Biglaw Managing Partner Ditches Firm Life To Aid Refugee Children

Reed Smith global managing partner Alexander “Sandy” Thomas announced that he’s leaving the firm he’s managed for the past decade to serve as the chief legal officer of KIND, short for “Kids In Need of Defense.” The organization advocates for refugee and immigrant children, including providing free legal defense to children facing immigration proceedings, despite the Department of Justice’s insistence that 3-year-olds can competently represent themselves in legal proceedings.

Yes, that’s actually something a senior Justice Department official has said.

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Thomas leaves Reed Smith having grown revenue from $1.152 billion in revenue in 2014 to $1.44 billion in 2021 and delivered a little over half a million dollar increase in profits per equity partner. He will be replaced at the firm by Catherine “Casey” Ryan — what’s with all the nicknames over there? — the current global head of legal personnel.

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Seemingly a smoother transition than the one that installed Thomas!

“This is a chance to take my career and my life as as a lawyer in a new direction,” Thomas said. Ryan applauded Thomas’ tenure, calling him a “strong, steady and inspirational leader for this firm.”

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Congratulations to all.

Reed Smith Global Managing Partner to Leave Firm for CLO Role

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Joe Patrice is a senior editor at Above the Law and co-host of Thinking Like A Lawyer. Feel free to email any tips, questions, or comments. Follow him on Twitter if you’re interested in law, politics, and a healthy dose of college sports news. Joe also serves as a Managing Director at RPN Executive Search.

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Biglaw, Casey Ryan, Reed Smith, Sandy Thomas