Kenneth Puhala Elected Chairman of Schnader Harrison Segal & Lewis, LLP

Philadelphia, PA, September 22, 2022 – For the first time in its 87-year history, Schnader Harrison Segal & Lewis, LLP has a Chairperson outside of Philadelphia. Kenneth R. Puhala, who has been a partner with the Firm since 2003, succeeds David Smith, who served as Schnader’s Chair from 2010-2022. The Firm, which was founded in Philadelphia, PA, also has offices in Cherry Hill, N.J., New York, N.Y., Pittsburgh, PA, San Francisco, CA, Washington, D.C., and Wilmington, Delaware, and a formal association with Yang & Co., a law firm in Jakarta, Indonesia. Mr. Puhala primarily practices in Schnader’s New York office and is the Firm’s chief liaison with Yang & Co. in Jakarta.

Mr. Puhala concentrates his practice on complex business litigation and arbitration, as well as litigation and transactions relating to cross-border debt restructurings. For nearly two decades, the focus of his practice has been representing companies in Southeast Asia, especially in Indonesia. That work has taken him there frequently and he will continue that practice and is looking forward to broadening the work that the Firm does for companies in Southeast Asia.

Former Schnader Chair David Smith will continue to practice complex, high-stakes litigation at Schnader and Mr. Puhala praises him for his time as Firm Chair. “David’s contributions to Schnader as a leader and a lawyer are immeasurable and will continue long past his service as our Chair. We have been the beneficiaries of his tireless and selfless devotion to Schnader and all its people for so many years. We cannot thank him enough for all that he has done – and will continue doing – for us. As I move forward with my new responsibilities, I am comforted in knowing that I will have David’s continued and unwavering support and advice.”

Mr. Puhala has unveiled to everybody in the Firm his short-term strategic plan, which places a strong emphasis on Schnader’s core values – substantive excellence, outstanding client service, a work/life balance, and commitment to pro bono, community service, and diversity, equity, and inclusion. Recognizing the Firm’s commitment to DEI, Mr. Puhala noted that it is “consistent with our rich history of being actively involved in many important social justice initiatives, like the Civil Rights movement.” 

Mr. Puhala has set as an immediate goal the Firm’s growth, both in office locations and head count. As part of that goal, he has formed a Strategic Planning Committee that is tasked with setting a pathway for the Firm’s strategic growth.

Ken is excited about Schnader’s expansion and prospects, and the ability that the Firm has had to provide stellar client service in an efficient and cost-effective manner for many years. “I feel incredibly blessed and grateful to have the opportunity to serve as the Chairperson of this amazing Firm. We have first-rate lawyers who consistently achieve excellent results for our clients, in dispute resolution, transactional matters, and estate planning. But, our excellence does not end with our lawyers, as a tremendously talented non-lawyer staff supports everything that we do together as a Firm. I am looking forward to the great things that we will be doing together in the future.”

ABOUT SCHNADER HARRISON SEGAL & LEWIS, LLP

Schnader Harrison Segal & Lewis, LLP is a law firm of 160 attorneys with offices in Philadelphia, Pittsburgh, New York, California, Washington, D.C., New Jersey, and Delaware, and an association with Yang & Co. in Indonesia. Schnader serves local, national, and international clients ranging from large corporations to start-ups and entrepreneurs to individual clients in more than 40 areas of the law. In addition to the Firm’s traditional strengths in complex litigation, commercial transactions, and wealth management, the Firm has significant experience and depth in intellectual property, international commerce, labor and employment, financial services, construction, real estate development, corporate governance, appellate services, energy and environmental, technology-based companies, e-commerce, media and communications, aviation, art, higher education, sports, class action, product liability, healthcare, insurance, criminal law and investigations, business reorganization and creditors rights, and securities and shareholder litigation.

For more information visit https://www.schnader.com/or contact Julie Meyers, Schnader’s Chief Marketing Officer, at 215-751-2541 or jmeyers@schnader.com.