Shauna Clark becomes the first woman of colour to hold either position
Norton Rose Fulbright (NRF) has announced that Houston, Texas, partner Shauna Clark has been appointed its global and US chair, effective 1 January. She will succeed Durban, South Africa, partner Andrew Robinson in the global position, which rotates annually across regions. In the US role, she will succeed San Antonio partner George Scofield.
In both roles, Clark will focus on a range of priorities, including development of client relationships, diversity and inclusion, and community engagement.
Currently NRF’s US head of employment and labour, Clark also serves on the firm’s global executive committee and US management committee. She is also a member of the firm’s US diversity and inclusion committee and US racial equality council. She previously served as partner-in-charge of NRF’s Houston office.
“Shauna will expand client relationships with her collaborative nature and bring our firm closer together with her unifying vision,” said Gerry Pecht, NFR global chief executive. “Shauna is the first woman of colour to hold either of these important positions at our firm, as well as the only woman of colour to be chair of an AmLaw 200 firm. Our people and clients will benefit from both her legal prowess and excellent judgment in the courtroom and the boardroom, as well as her invaluable perspective on diversity and inclusion issues.”
“Shauna is a gifted leader, a dynamic communicator and trusted advisor,” said Jeff Cody, NRF’s US managing partner. “As our new global and US chair, Shauna will bring her passion for the firm and her legal practice to client relationships across the US and around the globe. We have many exciting plans for Norton Rose Fulbright, and we are delighted to have Shauna in these roles.”
“My immediate focus is to connect with our clients and grow these relationships through our world-class talent and superior service,” Clark said. “I also will work with colleagues and clients to advance racial equality, diversity and inclusion throughout our firm and the legal profession. Following this year’s traumatic events across the US and other parts of the world, making a positive change stands as even more of a priority, both at Norton Rose Fulbright and throughout our communities.”
Clark has been honoured by several leading US publications, including Savoy Magazine and Profiles in Diversity Journal she was named a 2020 Texas Trailblazer by Texas Lawyer, and this year was recognized by Chambers USA for the 14th consecutive year. Global legal research firm Acritas has included Clark among its Acritas Stars for each of the last four years.
