As the firm’s chief strategy officer, Debra S. Lawrence is responsible for working with the Chair of the firm and its senior leadership team to develop and execute on client-centric growth strategies aligned with the firm’s objectives. With more than 20 years of strategic advisory experience in the legal industry, Debra leads initiatives to enhance the firm’s global competitiveness and positioning for new growth opportunities across geographies and practices. She has had a role in some of the firm’s most significant expansion in the United States, Europe, Asia and the Middle East.
Extended Profile
Debra oversees teams that are responsible for supporting practice strategy, lateral growth and integration, business operations, pricing and project management, competitive intelligence, and paralegal services. Debra’s teams work closely with the firm’s leadership team and individual partners to formulate and implement strategic and financial priorities, advance innovative business practices, and add value to our client relationships.
Leveraging nearly 20 years of pricing experience, Debra collaborates regularly with partners and clients to advise on appropriate pricing, staffing and other arrangements designed to achieve client goals in an efficient and effective manner, frequently employing innovative pricing structures and analytics. Her efforts have contributed to the firm’s recognition as a market leader and collaborative business partner to firm clients seeking advanced pricing structures.
Debra previously served as the director of business operations for the firm’s global litigation practice, working closely with firm leadership to achieve measurable objectives in support of strategic and financial goals. This included identifying business management opportunities, directing lateral partner and integration initiatives, and recommending business decisions to improve client service and satisfaction. During her tenure with the firm, Debra has created effective procedures aimed at delivering superior value to firm clients. Her leadership helped enhance the firm’s pricing capabilities and achieved significant revenue growth in addition to strong profit improvement.
Education
Drexel University, 2005, M.B.A.
Saint Joseph's University, 1993, B.S.
Awards and Affiliations
Member, Legal Industry Editorial Advisory Board, Law360 (2017)