Allison Murdock Begins Term as Managing Partner of Stinson

07.01.2021

Stinson LLP's Allison Murdock will begin her term as managing partner of the firm on July 1, alongside David Crosby as the firm's new deputy managing partner. Murdock succeeds Mark Hinderks in serving and supporting nearly 450 attorneys in 13 offices nationwide. 

During her term, Murdock plans to focus on strategic growth in current and new markets, cultivating the firm's next generation of high performing lawyers and continuing and expanding the firm's use of innovation to better meet client needs. 

"It's a privilege to serve Stinson as its managing partner, leading and growing a client-focused and community-engaged firm committed to the highest values of the legal profession," said Murdock. "We are proud of all we have accomplished as a firm, and we always are committed to being and doing better. I'm dedicated to the continued success of every individual at our firm, and I'm excited to use my knowledge and experience to collaboratively lead us in to the future."

Murdock was unanimously elected by Stinson's board of directors to serve as managing partner following a year-long assessment and candidacy process. She previously served as the firm's deputy managing partner, a leadership role she assumed in 2010, and has served on Stinson's board of directors since 2003. 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. She has been recognized as Corporate Counsel's 2018 National Women in Law Honoree for Innovative Leadership, named one of Benchmark Litigation's Top 250 Women in Litigation, 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 33 years.

"Allison will confidently lead our firm with thoughtfulness, resolve and strategic judgment," said Hinderks. "She has demonstrated true and selfless leadership skill at every level, and I believe that she and David will elevate the firm, our client service and all of our team members, while continuing our core dedication to community engagement, pro bono work and diversity, equity and inclusion."

Crosby is succeeding Murdock as deputy managing partner, and will also serve as office managing partner for Stinson's Minneapolis office. With a strong background in commercial, estate and trust litigation, Crosby is now looking forward to supporting newer attorneys as their practices grow.

"I am honored to serve alongside Allison in this capacity and help strengthen our firm from within," said Crosby. "We have always had strong commitments to attorney development at all levels of the firm, and I look forward to continuing the success of every attorney and staff member in this role."

With a strong background in both commercial litigation and estate and trust litigation, Crosby has held multiple leadership positions during his 27-year tenure at the firm. He has long served as co-chair of a Business Litigation division and as a member of the firm's associate evaluation committee. He completed a five-year term with Stinson's board of directors in 2019. Crosby's litigation experience includes handling billion-dollar family trust disputes and defending large software manufacturers in multi-district class actions. He has also successfully argued numerous federal and state court appeals for clients across the country. 

As Murdock and Crosby begin their terms, Hinderks will remain at the firm. Serving as managing partner for 11 years, Hinderks steered the firm and its constituents through geographic, financial and practice-specific growth as well as a renewed focus on client service and a deepening commitment to diversity and inclusion. Under his leadership, the firm expanded into Denver and Dallas, and saw the merger of Stinson Morrison Hecker and Leonard Street and Deinard in 2014, nearly doubling the firm's geographic reach and capabilities. 

"These accomplishments show the level of teamwork, dedication and resiliency among our attorneys and staff" said Hinderks. "It has been immensely rewarding to serve Stinson as managing partner, and I am proud to be a part of such a talented, innovative, solution-seeking firm, but the most important day in our 140-year-old history is always tomorrow."