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William “Bill” P. McElveen Jr. has been elected to Chair the Executive Committee of the law firm of Adams and Reese. McElveen will lead the multidisciplinary law firm with attorneys and advisors located in 16 offices across 15 markets throughout the southern United States and Washington, D.C. The six-partner Adams and Reese Executive Committee oversees strategic operations of the firm as well as its attorneys and staff.

“Bill brings with him years of successful practice and strategic management experience in various roles, all of which make him uniquely suited to Chair the Adams and Reese Executive Committee,” said outgoing term-limited Chair Jeffrey Brooks, who remains partner in charge of the firm’s Washington, D.C. office. “His fresh perspective and hands-on approach will help bolster the firm’s position on its continued path of growth and success across our regional markets.”

“It’s an honor and privilege to help steer the direction of Adams and Reese alongside my fellow partner members of the Executive Committee,” McElveen said. “I look forward to working closely with my partners and the firm’s professional staff to ensure that we continue offering the highest level of advocacy and service to our clients.”

McElveen is the former managing shareholder of Ellis Lawhorne, which merged with Adams and Reese in 2013. Practicing law since 1984, he has a diverse real estate, banking and financial services practice. He has served as counsel for real estate developers in a variety of projects including office and retail development, industrial projects, historic rehabilitation projects, brownfield developments, healthcare facilities, student housing projects, educational facilities and condominium projects.

Partners Robert “Bob” W. Boos of the firm’s Tampa, Florida office and Edwin “Ed” C. Laizer of the firm’s New Orleans office will also join the Executive Committee this year.

Boos joined Adams and Reese in 2010 as part of the firm’s expansion into Florida. As a litigation partner, Boos has more than 35 years of experience handling a broad and diverse range of business litigation matters. He has significant experience in the trial and arbitration of various types of complex commercial litigation matters, including products, construction, real estate and property, banking and securities, health care, contract, employment and probate litigation.

Laizer joined Adams and Reese in 1983. He previously served two three-year terms on the Executive Committee and as a Litigation Practice Group Leader. He has been involved in a number of high-profile, complex mass tort, class action and maritime limitation of liability actions. Laizer focuses his practice on transactions and litigation in the energy, marine, transportation, construction, insurance and commercial arenas, including the defense of complex personal injury and death, property damage and products liability claims, as well as insurance coverage litigation.