Another law firm is naming a new chief operating officer in conjunction with its long-term plan, highlighting the importance of the C-suite role in long-term strategies.

New England’s Verrill Dana law firm became the latest, bringing on board legal industry C-suite veteran James Durham. The appointment coincided with a fresh five-year plan. Verrill, which has 150 years of history in Maine and has expanded into Boston and southern New England in the last 15 years, joins Stroock & Stroock & Lavan in pairing these moves. The New York firm last week announced Ralph Allen as its first COO as it unveiled its latest five-year strategic plan.