A year after Bryan Cave Leighton Paisner was formed following a trans-Atlantic merger, leadership at the firm in 2019 turned to McKinsey & Co. to plot out a strategy for how to face the future.

But recognizing that a document, however well-researched, from a top-flight consultancy is worthless without securing buy-in from partners and other stakeholders, the firm also took measures to shake up its C-suite. BCLP tasked an existing partner with overseeing its reorganization, placing him in the new role of chief transformation officer, while bringing in a new chief operating officer from Baker McKenzie.