Pillsbury Names David Dekker Vice Chair, Chair Elect

WASHINGTON, DC—Pillsbury today announced Washington, DC litigation partner David Dekker has been elected as the firm’s new Vice Chair and Chair Elect. When he becomes chair on January 1, 2017, Dekker will succeed Jim Rishwain, who became Pillsbury’s chair in 2006 and who will complete his fourth term on December 31, 2016, after which he will become Chair Emeritus.

Dekker was chosen by a vote of the firm’s partnership following a comprehensive succession-planning process that began in April after Rishwain announced he would complete his fourth and final term at the end of next year.

“I am greatly honored my partners have chosen me to succeed Jim after his many years of exemplary service to Pillsbury,” Dekker said. “Jim led us to our most profitable years on record. During his leadership, Pillsbury has made and will continue to make bold investments such as opening in strategic markets across the globe and bringing aboard numerous market-leading partners and practice groups. Pillsbury handles sophisticated transactional, litigation and regulatory matters for some of the world’s leading companies. The firm’s fiscally conservative approach—including carrying virtually no term debt on our balance sheet—has been a powerful tool in recruiting new partners. With this strong foundation, I look to further strengthen and build on our enviable client base, our global platform and our collaborative culture.”

Rishwain stated: “I have worked alongside Dave closely for the past four years and look forward to assisting him in his new leadership role in the coming year and beyond. I am proud of the many accomplishments Pillsbury has achieved during the past nine years of my chairmanship, and I anticipate a strong finish by seeing through a number of key initiatives in the coming 15 months. Pillsbury will benefit from many great years ahead with Dave at the helm. He has set an admirably high standard in his practice as well as his focus on client service. I am confident he will bring a fresh perspective and new innovations to Pillsbury as we continue to grow and better serve our clients.”

Dekker has had a distinguished career as a top-ranked civil litigator. He has consistently held a Chambers Tier 1 ranking, has been named to the elite BTI Client Service All-Stars and MVP Lists and recently was chosen as Washington, DC’s 2016 Lawyer of the Year in Construction Law by Best Lawyers in America. His experience includes a wide range of civil litigation, including complex insurance coverage disputes, construction claims and other commercial matters.

Dekker joined Pillsbury in 2011 after serving as a partner at several major law firms. He earned his J.D. in 1981 from Cornell Law School and his B.A. in 1978 from Denison University.

During Rishwain’s tenure to date, Pillsbury achieved its most profitable year in 2014; opened offices in China, the Middle East and the U.S., including in Austin, Texas; and built a global operations center in Nashville, Tenn., with more than 170 professionals and eight attorneys. Rishwain was instrumental in integrating the partnership and practices after two large cross-country mergers. He also has extended the firm’s legacy as a leader on diversity and inclusion.

About Pillsbury Winthrop Shaw Pittman LLP

Pillsbury is a full-service law firm with an industry focus on energy & natural resources, financial services including financial institutions, real estate & construction and technology. Based in the world's major financial, technology and energy centers, Pillsbury counsels clients on global business, regulatory and litigation matters. We work in multidisciplinary teams that allow us to understand our clients’ objectives, anticipate trends and bring a 360-degree perspective to complex business and legal issues—helping clients to take greater advantage of new opportunities, meet and exceed their objectives and better mitigate risk. This collaborative work style helps produce the results our clients seek.