Mackenzie Hughes elects new managing partner

The firm elected attorney Richard Engel for the role. He succeeds attorney Anne Ruffer, who stepped down as managing partner on Dec. 31, after having served in the role for six years.

As managing partner, Engel will oversee Mackenzie Hughes’ operations, chair the executive committee, and guide the strategic vision of the law firm, per its announcement. He joined Mackenzie Hughes in 2003.

Engel concentrates his law practice in business and corporate law, mergers and acquisitions, securities law, banking, commercial development, and IDA financing. He also handles securities litigation and arbitration before FINRA (Financial Industry Regulatory Authority), private securities offerings, and federal and state regulatory compliance relating to securities and corporate governance.

During her time as Mackenzie Hughes managing partner, Ruffer oversaw the day-to-day firm operations, worked in supporting the firm’s various practice areas, and managed its fiscal responsibility.

She also “successfully navigated” Mackenzie Hughes through the pandemic and its many challenges, the firm said. Ruffer has served in the firm’s management since 2007, when she was elected to join the firm’s executive committee.

In addition, while managing partner, Ruffer continued her law practice providing legal services in the firm’s estates department. She will continue her law practice, where she’ll work with clients on their estate planning, estates and trust administration, special needs and elder law planning, guardianships, estate litigation, and related matters, Mackenzie Hughes said.

Besides the change in managing partner, the firm also announced that attorney James Nicoll will serve as chair of the business department. Nicoll joined Mackenzie Hughes in 2014 and is a partner in the firm’s business department.