News Release

Vision Realized: Succession Planning, Development Plant Seeds for Next Generation Leaders

August 14, 2024

McGlinchey Stafford is pleased to announce that, with the most recent addition of Matt Manning, its executive Policy Committee now comprises a majority of “next generation” leaders from the Gen X and Millennial cohorts. This diverse group reflects the firm’s strategic focus on progressive leadership through succession planning and leadership development opportunities. As of August, 70% of the Policy Committee and 88% of Office Managing Attorneys are Gen X and Millennial leaders. The Policy Committee sets policy for the firm and provides the framework for the Managing Member’s management decisions.

“Some years ago, we began implementing a number of initiatives to develop our leadership pipeline at every level throughout the firm,” said Michael Ferachi, who is serving his second term as McGlinchey’s Managing Member, a role he has held since January, 2021. “I am proud to see the fruit of those efforts we put in place before, during, and since the pandemic as new leaders continue to emerge across our footprint and practice areas.”

The Policy Committee’s composition, including seasoned and emerging leaders, underscores the firm’s emphasis on evolving governance and long-term growth. McGlinchey’s governance structure was formally updated in 2020, one component of which involved setting term limits. This shift has ultimately led to new members being installed on the Policy Committee and as Office Managing Attorneys and chairs of various committees. The Policy Committee is composed primarily of elected Equity Members who may serve up to two three-year staggered terms, at the end of which they must rotate off of the Policy Committee.

“Progress requires sustained, firm-wide effort,” Michael Ferachi said. “We are confident that this diverse group will continue to drive McGlinchey forward, positioning our firm to serve clients for the next fifty years in a culture where everyone can thrive.”

The Policy Committee’s newest member, Matt Manning, is Managing Member of McGlinchey’s Houston office. A litigator who joined McGlinchey in 2012, Matt focuses his practice on financial services litigation and creditors rights, complex commercial litigation, and appellate law at the state and federal levels. A substantial part of Matt’s practice revolves around mortgage lending and servicing as well as auto lending and financing. He is a Past Chair of the Houston Bar Association’s Consumer and Commercial Law Section and was recognized as a Texas Super Lawyers “Rising Star” in Business Litigation from 2017–2019. Licensed in Texas and Oklahoma, Matt holds a J.D. from St. Mary’s University School of Law and a B.A. in Political Science from the University of Houston.

Through the #McGlincheyForward initiative, established by Michael Ferachi in 2021, the firm has invested considerably into nurturing a workplace culture where diverse perspectives are respected and every team member feels empowered to contribute. This culture supports the firm’s goals of innovation, collaboration, and excellence in client service, as well as mentorship, professional development, and open communication so that all employees have opportunities for growth and advancement.

Additionally, in September 2021, McGlinchey began the considerable undertaking to become Midsize Mansfield Certified. That process culminated with McGlinchey becoming fully certified in May 2023, and the firm has remained dedicated to the recertification process since that time. As participants in the second certification cohort, McGlinchey was among the first 100 firms to achieve this recognition to date in the U.S. and Canada. The certification measures whether firms have considered historically underrepresented lawyers for leadership and governance roles, equity partner promotions, formal client pitches, lateral lawyer hiring, and more. The process also requires firms to embed transparency into their advancement processes through written leadership role descriptions, clearly defined pathways to leadership, and open access to that information.