MLA Places Lori Brown-Simmons as Executive Director at Whiteford Taylor Preston LLP

Hanover, MD (June 08, 2023) — Major, Lindsey & Africa (MLA), the world’s leading legal search firm, today announced the placement of Lori Brown-Simmons as Executive Director for Whiteford Taylor Preston LLP. The search was conducted by Rod Osborne and Karen Kleiman with MLA’s Law Firm Management practice.  

With over 200 attorneys, Whiteford Taylor Preston provides a comprehensive range of sophisticated, cost-effective business law and litigation services. The firm’s clients range from innovative start-ups to middle market companies to Fortune 100 enterprises. With a growing Mid-Atlantic footprint that includes 17 offices in Delaware, D.C., Kentucky, Maryland, New York, Pennsylvania and Virginia, Whiteford Taylor serves clients regionally, nationally and globally.

As executive director, Lori will be an integral member of Whiteford Taylor’s leadership team, serving as a business partner to the managing partner and firm leadership on all aspects of operational management and strategy. She will oversee and manage administrative areas, including accounting/finance, IT, HR, marketing and business development, recruitment and hiring, professional development, billing, data security and compliance, records, facilities and office services. Lori will also lead and direct business operations and ensure smooth and efficient operations across the firm.

“Lori is a highly accomplished law firm professional with deep knowledge of financial and operational metrics,” said Rod Osborne. “She is the perfect person to help Whiteford Taylor reach their immediate and long-term strategic goals.”

Lori brings over 20 years of experience helping companies achieve their business goals. Most recently, she served as chief operating officer for Hogan Lovells, where she led operations and drove profitability for their global Corporate and Finance practice. Before that, Lori was practice director at Dentons US. There, she led eight transactional practice groups, overseeing their day-to-day operations, and developed a metrics-based management framework. For a decade prior to that, Lori was with DLA Piper, most recently serving as national practice group director for DLA Piper. She earned her MBA from The Wharton School, an M.S. in Electrical Engineering from the University of Virginia and her B.S. in Electrical Engineering from Clarkson University.