Jeffrey Connor, who served as McGuireWoods’ chief financial officer during a period of unprecedented revenue growth and profitability, has been named the firm’s chief operating officer.
Connor will lead McGuireWoods’ team of business professionals and partner with senior management in the development and pursuit of the firm’s strategic business priorities.
Connor joined McGuireWoods as CFO in 2015 and oversaw the firm’s finance, pricing, accounting and tax functions. He collaborated with lawyers to broaden their understanding of the business fundamentals of client relationships and execute strategies for delivering value through efficient client service. He also worked with the firm’s business professionals to foster collaboration and implement cross-functional firmwide initiatives.
As CFO, Connor led McGuireWoods through a major transition of the firm’s practice management and financial system, a three-year project that continued without interruption through the COVID-19 pandemic. During his tenure, McGuireWoods’ net income and profitability reached all-time highs and the firm surpassed $1 billion in gross revenue for the first time in 2023.
Connor has 30 of years of experience in the legal industry. Before coming to McGuireWoods, he held senior management positions at two Am Law 100 firms, an Am Law 25 firm and a boutique firm ranked among the top 20 most profitable Am Law firms.
“Jeff has been a pillar of our leadership team, ensuring that we operate efficiently and effectively while delivering the highest level of service to clients,” said Managing Partner J. Tracy Walker IV. “He knows our firm and culture and as COO is fully prepared to help us attain our strategic objectives.”
Connor succeeds Richard Davis, who will leave the firm this month to pursue a new professional opportunity.
Davis joined McGuireWoods in 2019, bringing more than two decades of executive experience at professional services firms. He helped lead the firm through significant challenges, including the COVID-19 pandemic and the transition to a hybrid work environment, and oversaw important changes in the firm’s operations.
“Rich is a thoughtful, caring leader who made valuable contributions to our success over the past five years,” Walker said. “We are deeply grateful to Rich and wish him the best as he begins a new chapter in his career.”
Said Connor: “I look forward to taking on this challenge and building on the success the firm enjoyed under Rich Davis’ leadership. With world-class lawyers, talented business professionals and unwavering commitment to client service excellence, we have tools in place to be a national powerhouse law firm.”