Blank Rome has a new chief operating officer in Shonette Gaston, who departed the same position at litigation boutique Robins Kaplan last month after nearly four years. She replaces a litigator who has served in the operations leadership role since 2007.

Based in New York, Gaston will oversee day-to-day administrative functions, including human resources, information services and technology, marketing and business development, operations and practice management and diversity and inclusion initiatives. Firm leaders have also tasked her with serving as a “strategic partner” with the firm’s executive committee and partner board, according to a statement by the firm.