role with Law360

David Graeler gave an extensive interview to Law360 on his role as managing partner at Nossaman. The article, titled “David Graeler Finds His Groove As Nossaman's Leader,” (subscription required) looks back on his first year as managing partner and highlights future plans for the firm. The article notes that before becoming managing partner, David “led the firm's litigation department” and that he “is the first minority managing partner in the firm's more than 80-year history.”

During the interview, David covered a number of topics with Law360. Highlights included his thoughts on:

Key accomplishments during his first year as managing partner:

We have added significant laterals in our Insurance Recovery Group in Washington, D.C. We added heft to our Pensions, Benefits and Investments Group in LA, Austin and shortly in Phoenix. We added to our Eminent Domain Group by expanding into Arizona last year and now into Texas. Those are really exciting and significant acquisitions that are core to what we do as a firm. In the process, I think we've done well to add critical mass to the D.C. office and the Austin office.

We've also added new practice group leaders and changed leaders throughout the firm. The return-to-office policy was one of the first things I had to tackle, and we landed in a good place.

We came up with a brand new associate compensation plan that just got implemented. I'm excited to see how that works. It's designed to create greater incentives for production throughout the year.

What qualities others saw in him that helped him become managing partner:

I had served in various forms of firm management for many years. I had been on the executive committee for at least five years at that point. I had been the head of litigation for quite some time, and I co-led the Real Estate Group. I think what people saw in my various experiences in firm leadership is that I always made decisions that were guided by what was in the best interest of the firm or the group, rather than what might be in my own personal best interest. That is an absolute essential quality of anyone in firm leadership, because there are going to be times that you're confronted with a decision as to whether to do something that might not be in your own personal best interests but will benefit the group. You have to be willing to make that choice every time

We also absolutely covet our culture at Nossaman. It is what has held this firm together for over 80 years. I think people saw in me someone who was going to foster the culture that we've always had but at the same time drive us and hold people accountable, and nudge people when they need it, in a nice and respectful way, but not be afraid to have the difficult conversations that need to be had.

Future plans:

We will continue to grow our attorney headcount…and continue to look at ways to reduce our real estate footprint. Because we have a hybrid working environment now, I think there is a way to move forward with fewer offices [and] that will result in a reduced real estate footprint.