Katten Muchin Rosenman LLP strengthens firmwide talent strategy with the appointment of Lisa Featherson.
Client: Katten Muchin Rosenman LLP | Role: Chief Talent Officer | Candidate: Lisa Featherson
Executive Search Consultants: John Lamar, Sarah Mitchell, Pamela DeLuca
Overview
Katten Muchin Rosenman LLP, a leading international law firm with a strong presence across eight global offices, engaged The Alexander Group to lead the search for a Chief Talent Officer. The firm required a proven executive to drive firmwide strategic initiatives related to executive search, retention, professional development, and overall talent performance.
Key Leadership Need
Katten sought a high-impact executive capable of elevating its talent function across legal and business services. The firm needed a leader with experience managing talent strategy at scale, aligning cultural values with firm objectives, and fostering a best-in-class experience for attorneys and staff alike.
The Alexander Group’s Approach
Drawing on deep expertise in legal executive search, Managing Directors John Lamar, Sarah Mitchell, and Pamela DeLuca launched a national search focused on candidates with a demonstrated ability to lead transformational talent strategies in global law firm environments.
Key steps included:
- Developing a customized search strategy aligned with Katten’s firmwide talent and leadership development goals.
- Conducting comprehensive market research to identify proven talent executives with experience in global law firm environments.
- Evaluating candidates for strategic leadership capability and cultural fit, ensuring alignment with Katten’s entrepreneurial and client-centric culture.
Successful Placement and Impact
Lisa Featherson, previously Chief People and Development Officer, US at Norton Rose Fulbright, was appointed Katten’s Chief Talent Officer. She brings extensive experience in strategic human capital initiatives across law firms, focusing on recruiting, professional development, and retention.
Immediate benefits:
- Unified Leadership Across Talent Functions: Lisa oversees talent development and acquisition, human resources, performance management, professional development and training, leadership programming, and other areas, ensuring a cohesive strategy across all offices.
- Alignment with Firm’s Strategic Objectives: Her role includes spearheading the creation and implementation of a human capital strategy that syncs with Katten’s strategic objectives, enhancing overall organizational effectiveness.
- Enhanced Employee Satisfaction and Retention: Lisa is responsible for maintaining employee satisfaction by managing benefits, fostering a positive cultural environment, and leading compensation efforts, contributing to improved retention and morale.
Insights from the Executive Search Director
“Lisa is a dynamic, strategic, and high-energy talent executive with an exceptional track record of success in large law firm environments. She is the ideal leader to continue elevating Katten’s talent function.”
— Sarah J. Mitchell, Director, The Alexander Group
About Katten Muchin Rosenman LLP
Katten Muchin Rosenman LLP is a prestigious and dynamic international law firm with approximately 670 attorneys across eight global offices. The firm provides full-service legal counsel to a third of the Fortune 100, as well as government entities, nonprofit organizations, and individuals. Katten is recognized for its entrepreneurial culture and commitment to aligning legal service delivery with each client’s business goals.
About The Alexander Group
Specializing in executive search for law firms and financial leadership roles, The Alexander Group delivers strategic, results-driven placements tailored to each client’s unique needs.
Interested in learning more about our executive search services? Contact The Alexander Group today.