Stinson LLP Announces New Managing Partner Allison Murdock

05.11.2020

Stinson LLP is proud to announce Allison Murdock will serve as Stinson's next managing partner. She was unanimously elected by the Stinson board of directors following a year-long institutionally repeatable, corporate governance process. Her term will begin July 2021, at the conclusion of current Managing Partner Mark Hinderks' term.

Murdock currently serves as Stinson's deputy managing partner, a leadership role she assumed in 2010, and she serves on the law firm's board of directors, a position she has held since 2003. As managing partner, she will continue to serve and support the nearly 500 attorneys in Stinson's 13 national locations. Murdock will be the firm's first female managing partner.

"I am honored to be selected as Stinson's next managing partner leading, serving and supporting a talented, client-focused and community-engaged law firm that upholds the legal profession's highest values," said Murdock. "I'm excited to lead the firm as we build on our success. And I am committed to the success of each and every person in our firm as we continue to serve the many legal needs of our clients and communities."

"Allison will elevate our firm's future as a strategic, decisive, resilient leader," said Hinderks. "She has shown that she possesses a rare combination of essential qualities including the ability to thoughtfully synthesize ideas and facts, make good judgements and act even where difficult, with a balance of empathy and resolve. Allison will truly and ably lead our law firm into its next generation."

Prior to serving as deputy managing partner, Murdock chaired one of the firm’s business litigation divisions, and previously chaired the firm's associate evaluation and associate development committees. Murdock was a leading trial attorney in trust and estate litigation focused on defending corporate fiduciaries against claims of fraud, negligence and breach of fiduciary duty arising from the creation and administration of trusts. Murdock was recognized as Corporate Counsel's 2018 National Women in Law Honoree for Innovative Leadership, a 2018 Women's Justice Award recipient from Missouri Lawyers Weekly, named one of Benchmark Litigation's Top 250 Women in Litigation and a Local Litigation Star, and is one of the Kansas City Business Journal's Women Who Mean Business. She received her J.D. and undergraduate degrees from the University of Missouri-Kansas City, and has been at Stinson for 32 years.

Identifying and developing leaders is an integral part of Stinson's succession and continuity planning. In selecting its next managing partner, the firm adapted a corporate governance model which is non-political and repeatable, free of friction, division and internal politics. A 10-person advisory committee comprised of board members and non-board members was appointed and over the course of the year the committee had the important task of assessing and interviewing candidates to provide a final recommendation to the board. With a unanimous decision by the advisory committee and the board, Murdock was selected as the next managing partner. 

"The work of our advisory committee was excellent. The committee was devoted to its task, transparent in its process and in the end, we are excited for what the future has in store with Allison being named our next managing partner," said Shawn Adams, chief operating officer. "This adapted corporate governance approach ensures our succession planning is thorough and transparent, reflecting the firm culture, values, and strategic focus to ensure we continue to deliver the highest level of legal counsel for our clients today, and in the future."