Eckert Seamans Announces New Chief Executive Officer and Executive Committee Transitions
April 19, 2023
Firm Calls on Deep Bench Strength in Naming New CEO and Executive Leadership Team
National law firm Eckert Seamans has appointed Scott D. Cessar as its next Chief Executive Officer, effective May 1, 2023. Cessar succeeds Timothy Q. Hudak, the firm’s CEO since 2018. Hudak will continue to serve in an executive role as the newly elected Chair of the Board of Directors. Jack McGinley, a seasoned trial lawyer and trusted counselor, completed his term as Chair of the Board yesterday.
Cessar has spent his entire legal career of more than 35 years with Eckert Seamans and has held several management positions within the firm, including Member-In-Charge of the firm’s Pittsburgh office and Chair of the Construction and Alternative Dispute Resolution practice group. He is a nationally recognized construction litigator, as well as a mediator for complex commercial disputes.
“I am humbled at the opportunity to lead a firm at which I have spent my entire legal career, and one that I have cherished over the years,” said Cessar. “We have an exceptional team of lawyers from across the firm’s platform who are excited about the future, dedicated to our clients’ interests, and driven to advance the firm forward for our next 65 years and beyond.”
Hudak commented: “I am honored to serve as Chair of the Board of Directors for Eckert Seamans and to support the transition to the newly elected executive leadership team at the firm. Working together, we are committed to growing Eckert Seamans in key markets and practice areas, and delivering superior legal work as a full-service, national law firm.”
In addition to the appointment of Cessar as CEO and Hudak as Chair of the Board, the firm also selected the Executive Committee for the 2023-2024 term. The new leadership team includes accomplished and well-respected practitioners from across the firm’s practice groups and geographic locations, as follows:
- Scott Cessar (Pittsburgh) Chief Executive Officer
- Mark Reardon (Wilmington) Chair, Executive Committee
- Ryan J. Cassidy (Philadelphia)
- Grant Coffield (Pittsburgh)
- Michael Flammia (Boston)
- Clare Gallagher (Pittsburgh)
- Evelyn Sahr (Washington, D.C.)
Mark Reardon, a litigator in the firm’s Wilmington office, will serve as Chair of the Executive Committee.
McGinley stated: “I, along with the entire Eckert Seamans community, congratulate Scott, Tim, and the members of the Executive Committee on their selection. We anticipate exciting changes under their leadership, as well as the continued values that Eckert Seamans leaders have always demonstrated for their clients and colleagues. I am honored to have served the firm and look forward to continuing to practice at Eckert Seamans.”
In the past six months, Eckert Seamans has added approximately 20 attorneys to its firm ranks, including nine Members, nine Associates, one Senior Attorney, and one Counsel. These additions cover multiple practices, including Aviation, Commercial Litigation, Data Privacy, Government Relations, Intellectual Property, Mass Tort, Product Liability, Professional Liability, Real Estate, and Utilities & Telecom across eight firmwide office locations. The newly elected leaders will continue to advance the firm’s strategic growth plan, as well as strengthen the committed principles of the firm.