Press Release
Adams & Reese Managing Partner Appoints New Practice Group Leaders and Partners in Charge
Published: Jan 5, 2026
Practice Group Leaders (PGL)
Rob Bethea Appointed Corporate Services PGL: Rob Bethea, M&A Partner in the firm’s Columbia and Charleston, South Carolina offices, has transitioned from his Executive Committee role to leading the firm’s Corporate Services practice. Chambers-ranked in M&A law, Bethea advises clients in a range of industries, including health care, professional services, manufacturing, and many more. He provides counsel on startups, mergers, stock and asset acquisitions, recapitalizations, taxation (he holds an LL.M. in Tax Law), business agreements, corporate governance, succession planning, franchising, securities, finance, and business disputes.
Jim Rogers Appointed Litigation PGL: Jim Rogers, a Litigation Partner in both the firm’s New Orleans and Houston offices, has accepted the role of Litigation Practice Group Leader. With litigation and transactional experience that significantly informs both areas, Rogers represents a wide array of clients in both transactions and litigation related to worldwide exploration, development, production, transportation, and regulation of oil and gas. His business and litigation background combine to help him advise clients on everything from essential contract provisions to litigation strategy.
Partners in Charge (PIC)
Trey Harwell Appointed Nashville Office PIC: Trey Harwell, Partner and Crisis Management Team Leader, will serve as PIC of Nashville following the completed term of Edward Playfair. With nearly 30 years of experience in crisis management, Harwell provides strategic counsel to individuals and corporate clients nationally, helping them navigate crises from routine federal investigations to the highest-profile “bet-the-company” and nationally publicized cases. Harwell is a past president of the Nashville Bar Association.
James McLaren Appointed Memphis Office PIC: James McLaren, Counsel in the firm’s Mergers & Acquisitions group, has accepted the role of PIC for Memphis. McLaren regularly advises developers, commercial lenders, and borrowers on a variety of financial and economic development projects throughout the Southeast, including low-income housing projects, health care facilities, infrastructure, industrial facilities, and sports venues. He takes on the PIC role following the completed tenure of Memphis Litigation Partner Ben Fox.
Hunter Schoen Appointed Baton Rouge Office PIC: Hunter Schoen, Partner in the firm’s Intersection of Business and Government practice, has been named PIC of Baton Rouge. Working closely with businesses, from local construction companies to publicly traded companies, Schoen concentrates on regulatory law, labor and employment, and commercial litigation. He transitions to this leadership role following the completed PIC tenure of Adams & Reese Construction Partner, Susan Eccles.
