Quarles & Brady Announces First Managing Partner Transition

Quarles & Brady LLP has announced that Daniel G. Radler will become the firm’s managing partner, effective Dec. 1, 2016. Fredrick G. Lautz, who has served in the position since its inception in 2007, will continue to support key strategic growth initiatives, including lateral recruitment, following the transition.

Radler will be the second managing partner in the firm’s history. Lautz, the first to assume the role after the unexpected passing of Firm Chair Pat Ryan, has overseen the firm’s significant success and growth over the last nine years, including the opening of new offices in Indianapolis, Tampa, and Washington, D.C. In a release, the firm said his tenure has been marked by a strong commitment to attract the nation’s most talented attorneys, particularly within the firm’s key practice areas, including franchise & distribution; financial services; business law; health & life sciences; intellectual property litigation; and data privacy.

The release continues:

The firm has also strengthened its financial and operational positions as a result of its measured growth under Lautz’s leadership. In addition to opening three new locations, the size of the Chicago office has doubled from 50 attorneys to 110 attorneys today, and the firm’s other offices have experienced significant growth as well.

“Our approach to client service has always been to source talented attorneys in increasingly demanding regional markets and industry sectors, and then build offices around those practitioners,” said Lautz. “Dan is a brilliant attorney and tremendous leader, and I’m excited about the direction in which he’ll be taking the firm over the next several years.”

“Quarles & Brady’s growth has been and continues to be rooted in the legal savvy and client service that is the hallmark of our firm,” said Kimberly Leach Johnson, firm chair of Quarles & Brady. “It’s about delivering excellence and Fred has been a tremendous champion for it, not only in his own work, but in the expectations all of us in the firm extend to each other. Dan carries that same fierce commitment to excellence. His knowledge and experience will continue to advance our focus on new and more innovative ways to deepen our expertise and serve our clients even more strongly.”

As a former engineer, Radler brings a practical solutions mindset to the managing partner role. During his 19 years at Quarles & Brady, he has served in leadership roles that include national chair of the Intellectual Property Practice Group and a member of the Executive Committee.

“I’m honored to be following in Fred’s footsteps, and continuing the growth trajectory and tremendous momentum he has created for the firm,” said Radler. “Additionally, I am firmly vested in building upon the firm’s core values surrounding client service, innovation, diversity and inclusion, and civic involvement.

About Dan Radler

In addition to his J.D., Radler holds degrees in Mechanical Engineering and Mechanical Systems Engineering, adding a substantive level of technical knowledge to his grasp of IP law. Before he became an attorney, Radler spent several years as an engineer designing and testing propulsion systems for advanced technology aircraft, and later working as a project manager responsible for the design and construction of automated materials handling systems and warehouses.

In private practice, he advises clients on all aspects of intellectual property law with a particular focus on patent procurement; patent re-examinations; infringement and validity opinions; and licensing in a variety of disciplines, including materials handling equipment, heavy machinery, manufacturing and molding processes, fluid dynamics, printing technology, hydraulics, seals, bearings, and general mechanical and electro-mechanical devices.

About Fredrick Lautz

Lautz is a corporate attorney by trade but has been fully ensconced at Quarles & Brady’s helm, supervising the partnership, guiding the firm’s strategic and operational growth, and working hand-in-hand with the firm chairperson to chart Quarles’ long-term course. He has maintained a singular focus on the firm’s business objectives, continuously conferring with partners to maintain a strong sense of developing trends and themes and how they inform the delivery of superior legal services

Lautz practices law in the areas of mergers & acquisitions and corporate finance & securities, working with clients of all types and sizes, including financial institutions, mutual funds, and manufacturing, retail, distribution, and professional services companies. He advises businesses on corporate governance matters, buy/sell agreements, executive and equity compensation programs, general operational matters, and securities offerings (including public and private offerings of equity and debt securities). His experience representing mutual funds and investment advisors includes organization and initial registration, board composition and corporate governance matters, regulatory compliance, share distribution structures and relationships, and acquisitions and reorganizations.