Boies Schiller Flexner Names Likely Successors to Famous Founder

David Boies’s law firm, Boies Schiller Flexner, has nominated two lawyers to serve as its next generation of managing partners as the litigation powerhouse transitions leadership away from its famous, eponymous founder.

The firm’s executive committee recommended New York-based Nick Gravante and London-based Natasha Harrison to serve as managing partners alongside Boies and Jonathan Schiller, who have controlled the firm since its 1997 founding, according to an internal e-mail obtained by Bloomberg Law.

The firm’s partners still need to vote on the recommendation, but that is typically a formality following leadership’s unanimous support. The Wall Street Journal first reported the news and that the leadership vote would take place this weekend.

“Nick and I appreciate the confidence David, Jonathan, and the Executive Committee have shown in recommending us for selection as managing partners,” Harrison, who joined the firm to open its London office in 2013, said in a statement. “If the firm approves this recommendation, we look forward to working with them to continue the firm’s record of unparalleled service to both private and pro bono clients.”

Gravante joined Boies Schiller Flexner in 2000 and previously worked with Boies at Cravath Swaine & Moore.

That is the firm Boies left to launch what is now a 300-plus lawyer firm whose equity partners make, on average, more than $3 million a year in profits, according to the latest AmLaw rankings.

Boies has become a known commodity beyond the legal profession for work including representing Al Gore in the recount of the 2000 presidential election. More recently, he has drawn scrutiny for work on behalf of controversial figures including Harvey Weinstein and Theranos Inc. founder Elizabeth Holmes.

The internal email said Boies has been spending 10 years transitioning leadership of the firm to the next generation, which is among the most challenging management tasks law firms face.

“Natasha and I are excited by our possible new roles as the firm takes the next step in its ongoing transition to the next generation,” Gravante said in a statement. “While we all hope that David and Jonathan will continue in their roles as leaders of the firm for many years to come, as a result of their efforts the firm is well prepared to carry on the traditions they created.”