McKool Smith has announced that Dallas-based principal David Sochia has been appointed Managing Principal of the firm following Gary W. Eden’s decision to step down from his responsibilities as Executive Director. Mr. Eden will remain with the firm in an advisory role.
“Gary is one of our most trusted advisors and a very dear friend. I could not have asked for a better Executive Director,” said Mike McKool, a founder and Chairman of McKool Smith. “His guidance and leadership has helped us grow from a 13-lawyer litigation boutique in Dallas to a national firm with more than 180 trial lawyers across eight offices in Texas, New York, Washington, D.C., and California. I am elated that he has decided to remain with the firm in an advisory role, and I am very excited that David will be carrying the torch from here on.”
As Managing Principal, David Sochia will assume the responsibilities of Chief Operating Officer and oversee all of McKool Smith’s operations while working closely with the Chairman to develop and execute the firm’s strategic plans. Mr. Sochia joined McKool Smith in September 2000 and has focused his practice on high-stakes patent litigation and complex commercial litigation, including CMBS, business torts, partnership, and contract disputes. He also has extensive experience in intellectual property licensing consulting. He is a graduate of Texas State University and Tulane University School of Law.
“It is an honor to be appointed to such an important role, particularly at a time when our firm, our attorneys, and our practice areas are all stronger than ever,” said Mr. Sochia. “McKool Smith is widely regarded as one of the elite trial firms in the nation and is known for its success in the courtroom and exemplary client service. I look forward to leading the firm and working closely with our principals to ensure that we are positioned for continued success.”
“Preserving the McKool Smith culture was one of our primary concerns, so it was very important that we passed the reins to someone who shared our strongly held values of superior client service as well as respect and fair treatment for all personnel,” said Mike McKool when discussing Mr. Sochia’s appointment. “Not only is David a McKool Smith veteran, he is a person of integrity, compassion, and refined judgment, and he possesses the finest lawyering and leadership skills. I have no doubt that he will be an exceptional Managing Principal.”
With more than 180 trial lawyers across offices in Austin, Dallas, Houston, Los Angeles, Marshall, New York, Silicon Valley, and Washington, D.C., McKool Smith has established a reputation as one of America’s leading trial firms. Since 2006, the firm has secured nine nine-figure jury verdicts, and ten eight-figure jury verdicts. The firm has also won more VerdictSearch and The National Law Journal "Top 100 Verdicts" over the last ten years than any other law firm in the country. Courtroom successes like these have earned McKool Smith critical acclaim and helped the firm become what The Wall Street Journal describes as “one of the biggest law firm success stories of the past decade.” McKool Smith represents clients in complex commercial litigation, intellectual property, bankruptcy, and white collar defense matters.