Gardere Wynne Sewell LLP is pleased to announce that Partner Claude R. Treece has been named the Firm’s CEO, effective immediately. Mr. Treece’s previous position, chief operating partner, will be combined with the role of CEO.
“Claude has a strong track record of helping the Firm with numerous operational responsibilities, and his combination of business acumen and legal knowledge makes him a great fit for CEO,” says Gardere Chair Holland N. O’Neil. “In his new position, Claude will continue to work closely with me and the Firm’s board of directors to further enhance our organization’s commitment to excellence and customer satisfaction.”
Mr. Treece will continue to lead Gardere in several key areas, including oversight of directors and administrative personnel, attorney recruitment, due diligence, billing and collections, as well as risk management. Part of his role as CEO will be to ensure that the Firm’s attorneys strive to maintain the highest ethical standards in their practice.
Mr. Treece is a skilled and experienced litigator who has tried dozens of cases to jury verdict in state and federal courts in Texas. He has also briefed and argued numerous appeals in the Texas Supreme Court, Texas Courts of Appeals and the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit.
An avid supporter of Gardere’s community initiatives, Mr. Treece is heavily involved in the Firm’s MLK Jr. Oratory Competition, which he chairs and emcees in Houston. He also leads the Firm’s involvement in the BP MS150, benefiting the Multiple Sclerosis Society.