backNEW YORK, January 10, 2024–Robert D. Hays, Jr. has been re-elected as Chairman for his seventh consecutive term leading the international firm of King & Spalding. Hays’ next three-year term began on January 1, 2024.
“That the partnership has elected Robert to a seventh term as chairman underscores his vision and unwavering commitment to the success of our firm and all of its people,” said Zach Fardon on behalf of the firm’s Policy Committee. “Robert was first elected Chair of King & Spalding in 2006, that began an era of unprecedented growth and achievement for the firm that continues today.”
During Hays’ tenure, K&S has transformed from a regional firm to become a Top 20 global powerhouse, boasting 23 offices around the world and a team of 1,300 lawyers. In the American Lawyer 100 ranking in 2023, the firm rose to 12th from 42nd in 2006 (by profitability) and to 17th from 38th in 2006 (by revenue). Recently, American Lawyer recognized King & Spalding as the Best Law Firm of the Year at its annual Industry Awards. (More details can be found in the Appendix below.)
“It is an honor to once again be entrusted with the stewardship of this fantastic firm as we look to the next stage in our evolution,” Hays said. “King & Spalding’s success truly has been a team effort by everyone in the firm and reflects the collective grit and dedication of our people on behalf of our clients and the firm.”
Hays is a summa cum laude and Phi Beta Kappa graduate of the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, where he was a Morehead Scholar, and he earned his law degree from Vanderbilt University Law School, where he was selected to the Vanderbilt Law Review and was a Patrick Wilson Scholar.
APPENDIX
Overview of Growth since 2006
During Hays’ tenure as chairman, King & Spalding has continually posted impressive financials and growth.
- Revenue increased 247% from $582m in 2006 to $2.02bn in 2022
- Profits per Partner increased by 260% from $1.3m in 2006 to $4.7m in 2022
- Firm’s footprint transformed from five regional offices (Atlanta, Washington, D.C., New York, Houston, London) to a network of 23 offices across the U.S., Europe, Middle East and Asia
Updates during Hays’ most recent term (2021-2023)
- Launched new offices in Denver and Miami
- Obtained a foreign law licence in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia to expand its work for clients in Saudi Arabia since first establishing an affiliation in early 2007
- Celebrated the 20th anniversary of the London office, the first international office for the firm, which crossed the $100m revenue threshold for the first time
- Promoted 84 K&S lawyers to partnership underscoring the commitment to internal growth and added an additional 97 in lateral partners including Craig Carpenito (New York), Dan Feldman (Abu Dhabi), Mark Kirsch (New York), Mary Olga Lovett (Houston), Randy Mastro (New York), Alicia O’Brien (Washington), Olivia Radin (New York), and Stephanie Yarbrough (Washington).
About King & Spalding
Celebrating more than 130 years of service, King & Spalding is an international law firm that represents a broad array of clients, including half of the Fortune Global 100, with 1,300 lawyers in 23 offices in the United States, Europe, the Middle East and Asia. The firm has handled matters in over 160 countries on six continents and is consistently recognized for the results it obtains, uncompromising commitment to quality, and dedication to understanding the business and culture of its clients. More information is available at www.kslaw.com.
Media Contact:
Micheline Tang
+1 212-556-2301
mtang@kslaw.com