Bond, Schoeneck & King elects new management committee chair

The Syracuse–based firm’s membership has elected Brian J. Butler as its chair, succeeding Kevin M. Bernstein who served as chair for two four-year terms, the maximum allowed under the firm’s operating agreement.

Over the next few months, Butler will work closely with Bernstein on the transition to his new position of leading the nearly 300-attorney law firm and its 16 offices, according to a Bond, Schoeneck & King news release.

Butler, a litigation attorney, currently serves on Bond’s management committee and is the managing member of the firm’s Syracuse office. He has represented clients in complex business and commercial litigation in federal and state courts, as well as in arbitration in the banking, communications, construction, insurance and securities industries, and also regularly represents governmental and educational institutions.

“I am humbled that the members of the firm put their trust in me and am grateful for and energized by the opportunity to work with the members, all our attorneys and staff to help them do what they do best, which is to provide the highest quality service to our clients to help them prosper and grow,” Butler said in the release. “… [I] look forward to building on Kevin’s achievements by continuing to focus on client service, innovation and growth.”

Bernstein said, “It’s been the privilege of my career to serve as Chair of the Management Committee. In the past eight years the firm has grown, thanks to the dedicated and knowledgeable lawyers we have and the commitment of everyone at the firm to serve our clients. I look forward to working with Brian on the transition and am confident that he will lead the firm with vision and commitment in his tenure as Chair.”

After Jan. 1, 2024, Bernstein, an environmental and energy attorney, will be continuing his practice as a full-time attorney serving the firm’s clients to help them with their environmental and energy issues.