Global law firm Ropes & Gray appointed Julie H. Jones the first woman chair in the firm’s 152-year history, effective as of current chair R. Bradford Malt’s retirement in 2020.

Jones will continue to serve on the governing board and as chair-elect in the interim two years, collaborating closely with Malt and managing partner David C. Chapin, as well as the firm’s worldwide partnership in the U.S., London and Asia.

“Julie’s experience navigating complex deals with the world’s largest investors and companies, combined with her leadership abilities and legal acumen make her the perfect person to lead Ropes & Gray into the future,” Malt said.

A private equity attorney, Jones counsels clients on a range of compliance and governance issues and has been recognized by publications such as The Legal 500 as a preeminent mergers and acquisitions expert.

Jones started her career at Ropes & Gray as a summer associate in 1994 and became a partner of the firm in 2003. In 2005, she played a leading role in the $11.5 billion leveraged buyout of SunGard Data Systems by a consortium of leading PE firms. She served as head of Ropes & Gray’s securities and public companies group from 2006 to 2011, focusing on representing private investment funds and public companies in their most critical business initiatives and transactions. More recently in 2017, she advised TPG Capital in its sale of IASIS Healthcare among multiple other transactions.

“Our firm is defined by the amazing talent and client dedication of our lawyers, as well as our teamwork across practices and geographies,” Jones said. “As an M&A lawyer, I’ve had the benefit of seeing firsthand the differentiated results we deliver to clients by bringing together diverse practices and offices in a seamless way.”

Ropes & Gray is a global law firm with more than 1,200 lawyers and legal professionals working in 11 offices.