January 7, 2020—Barclay Damon announces Lizz Acee, partner, has been elected to the firm’s Management Committee as managing director of major markets, overseeing the firm’s Boston, New Haven, New York, Newark, and Washington DC offices, effective January 1.
The former president of LeClairRyan, Acee is a member of Barclay Damon’s Commercial Litigation and Labor & Employment Practice Areas and the Canada-US cross-border team. She represents clients in proceedings before both state and federal administrative agencies, including the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC), the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB), the Connecticut Commission on Human Rights and Opportunities, and state and federal departments of labor. Acee also defends companies in business-related disputes, including in claims involving state-of-the art software and technology, trade secret and misappropriation claims, unfair-competition claims, and business-defamation claims.
Acee is the third woman elected to the firm’s seven-member Management Committee, serving alongside Connie Cahill, deputy managing partner, and Melissa Zambri, managing director of the Albany office. Her election makes the governing body approximately 43-percent women, well above the 20- to 25-percent national average, according to the National Association of Women Lawyers 2019 Survey on the Promotion and Retention of Women in Law Firms.
“I am deeply honored to accept this role,” Acee said. “It will be a privilege to lead the skilled and dedicated attorneys and staff of our Boston, New Haven, New York, Newark, and Washington DC offices and to work collaboratively with my Management Committee colleagues to advance Barclay Damon’s strategic objectives. I am especially excited to partner with Connie and Melissa on continuing to strengthen the firm’s inclusive culture and advocating for the next generation of women attorneys.”
“Lizz is an outstanding attorney and leader, and her extensive knowledge of these geographic markets will greatly benefit us as we continue to grow our presence and client base in those locations.” John Langan, the firm’s managing partner, said. “She has proven herself to be a strong asset at Barclay Damon, and I know I speak for everyone on the Management Committee when I say we are thrilled to have her on our team.”
Acee was named to the Connecticut Magazine 2019 Top 25 Women Attorneys in Connecticut list, and she serves as an adjunct professor at Yale Law School, where she teaches advanced trial practice courses. She received her JD from Case Western Reserve University School of Law and her bachelor’s from the University at Buffalo.
Barclay Damon attorneys team across offices and practices to provide customized, targeted solutions grounded in industry knowledge and a deep understanding of our clients’ businesses. With nearly 300 attorneys, Barclay Damon is a leading law firm that operates from a strategic platform of offices located in the Northeastern United States and Toronto. For more information, visit our award-winning website at barclaydamon.com.