Leadership expansion includes new COO and CFO roles as longtime Executive Director Matthew Gillespie retires
Moore & Van Allen PLLC (MVA) is pleased to announce that the firm has expanded its leadership structure to include a chief operating officer (COO) position and welcomes Elizabeth Satterfield to this role.
MVA’s operations and finance functions were previously the responsibility of Executive Director Matthew Gillespie, who will be retiring after 24 years of service this Spring. Gillespie’s responsibilities will transition to the new COO and CFO roles.
“We are thrilled to have Elizabeth join Moore & Van Allen as our new Chief Operating Officer. She has proven to be a pioneering leader in today’s rapidly evolving legal industry, and her leadership style and integrity align perfectly with our culture and values,” said MVA Managing Partner and Chair Thomas L. Mitchell. “We are excited about the growth the firm has experienced in recent years in terms of number of attorneys, capabilities, practice areas, and attorney development and feel this leadership expansion will allow us to better support the firm going forward. We are also grateful for Matt’s many contributions to the firm over the years, including his leadership in guiding us through these organizational changes.”
Satterfield has held various law firm leadership roles, most recently as Proskauer Rose LLP’s Innovation and Practice Solutions Officer. A former practicing attorney, she has extensive knowledge of legal operations and law firm management, with particular depth in knowledge management, legal project management, pricing, and innovation.
Satterfield is known for her experience in developing client and operational innovations, her focus on business analytics, and her engaging and personable leadership style. She will work closely with Mitchell, the firm’s Management Committee, and team and practice leaders on all aspects of business operations and strategy.
In conjunction with the aforementioned changes, Steven W. Perkins has been promoted to the role of CFO and Stephanie Ward has been promoted to Director of Finance.
“As Moore & Van Allen nears its 80th year of providing dedicated service to its clients and community endeavors, we are looking forward to beginning a new chapter with our expanded leadership team while honoring and maintaining our same values, culture, and innovative and steadfast service,” Mitchell said.
Earlier this month, MVA announced that 15 attorneys were elevated to member, making it one of the largest new member classes in firm history.
About Moore & Van Allen
Moore & Van Allen PLLC (www.mvalaw.com), founded in 1945, has over 400 attorneys and professionals serving clients in over 90 areas of focus. The attorneys at Moore & Van Allen provide sophisticated legal services within nationally recognized Corporate, Financial Services, Litigation, White Collar Criminal Defense, Antitrust, Intellectual Property, Bankruptcy, and Commercial Real Estate law practices for international banks and financial services companies, domestic and global manufacturers, retailers, individuals, and healthcare and technology organizations. The firm has been ranked consecutively over the past 24 years on the prestigious “Am Law 200” list, and U.S. News & World Report and Best Lawyers have recognized Moore & Van Allen in their 2024 “Best Law Firms” rankings, both regionally and nationally.
